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Author Topic: making a screwdriver from a file  (Read 7488 times)

chuck-ia

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making a screwdriver from a file
« on: July 07, 2011, 01:29:22 AM »
I cut a couple inches off the tang of an old file, ground a tip to fit my lock screw, broke the file in half leaving enough for a handle. Do I need to take some of the hardness out of the file so it isn't so brittle? I was thinking of putting it in some charcoal and just let it set till the coals go out and cool? Advice? thanks, chuck
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Offline Long Ears

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Re: making a screwdriver from a file
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2011, 02:08:16 AM »
You do need to temper it back it will snap the tip off on a tight screw. Been there done that. The second one I forged the tip and quenched, then I put it in my lead pot at about 275 degrees with molten lead around it for about 3 hrs. I then let it air cool. So far so good. Good luck, Bob
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Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: making a screwdriver from a file
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2011, 04:15:13 AM »
Or you can find a small can, put the screwdriver in it and pack it with play sand. Then put it in a pre-heated 300 degree oven for a couple of hours then let cool.
Dennis
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Offline Clark Badgett

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Re: making a screwdriver from a file
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2011, 04:26:12 AM »
Quote from: Long Ears on July 07, 2011, 02:08:16 AM
You do need to temper it back it will snap the tip off on a tight screw. Been there done that. The second one I forged the tip and quenched, then I put it in my lead pot at about 275 degrees with molten lead around it for about 3 hrs. I then let it air cool. So far so good. Good luck, Bob

How on earth do you get lead to melt at 275 degrees.
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Offline Long Ears

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Re: making a screwdriver from a file
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2011, 05:22:09 AM »
Sorry, missed that temp setting! Hot molten lead. I will check the setting a little closer. Bob
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camerl2009

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Re: making a screwdriver from a file
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2011, 12:44:04 AM »
Quote from: Clark B on July 07, 2011, 04:26:12 AM
Quote from: Long Ears on July 07, 2011, 02:08:16 AM
You do need to temper it back it will snap the tip off on a tight screw. Been there done that. The second one I forged the tip and quenched, then I put it in my lead pot at about 275 degrees with molten lead around it for about 3 hrs. I then let it air cool. So far so good. Good luck, Bob

How on earth do you get lead to melt at 275 degrees.

lead melts at 325C or so with tin added it lowers it
« Last Edit: August 26, 2011, 11:52:24 PM by camerl2009 »
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Offline bjmac

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Re: making a screwdriver from a file
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2011, 08:47:38 PM »
Tim who? ???       and doesn't he dislike the hot lead? ;D
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