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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Sqirrely on April 09, 2010, 11:31:00 PM

Title: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: Sqirrely on April 09, 2010, 11:31:00 PM

Hey all ,
I've been wondering, after the quench , whats the best way to get the black residue off?

Thanks

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: Emmons on April 09, 2010, 11:42:00 PM

A over night soak in vinager then rinse with bake soda and water.  Might have to srub a little with a scotch bright, but your finishing belts or paper will last a lot longer.

James

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: Wampus on April 10, 2010, 12:08:00 AM

I've got a little 4-1/2" angle grinder that works well and those discs are cheaper and last a lot longer than belts or paper.  Once the hard scale is knocked off I go to the belt grinder.

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: prarieboy on April 10, 2010, 07:23:00 AM

I have a 6" flap wheel on My grinder @ 320 grit.I recomend a respirator too!

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: Sqirrely on April 10, 2010, 09:57:00 AM

Thanks everybody,

I think I'll give the vinegar a try first.

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: skillet on May 05, 2010, 10:57:00 AM

Wire wheel or flapper on your angle grinder. SAVE THE BELTS for grinding after that nasty scale is gone!

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on May 05, 2010, 12:54:00 PM

Vinegar works great and saves on sanding paper and belt costs.  I soak mine for two days and scrub it off with a tooth brush.  Then dip in baking soda saturated water and give a good scrubbing.  This neutralizes the acid and helps prevent rusting.  Another good trick is a bead blaster.  A wire wheel on a 3/4 or 1 hp bench grinder will knock it off as well and leave a burnished finish on the steel.

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: tippit on May 05, 2010, 08:59:00 PM

Jason Knight uses hydrochloric acid 1:4 water in a soak of just a couple of hours...works quite nicely.  Doc

Title: Re: how to get the black stuff off?
Post by: jvholt on May 05, 2010, 11:03:00 PM

I usually do a light hand sanding with whatever grit I finished with before heat treat and quench, but before I temper it. It removes most of the hard black stuff. I also like the vinegar soak. I put a little dish soap in the vinegar and let it sit overnight then nuetralize it and scrub a little bit.