[Jewelry making - Article 00608] - Re: [Orchid] Quenching in denatured alcohol

[Dave Arens]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Hi Gang,

>     Quenching in alcohol sounds like a VERY bad idea....I only quench
>     in water, and even then after it has cooled down a bit.

    The main reason for quenching in alcohol is to get a slower cooling
    rate.  The heat transfer rate is slower in alcohol than in water so
    the thermal shock to the item being quench isn't as great. I've
    never delved into it's effect on grain growth. 

    If the proper container is used for the alcohol there's very little,
    if any danger. I use a glass dish  about 2 1/2"  deep x 4" in
    diameter. The dish has a glass lid that overlaps the sides of the
    bowl. I've had the alcohol catch on fire a time or 2 but not from
    the item being quenched, but  because I got the torch too close.
    It's a simple matter to but out the fire, just put the lid on the
    jar.  It's actually called  a 'glass alcohol cup'. They're available
    in several sizes. I got mine from Progress  Tools in LA,
    progresstools.com . Usual disclaimers, just a satisfied customer. 

    Really all it takes is a little forethought, & knowing what you're
    going to do if the alcohol catches fire. As one of my old manager
    from a previous life used to say, ' Plan your work & work your
    plan'. It works for me! 

Dave

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________