b'\x1b\x1a\x19 \x1f\x18\x1d\x17\x16 Machinists CornerCASE HARDENING DO-IT-YOURSELFBy Brandt Taylor hardness. For example, I get partsnumbers.that require a case 0.003" to 0.005"The process is simple.I f you make steel tools like I do,thick and 62 HRC. I would not try to1. Heat the area to be heat-treated sometimes a hard surface is indo that with the Cherry Red pro- to a cherry red color.order. There is a way to case-hardencess, but if I make a tool or die for in- 2. Coat the red area with the steel that is inexpensive and quickhouse use and want a case with anheat-treating compound. When I do and can be done with an acetyleneHRC above 55, then Ill use it. the end of a punch, I put some com-torch as the heat source. It uses aThe heat treater that I use has apound in a tin can and plunge the powder called Cherry Red that islot charge of $150. If I want a casetool in. Use a well-ventilated area or, available from tool supply houses. on the end of a punch that is 0.75"better yet, do it outdoors because I use a heat-treating companydia., I can do that with my acety- it gives off ammonia fumes when to do the work if the part requireslene torch for about $5 of materialthe compound is heated. Cherry a certain depth of the case andand 10 minutes of time. I like thoseRed comes in a plastic container, so You dont need much to get started.B. Taylor10JANUARY 2023 MachinistCorner.indd 10 12/15/22 11:39 AM'