We have switched to making our floats out of A-2 tool steel instead of O-1 steel. The main reason was because of excess warping of the O-1 during heat treating. Even when using a professional service, the steel would distort more than we wanted. After a few samples were made of A-2 and warping proved to be minimal, we switched over.
These are hardened to Rc 50-52, the same as the O-1 was. A-2 sharpens with a file without difficulty and leaves a nice clean finish. Edge retention is just as good or better than the O-1.
One nice result of the switch is that the A-2 retains a nice bright finish without any appreciable oxidation from heat threating.
2 Responses
I looked at your floats and I don’t understand what you would use them for in woodworking.
Thanks
Steve
The floats we currently offer are designed to shape and size the mortise in molding planes. Other applications are working material inside pockets or into corners. Thins trimming tenons or adjusting a mortise for a precise fit. With teeth on only one face, they can work right into a corner without damaging the adjacent surface.