Thread: Cutting a die

I've modified a few dies and found it best to anneal them first espescially if you need to drill or ream them.
Heat it up with a propane torch red hot and hold it there for a few mins then drop it into a tin half full of crushed charcoal then cover it completely in crushed charcoal and leave it cool slowly for about an hour.
It will then be soft enough to machine. To re harden it you need to get it red hot again and quench it in canola oil. No need to re temper it after hardening.