[QUOTE=oldsewnsew;6742708]... So what do I need to do, heat it cherry red and dip it in water, machine it, reheat it and let it cool slowly?/QUOTE]
reverse the sequence.
Steel and Brass/Copper are opposite when it comes to hardening and annealing (softening).
Steel Hardening:
Heat to dull cherry, quench in appropriate material(depending on steel alloy used could be air, water, or oil)
Steel Annealing:
Heat to cherry, allow to cool as slowly as possible (usually I use a pail of sand and immerse it in that)
Brass/Copper Hardening:
Heat to cherry, allow to cool as slowly as possible (usually I use a pail of sand and immerse it in that)
Brass Copper Annealing:
Heat to dull cherry, quench in a water