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**Bruce in Texas** · Nov 16, 2016, 03:53 PM

I started up a one-man fabricating business about a year and a half ago after going to community college for two semesters to learn to weld. I build trailer hitches for the rear of 5th wheel trailers so that someone can tow a second trailer. I've purchased a manual press brake and the smallest iron worker manufactured by Geka, along with my welder and cutting tools. Right now I'm in the process of going back to community college for a 3 semester machining course leading to certification. I'm interested in learning to build new tools that I would use in my fabrication business. Right now I'm interested in learning how to do heat treating and am looking at purchasing a small heat treat furnace.

**Jon** · Nov 16, 2016, 07:14 PM

Hi Bruce - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

What kind of tools would you like to build first? Can we help out with any ideas?

**Bruce in Texas** · Nov 17, 2016, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Jon

Hi Bruce - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

What kind of tools would you like to build first? Can we help out with any ideas?

I just got a couple of quotes for A2 tool steel that I want to machine, heat treat and then install in my manual press brake.

**Toolmaker51** · Dec 1, 2016, 09:35 PM

As you may know, A2 is an Air Hardening variety. Brake diesets would require quite a large furnace, not to mention the power requirements. I'd recommend having them processed by a vendor. Usually there is a job queue that will have room for yours to run at shop's minimum charge.

**Enginefitter** · Dec 2, 2016, 05:23 AM

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Engine

**Bruce in Texas** · Dec 2, 2016, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

As you may know, A2 is an Air Hardening variety. Brake diesets would require quite a large furnace, not to mention the power requirements. I'd recommend having them processed by a vendor. Usually there is a job queue that will have room for yours to run at shop's minimum charge.

My press brake is a manual one, which derives it's stroke from a 20 ton hydraulic jack. The blade (top die) is 5/8" material, which is 12" long and 4" wide. I've run into a problem bending flat stock into C sections because of the mounting brackets, so I want to make another blade that will be 5.5" wide. I also want to machine bottom dies to make other than 90 degree bends. Paragon has a furnace, costing about $1,400 that will heat treat all of these items. To purchase just one bottom die I was quoted a price of $2,500.