I finally tried quenching in used motor oil for a tough steel and the results were wild

Working on a big axe head from 5160 steel, my normal canola oil quench just wasn't getting it hard enough. The edge kept rolling after a few test chops. Out of ideas, I filtered some old 10W-30 from my truck and tried it. The quench was way more violent, lots of smoke, but the file just skated off after. I tempered it at 400 for two hours and it's holding an edge like a dream now. But I've heard guys say used oil can cause cracks or inconsistent hardness. Has anyone else run this experiment and found a sweet spot, or is it just asking for trouble?

3 comments

3 Comments

willow7321mo ago

Well, at least your axe won't need an oil change for another 3,000 miles.

nancy27515d ago

True... my axe just needs a sharpening now and then, and it doesn't judge me for forgetting. My smart coffee maker, though... it sent me a push notification last week saying it was feeling "neglected" because I used the manual button. Felt like I was being scolded by an appliance.

emma_jones211mo ago

Yeah willow732, that's a solid point. At least the old tools don't come with a monthly subscription. Saves a lot of hassle in the long run.