Color Case Hardening

[Old Ford2]

I am fitting a steel butt plate to a stock.
The problem, the butt plate is color case hardened, if I heat the the butt plate to bend it, will I damage the finish?
I could cold bend it, but I believe it will bend better heated.
Any help will be appreciated.
Old Ford

[Dave B]

Yes you will ruin the finish by heating it hot to the point you can make the change. I know its a PITA but slowly working the wood away from where its preventing the butt plate from sliding into position, will eventually allow for a perfect fit with out having to bend, beat  or twist the metal. If it truly is casehardened and you really want to change its shape you would be better off to anneal the piece to take away the hardness of the surface skin. If you don't soften the metal I think you will run the risk of cracking the plate where you are going to be adjusting it. Then send it off to have it re-color case hardened. Or do it your self. There are several here that have posted how they go about doing just that with very good results. You can find this in the archives.  The only problem with doing this is that you will run the risk of the plate twisting durring the quench and your right back where you started with a plate that is not fitting. Good luck

[Metalshaper]

Yes, Heat will take away the case coloring..

IMO..  If you have to do more than a lil tweak, I'd anneal it and then try to go from there.. because if it's hardened,< and not just case colored >  bending cold could result in cracks?

Respect Always
Metalshaper

[Dphariss]

If its case hardened bending may crack the case.
If its simply colored with no hardening then it should bend.
Annealing will destroy the color.

Dan

[Old Ford2]

Hi Guys,
Thank you to all of you.
It did confirm my suspicions, I was hoping to reheat, bend and set in place.
RATS!
Old Ford