kimw57•5d ago

My order for a fancy gate hinge felt like waiting for grass to grow

The client wanted a custom hinge with swirls, but each heat treat cycle took ages to cool down right. I swear I aged a year just staring at the forge, praying it wouldn't warp. What's the most boring wait you've had in the shop?

3 comments

3 Comments

kaimiller4d ago

Had to reset a glued guitar neck once. That hide glue sets fast but the clamp pressure needs to hold for a full day. Just sitting there checking the clock, knowing if you rush it the whole thing is junk. Makes you appreciate quick dry super glue for small stuff.

the_mia5d ago

At my last job, we waited 48 hours for epoxy to cure on marine fittings. Ngl, that's just standard shop time. Your hinge cool down sounds like regular heat treat stuff, not some epic wait. Monitoring salt baths overnight was way more tedious.

blair704d ago

Hold on, you aged a year from that? I call cap. Staring at a forge is mind-numbing, but come on. @the_mia's salt bath story sounds way more tedious, honestly. At least with heat treating you can walk away for a bit, but monitoring something all night? No thanks.