Removing scale

If you are using hot rolled sheet with a black oxide layer on it to cut blade blanks from, or if you forge blades, this will save you a lot of effort and some money:

Put some swimming pool grade hydrochloric acid in a plastic tray. (Do this outside) Place the blade blank or forged blade in the acid for a few minutes. The acid will eat away the oxides, revealing any slight pitting from the rolling or forging process.

Another reason for doing this is the fact that the oxides are much harder than the underlying steel and tends to clog grinding belts. Chemically removing the oxides will save you the cost of a number of belts in the long run.

This page last edited on Sunday, 01 May 2011

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Drill press squaring • Surface grinder(ish) • Spinning pins • Fitting covers • Removing scale • Superglue