Type of steel

[Tony Zaffuto]

Any toughts on what type of steel was used for old brace screwdriver bits? I have a few that I want to grind to smaller size and then re-heat treat.

Thanks,

T.Z.

[george wilson]

I suspect plain carbon steel was the steel usually used. It was the tool steel commonly used for other tools as well at the time.

[Tony Zaffuto]

That was my original thought, but I thought I would ask. Thinking I'll HT with an oil quench, then when wife is out, put it in the toaster oven for another hour or so at 350 degree.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Went with a gunsmith product called "Cherry Red" to case harden the brace screwdriver bit I ground. Sequence is heat the steel to cherry red, dip into the "Cherry Red" compound (similar to Casenit), re-heat to cherry red and then immediately quench in oil or water (I choose water). I have a number of screws to drive this weekend on some casework, and will post how the bit seems to wear. The product was bought from MSC for about $25.00 per pound, which should last a very, very long time.