Heat Treating Transfer Punches

[ConnerSmith]

Hey guys. I wanted to buy a set of transfer punches for really cheap but I noticed that the cheap ones only last a few blows before the points get rounded off. So, for the blacksmiths/metal workers, I wanted to know if I could heat treat them myself to harden them up a bit, and if so, how? Thanks!

 

[AL`]

I'm not an expert, but I did make a cold chisel and punch in HS metal shop. I wonder if the problem with the cheap ones is the heat treatment, or the steel used though? We used high carbon tool steel. To heat treat, heated it evenly with a torch to glowing red and quenched. That hardened it and you have to be careful not to drop it because it's brittle and will shatter. Next, heated it again to the color of straw/wheat which tempered it.

 

[BD1]

I just bought the harbor freight set for 9.99 and used a 20% coupon off of that.
The box says lifetime warranty. Just return them when they break or get dull.
http://www.harborfreight.com/28-piece-transfer-punch-set-3577.html

 

[GSteg]

The type of heat treat will depend on what material you're working with and the properties you're wanting to achieve. Not all metals will respond well to heat treating.