Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Newindian on June 30, 2014, 01:30:27 am

Title: Can you heat treat with no clue what you are doing
Post by: Newindian on June 30, 2014, 01:30:27 am

Would it be worth will to just take your rocks and just bury them under a fire, or is it really necessary to be precise with your temps

Title: Re: Can you heat treat with no clue what you are doing
Post by: Tower on June 30, 2014, 09:47:55 am

I recommend spalling them out first.  You need about 2 or 3 " of sand over them. Don't built a fire that is too big.   I started out small then gradually built the fire up spreading the coals.   This worked for me.  If I built it too big to quick I could hear them exploding .   

Title: Re: Can you heat treat with no clue what you are doing
Post by: cowboy on July 01, 2014, 05:08:51 pm

Like Tower said: a nice bed of sand 2 1/2" to 3" pack it down by walking on it for better heat transfer. start your fire, build it up gradually while spreading the coals. I like to keep piling the wood on all day (gently) till dark then wait two days to dig them up. works great on this tx stuff, not sure about others.
 Or you could simply buy a fifteen dollar turkey roaster: dry for a day @ 200, ramp up 50 degrees every couple hours to max, let soak for a day or so, ramp down the same way and turn it off below 200. Works great but not mesquite flavored. lol..