Yes, what Wilton said is right. It depends on the alloy also. In tool steels there are oil quenching and water quenching steels. I know the alloy on a BMW motorcycle frame is a fairly exotic alloy with a specific temper. I'd be afraid to do anything to it. A VW shifter is likely not as exotic of an alloy, but it still might be different that what we normally encounter in the US. As has been discussed, quenching will make it hard and brittle. in tempering tool steel, after the steel is quenched, it is reheated to a temp (or a color) If you end up quenching it and want to be sure it is not too brittle, I'd suggest putting it in an oven at 350-375 for a half hour or so, then letting it air cool. That should reduce the brittleness enough. You could probably go to 400 to make it a little less brittle.
For a tool like a chisel, you want to soften the shank and leave the blade straw colored. that keeps the shank from snapping , but keeps the cutting edge hard. You might want to try straightening it cold first. At 08:38 PM 6/19/2008, you wrote: >Dunking (guenching) it makes it harder - hold an edge better, not wear away >as easily, but may make it more brittle, too; may break more easily. > >Cool slowly in air makes it softer, more mallable; work it, file it, form it >more easily; not snap/break as easily, but may bend more easily. > >Wilton > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Allan Streib" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 9:17 PM >Subject: Re: [MBZ] bending steel pipe > > > > "Tom Hargrave" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > > > > You will not be able to completely straighten the pipe by hand. > > > > Assuming I can straighten it to my satisfaction, should I then dunk it > > in water, or let it cool naturally. Or will it make any difference? > > > > Allan > > > > -- > > 1983 300D > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com Loren Faeth _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
