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Jake Wilson





Joined: 08 Sep 2009

Posts: 11

PostPosted: Wed 09 Sep, 2009 2:57 pm    Post subject: charcoal burning temps.         Reply with quote

Hello,

I am preparing to build a "charcoal heat treating pit" in order to heat treat 1060-1095 carbon steel. Does anyone here know the approximate burning temperature of a sitting charcoal fire? Is this enough to get the steel to the appropriate temps for quenching? Or is forced air blowing a necessity? I know it needs to be in the neighborhood of 1500 F or thereabouts depending on the steel.

I'm curious as to the fire temp of the non forced air fire to determine about how much air will need to be used to increase the temperature. Also, when preparing the fire, how do those here determine when the fire is hot enough to place the steel in the fire to prepare it for quenching?

Thanks.
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Jason Dingledine




Location: Aurora, Ohio
Joined: 18 Aug 2003

Posts: 219

PostPosted: Wed 09 Sep, 2009 7:46 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

You'll need forced air of some sort or another. Either via an electric blower (even a hair-dryer will work), or a bellows.
Jason Dingledine
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Arne Focke
Industry Professional



Location: near Munich, Germany
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
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PostPosted: Thu 10 Sep, 2009 4:20 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Depends on the quality of the charcoal.
In most cases you will need some assistance from forced air.
Only the highest quality charcoal will work without, but its almost impossible to get.

So schön und inhaltsreich der Beruf eines Archäologen ist, so hart ist auch seine Arbeit, die keinen Achtstundentag kennt! (Wolfgang Kimmig in: Die Heuneburg an der oberen Donau, Stuttgart 1983)
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R D Moore




Location: Portland Oregon
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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PostPosted: Thu 10 Sep, 2009 7:43 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

A variable speed hair dryer could be taped to a length of pipe connected to your tuyere for your blower. And there are lots of ideas for simple forges on the internet so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting started.
"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation" ...Gen. Douglas Macarthur
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Jeroen Zuiderwijk
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Location: Netherlands
Joined: 11 Mar 2005

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PostPosted: Sun 20 Sep, 2009 1:24 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Depends highly on the shape and size of the charcoal, how the air can flow in, insulation etc. In principle, a free burning charcoal fire can reach 800-1000C. But if the charcoal doesn't get enough oxygen, it can cool down. At any rate, it helps if the charcoal can draw air from below, and if the charcoal is large enough in size.
Jeroen Zuiderwijk
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