Condensed Suggestions for Steel Workers #251004

Upon breaking the tap, the grain will be coarse and the steel brittle. To anneal any piece of steel, heat it red hot; heat it uniformly and heat it through, taking care not to let the ends and corners get too hot. As soon as it is hot, take it out of the fire, the sooner the better, and cool it as slowly as possible. A good rule for heating is to heat it at so low a red that when the piece is cold it will still show the blue gloss of the oxide that was put there by the hammer or the rolls.