Superquench as developed by Rob Gunter

5 gallons water
5 lbs salt
28 oz Blue Dawn Dishwashing liquid
8 oz. Shaklee Basic I (a surfactant)

Always stir well before using.

Rinse steel well after quenching, otherwise it will start to rust very quickly.

Only treat mild steel with less than 40 points (.4%) of carbon.

Heat steel to a mild cherry heat 1500 degrees F.

Should harden the steel to about a 40 Rockwell-C

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 16 Dec 2007

Various sources report that the SHAKLEE product BASIC-I is no longer being produced. It has been replaced by product called BASIC-H2. I have not seen any reports comparing how well BASIC-H2 works as compared to Basic-I.

I have also heard rumors that there may still be some BASIC-I available from people who bought up large supplies before it was discontinued. You may have to search to locate those sources.

The product "JET DRY" is also a surfactant. Some smiths have made up batches of SUPER QUENCH using it. I have not seen any reports of how much difference there is between the two formulations.

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 30 Oct 2008