Heat treating machined part

[Sean FloodParticipant @seanflood35785]

Hi,

I have just completed a new toolpost base from my Chester 220, the old base was pretty flimsy, so I have finally finished a 4 bolt pitkin donut style base.

My question… should I attempt to harden it up by heat treating it, it is fairly chunky so I don't expect to bend much, I assume that it may impact some of the dimensions. I have a propane torch but it is 100mm square, it may be difficult to get enough heat into it, another option is to take it to a blacksmith.

Thanks in advance for your comments

Regards Sean

[Sean FloodParticipant @seanflood35785]

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Before you think of heat treatment, consider the grade of steel you used, this will govern the type of heat treatment that can be done. Ian S C

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

Big lumps of steel don't benefit much from any heat treatment unless they are subject to direct wear and you do stand a slight chance of it distorting afterwards. So I would leave alone and get on with using the lathe for more exciting things…

SteveW

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