Travis Fry
Well-Known Member
I get that you want to do your own HT. You have a kiln, so you can easily do what's necessary. Maybe you cryo too to get that last bit of retained austenite. Good on you, but is it worth it? The MATH:
DIY:
$1.50 per blade for foil
$.10 for kiln electricity (estimated)
$10 for time spent wrapping, moving, and especially straightening each blade (20 min at $30 an hour). You could half this number and it'd still prove the point, but you could also add back the same amount for oppotunity cost of that time, so I'll leave it as is.
$.50 for the amortized cost of all of your extra stainless-specific equipment (dewar, quench plates, argon injection system, whatever)
add: cuts, burns, frustration, and learning curve (which might lead to some inferior blades (note I said MIGHT))
take out: satisfaction in having done something yourself and learned a new skill
Total:$12.10 per blade plus pain, frustration, and uncertainty
Pro:
$100 for 20 blades at Peter's HT. Guaranteed straight, cryoed, and HRC tested (spot checked)
$30 shipping (including time going to the PO)
Total: $125/20= $6.50 per blade, plus guaranteed results.
I used to do my own stainless, but this is why I quit. Just saying.
DIY:
$1.50 per blade for foil
$.10 for kiln electricity (estimated)
$10 for time spent wrapping, moving, and especially straightening each blade (20 min at $30 an hour). You could half this number and it'd still prove the point, but you could also add back the same amount for oppotunity cost of that time, so I'll leave it as is.
$.50 for the amortized cost of all of your extra stainless-specific equipment (dewar, quench plates, argon injection system, whatever)
add: cuts, burns, frustration, and learning curve (which might lead to some inferior blades (note I said MIGHT))
take out: satisfaction in having done something yourself and learned a new skill
Total:$12.10 per blade plus pain, frustration, and uncertainty
Pro:
$100 for 20 blades at Peter's HT. Guaranteed straight, cryoed, and HRC tested (spot checked)
$30 shipping (including time going to the PO)
Total: $125/20= $6.50 per blade, plus guaranteed results.
I used to do my own stainless, but this is why I quit. Just saying.
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