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Post by motorhead on Jul 9, 2019 22:10:28 GMT 1
I have had a lot of different answers over the years from different mechanics and fitters so I thought I'd post it on here.
If i want to put a 90 degree bend in a ring spanner let's say to get to an awkward fastener and I get the acetylene torch out and heat and then bend the spanner to what is needed.
Do I then. Let it cool down naturally, or dunk it in a bucket of cold water or dunk it in oil in order for it to harden and not go soft as s***?
Thanks
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Post by valhalla on Jul 9, 2019 22:26:29 GMT 1
Oil quench would be the way I would go. This would be a halfway house between letting it air-cool, or hardening it to enbrittlement in water.
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Post by remmington on Jul 9, 2019 22:29:32 GMT 1
Good question...
Your high carbon - case hardened - well semi hard on the outside spanner.
If you...
1. Let is cool down slowly - it will anneal it self - loose some its hardness - but you have only heated the bend - not the working face - best suggestion!
2. Chuck it into cold water - it may crack - or splinter - but you can use there and then as it will be cool. This is what I normally do!
3. Quench it in oil - well your carbon rich spanner does not need any more carbon from the oil - you also got to heat it to the right temp. I never do this - well only when I am reshaping cold chisels - to harden the tip.
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Post by motorhead on Jul 9, 2019 22:39:46 GMT 1
Thanks for your quick replys.
Any preference as what oil to use? Engine oil, duck oil, atf?
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Post by valhalla on Jul 9, 2019 23:04:15 GMT 1
I usually use a light gear oil, mostly because that is what I have around the "hot" bits of the workshop. I usually pour some SAE-40 grade oil from the drum for the lathe gearbox (it leaks like a sieve) into an old grease tin, or something similar like one of Mrs. Valhalla's old saucepans (or sometimes her current ones.....  )
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Post by Noberator on Jul 9, 2019 23:43:26 GMT 1
I usually use a light gear oil, mostly because that is what I have around the "hot" bits of the workshop. I usually pour some SAE-40 grade oil from the drum for the lathe gearbox (it leaks like a sieve) into an(or sometimes her current ones..... ) Mrs Valhalla "Where's me bl**dy roasting tin?"  |
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Post by wheelnut on Jul 10, 2019 0:20:24 GMT 1
While on the subject, what about copper washers? For some reason you need to re-use a copper washer but it's hard and flattened because it has been used before. You need to soften the copper so that it will take the shape of the joint and make a good seal. So you heat it up but how do you cool it?
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Post by chippie on Jul 10, 2019 7:50:21 GMT 1
Cool it in water.....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2019 8:42:15 GMT 1
The spanner modification might prove disastrous! In the old days I used to slightly modify spanners and sometimes angle them up to 90 degrees, however not recently but in the last few years I've tried modifying a spanner or two and found that the manufacturer has changed something in the material structure of some makes of spanners I've used. I've found the spanner when forming to a new shape has broken off.
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Post by remmington on Jul 10, 2019 10:59:14 GMT 1
While on the subject, what about copper washers? For some reason you need to re-use a copper washer but it's hard and flattened because it has been used before. You need to soften the copper so that it will take the shape of the joint and make a good seal. So you heat it up but how do you cool it?
I bought a few years ago a set of 3/8 crowfoot spanners - full set - both open end and flare - not an expensive set - BGS I think. Since I have had these - I find I am bending less good spanners up in to shapes I need. |
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Post by remmington on Jul 10, 2019 18:16:14 GMT 1
I tend these days to have to reduce the width of the open end jaws of spanners to fit into things - more than I have to bend them. So you get an open ended spanner - whack it up against a bench grinding wheel to reduce the jaw thickness - get it really hot - let it cool down on its own - or chuck it into water (because you are in a rush to use it). Then the thinner jaws snap or deform. I SHOULD KNOW BETTER...  |
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Post by chippie on Jul 10, 2019 19:14:12 GMT 1
I tend these days to have to reduce the width of the open end jaws of spanners to fit into things - more than I have to bend them. So you get an open ended spanner - whack it up against a bench grinding wheel to reduce the jaw thickness - get it really hot - let it cool down on its own - or chuck it into water (because you are in a rush to use it). Then the thinner jaws snap or deform. I SHOULD KNOW BETTER... Should you really abuse your tool?  |
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Post by remmington on Jul 10, 2019 19:38:27 GMT 1
I tend these days to have to reduce the width of the open end jaws of spanners to fit into things - more than I have to bend them. So you get an open ended spanner - whack it up against a bench grinding wheel to reduce the jaw thickness - get it really hot - let it cool down on its own - or chuck it into water (because you are in a rush to use it). Then the thinner jaws snap or deform. I SHOULD KNOW BETTER... Should you really abuse your tool? I have been abusing everything for years! Teehee! |
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Post by wheelnut on Jul 10, 2019 19:51:07 GMT 1
Should you really abuse your tool? It's not sinfull if you don't take pleasure in it.  |
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Post by chippie on Jul 10, 2019 20:15:32 GMT 1
Jeez.... You guys crack me up.. |
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