: My idea of a fun read is sitting down with a good how-to book and thinking
: about the cool stuff I could make. Tool Making for Woodworkers by Ray
: Larsen is such a book. I don't want to pick up Metalworking as a hobby but
: it's good to know I could do a bit of custom metalwork if I had to.

: Anyway, the book: It's only 150 pages so you can read it in a few sittings.
: It goes through all the varieties of Steel and their distinct properties
: (the from 10,000 ft view), hardening and tempering. And, does so in a
: surprisingly concise and enjoyable manner. It's got a chart of the color
: of steel at temperature and a chart of the color of tempered steel (blue).
: The rest of the book has to do with forges, forging and otherwise
: misshaping hot metal. I don't know if I'll get into that but it's
: enjoyable to read how it's done. There are 'smiths that make forges out of
: barbeque grills

: I'd say it's a useful book to have around the shop and even a good jumping
: off point if you want to dabble in Blacksmithing. It's a good mix of
: brevity and detail. Two thumbs up.

Having an understanding of how tools are made and how steel is tempered
is valuable in knowing how to treat and handle your own tools.

Simply knowing that steel is hardened by placing a heated piece in water or oil
and will turn soft if let to air cool will make you understand why an edge tool
will loose it's temper if overheater during sharpening and left to air cool.

Thanks for the review!

All the best,
Rob