Reviewer: Chris R.

I rented this video at the same time I rented the one on making springs. They are both really good videos. This was something I hadn't had much experience with and I wouldn't let the fact that it's geared towards gunsmithing turn you off from renting it. The information in this video would be really useful to anyone with an interest in metalworking. Definately good information. It is undoubtably a transfer of a vhs to dvd because you can tell by the quality, but they quality isn't bad and the content is great.

Reviewer: John P.

It's nice to see that this two video set has been released as a single DVD. I bought this set some time ago, and, while I thought the information was really good, I did not think it was good value for money. Now you can rent the DVD, study it and make a few notes and be ready to try the actual processes.

Reviewer: Steven M.

The instructions on this DVD are shown in a very simple and basic form. He makes you feel that there is nothing to it. He gave me a great basic understanding of the processes for small parts. A total PLUS for this DVD.

Reviewer: David R.

The title is misleading but the content was perfect for what I was looking for. I thought it may have a little heat treatment based on gunmaking and casehardening (which is different than heat treatment) based on the video picture, description and title. It is all about heat treatment, oil quench hardening and tempering of knife blades. The 2 presenters (Kim Breed and Gary Wheeler) are knifemakers, not gunsmiths. There was nothing on case hardening or gun parts or Bob Dunlap. That's OK, I was not looking for that anyway! This video was very good. I really enjoyed it because it is very practical for the home garage hobbyist. The video quality is similar to Jose Rodriguez, but the information quality is excellent. I am making a mortise chisel out of O1 steel. I have the steel all ground and ready for heat treatment, but really did not know how to proceed. This video now gives me all I need to know to finish it. They cover heat treatment in an oil bath quench, tempering in a kitchen oven and tempering the shank. They show it done with mapp gas, oxy-acetylene or a homemade forge. They draw pictures with a sharpie on a cardboard box. Even the DVD is burned on an Office Depot DVD with a hand written title on it. It is all based on low cost methods. That is what is nice about garage craftsmen. They don't try to sell you any expensive equipment. They share tips that they use to save time and money. Great stuff. It was just what I needed.

Reviewer: Michael F.

Te knife video was informative and easy to follow. Watch out, the titles are nearly the same - Heat Treating Carbon Steel is the knife video amd Heat Treating Carbon Steel & Case Hardening Metal Parts is for guns.

Reviewer: Michael F.

Great video. Really explained heat treatment and case hardening. Better than the knife video. Between the two, 'Heat Treating Carbon Steel' and 'Heat Treating Carbon Steel and Case Hardening' (yes - the titles are THAT close), get the one with the case hardening. Covers both subjects and the difference between oil hard, water hard and non-hardening steel, how to temper both and how to draw back to a specific hardness. Plus I really needed the case hardening part (building a muzzle loader) and it was great.

Excellent video.

Reviewer: Gary B.

Very informative. It showed how to heat treat simple parts without an expensive furnace. And the section on case hardening showed me what I have been doing wrong. Great video!

Reviewer: Alex S.

Very well done video. Covered all important aspects and demonstrated what he presented.

Reviewer: Michael F.

Excellent techniques and tips, highly recommended to anyone who works in metal projects.

Reviewer: Richard H.

This is a very informative DVD. Mr. Dunlap focused exclusively on heat treating and hardening gun parts; I saw a very unfair review of this which claimed it was mostly about knife steels, but fortunately I chose to disregard that. After watching this video a few times and taking notes, I feel I have a real handle on the hardening process and can do it safely and with a reasonable hope of doing it right. I thought the production values were excellent, chiefly because I was able to actually see the different colors of steel as it becomes heated, instead of having to take the word of the teacher. Also seeing Mr. Dunlap actually do the work is invaluable, plus some really important safety precautions that he mentions as imperative to employ. I would recommend this DVD as required viewing if one is thinking about heat treating steel.

Reviewer: Greg M.

Bob did a good job on this one too. His humor, however, is still just a bit dry. Good coverage of both topics, video quality is pretty good. The colors show up good enough that you can follow along easily. I would liked to have seen a better coverage of where the different types of metals are used.

Reviewer: Gerald B.

Good basic usable information suitable for the hobbyist.

This was my first experience renting from SmartFlix. It's a great concept.

Reviewer: James C.

Got a lot out of treating small parts, mainly the case hardening. For me, this video filled in a lot of small tips/details glossed over in other covering of the subject.

He got into a lot about the "why", not just the "how".

The second part is very informative. You get to see more metal treating work.

A bit hard to follow, mainly how to test what kind of steel you have. I stuck with it and took notes, it ends up being very helpful.

Reviewer: Steve M.

This video is excellent. It's essential for anyone who wants to learn about hard casing steel.

Reviewer: Warren V.

Great video with a very knowledgeable instructor and comprehensive teaching on heat treating. I had no idea how much was involved in heat treating/case hardening but also I didn't know how easy a lot of it is to do when you are taught by someone like Bob Dunlap. He is a wonderful instructor and covers the subject thoroughly with real-world applications. This video will teach anyone new to the craft how the process works and how to apply it for your own use. Highly recommended!

Reviewer: jon r.

I rented this for the case hardening part. I was a little disappointed because all that is covered is using Casenit compound which is a powder you dip the part in while it is hot. As I understand it, Casenit doesn't harden the part as deep as packing the part in a carbonizing compound and heating it in an oven for several hours. Since all that is covered is using Casenit, of course color case hardening isn't covered. It is only mentioned as something that is beyond most gunsmiths. Still, while only Casenit was covered, I think the instructor did a good job explaining how to use it is various situations.

The heat treating part was good, but it was very basic. If you have never heat treated something before this would be useful.

I learned some things, but I am glad I only rented it.

Reviewer: Arthur M.

Bob Dunlop is a very good instructor. He is also a legendary gunsmith.

Reviewer: Dennis K.

great .........................................................