quenching oil

[pork chop]

I have heard that automatic transmission fluid is a good quenching oil. Has anybody here ever used it. If so how does it perform? Wal-mart has it for ten bucks a gallon. I bought 3 gallons of. Should I return it before I open it or will it be ok? I bought it on impulse because of the price and availability. Any thoughts or input will be appreciated.


Thanks
PORK CHOP

[Wade Holloway]

It depends on what metal you are using, but yes it can be used. What are you using to make your knives with?

[AcridSaint]

For the money you spent you could get your hands on some industrial quench oil. What steel are you using with the oil?

[pork chop]

Simple carbon steels, 1080 & 1095.

[AcridSaint]

You can get 11 second quench from mcmaster-carr for ~$15/Ga 2ga should be enough for starters. Some would prefer a faster 7 or 8 second quench on the 1095, but the 11 second will work much better than ATF and will work great for the higher maganese 10xx steels like 1080.