More food for thought.
First, thanks Doug.
Second, the dropping of the temperature before quenching is only after holding the piece above critical temperature. I've read many references about the processes that use lower temps to achieve color, but, true, it is said it results in colors but doesn't achieve true hardening. In my trials I'll experiment with the process, and since I'm associated with an industrial heat treating company with a lab, I'll be able to report if true hardening occurred. I'll also do a test at consistent low temp as well, (below critical) to see what hardness results from that process.
Is packing in charcoal for annealing really necessary? That's the real question.
I agree, the thread on the Marlin site is great, and is probably the most comprehensive thread about CC info on the Net.
