Anyone know how I can harden home made skids?

[BayouMan]

OK TBN metal experts.
I have just finished making repairs to my bionic blade. My brother and I fabricated this double blade box blade about 12 years ago. I had not really paid any attention the skid plates over the years, obviously, and the skid plates were completly worn through and even the 1/4" banding, that the skid plates were attached to, had nearly worn through. I have made the necessary repairs and have made the new skid plates out of 2" wide by 3/8" thick steel.

What I need help with is how do I harden the skid plates? I don't have access to a furnace to heat the steel. I do have an oxy/acetylene rig and a rosebud. Can i heat up portions of the steel and quench it with water, or is there another way to do this.

Attached are some pictures of the box before repairs.

 

[BayouMan]

Here are some pictures after repairs and the new skid plates.

 

[sal64]

hello you cant you need oil hardend tool steel then you can harden with torch, i have made maney punches that way, reg steel needs to be case hardend they heat it red then quench it in a power but you need a heat treater for that i tried casehadening myself once didnt harden right .

 

[Egon]

You could also lay on some hard face rod.

Tempering may not help much as the iron does not have the proper components for wear resistance.

 

[ramoffroader]

Egon said it best. Hard surface the skids with welding rod made just for this purpose. Wont take you a hour and will last quit a while. When it starts to wear down just resurface it. I hard surface buckets all the time. Really improves the wear and tear.

 

[Sledgie]

If you can wear out 3/8 steel I salute you. You can't harden mild steel to any degree, but you could weld some hard facing on the leading edge, or keep an eye on it and when it starts to wear just build it up.

 

[BayouMan]

Egon said it best. Hard surface the skids with welding rod made just for this purpose. Wont take you a hour and will last quit a while. When it starts to wear down just resurface it. I hard surface buckets all the time. Really improves the wear and tear.

Ramoffroader,
I had wondered about using those rods before. Sounds like this may be my best option.

Sledgie,
I have graded many a limestone and gravel driveway as well as countless loads of sandy topsoil. Takes a toll. Guess I'm going to have to watch closer for wear in the future.

Thanks to all of you for your help so far.

Mike

 

[BayouMan]

Egon,
Looks like all of you are recommending using hardening rods. The skid plates are 4' long by 2" wide. Do I need to cover the entire surface with a bead?

Mike

 

[Egon]

Not an expert or even really knowledgeable but I think you would want to lay down beads crossway's on the skid. and maybe one the full length of the skid. Cross spacing I'd guess at about one and a half inches??

The idea is the spacing holds dirt between the welds so there is no wear there and cuts down on the amount of rod used..

 

[BayouMan]

Egon,
Thanks. I see the concept of the spacing and I like the idea of not having to cover the entire area with weld metal.

Mike