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Things You'll Need
Instructions
Case Harden Low-Carbon Steel
Put on a pair of heat-resistant gloves and a heat-resistant apron.
Grip the low-carbon steel with a pair of blacksmith tongs.
Heat the steel slowly over a gas ring or Bunsen burner. Alternatively, use a propane torch, also called a plumber's torch. Rotate the steel to heat it up evenly.
Remove the steel from the heat when it turns cherry red.
Dip the steel in the steel-hardening powder, and stir until evenly coated with a thick layer of powder.
Remove the steel from the powder after 20 to 30 seconds.
Heat up the steel until cherry red.
Dip the steel in a large bucket of cold, clean water to remove the powder.
Scrub the steel with a wire brush, emery stick or emery cloth until clean.
Harden and Temper Carbon Steel
Put on a pair of heat-resistant gloves and a heat-resistant apron.
Grip the steel with a pair of blacksmith tongs.
Heat the steel slowly over a gas ring or Bunsen burner. Alternatively, use a propane torch, also called a plumber's torch. Rotate the steel to heat it up evenly.
Remove the steel from the heat when it turns cherry red. This typically occurs when the steel's temperature is between 1,400 and 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dip the steel into a large bucket of oil. The steel should be held vertically to prevent warping.
Move the steel up and down in the oil.
Remove the steel from the oil when the oil stops bubbling.
Wipe the steel with a cloth to remove the oil after it has cooled.
Scrub the steel with an emery stick or emery cloth until clean.
Heat the steel, starting with the end that isn't used. For example, if you're hardening a steel knife, heat the blade last.
Remove the steel from the heat when it turns an appropriate color. For example, wood turning tools are tempered until they turn brown, springs are tempered until they turn blue, and cold forging tools are tempered until they turn dark purple.
Dip the steel in a bucket of cold water, and remove it when it's cool.