Serface harden your dies?

[Grimstod]

I want to make my own dies soon especially for some of my favorite wildcates. Should I or could I get them surface hardened(case hardened)? I know that when you harden a die it can warp and I am wondering if surface hardening them would minimize warping.

 

[Toolbreaker]

Nitriding will induce the least amount of material movement because of the relatively lower temperatures involved (~1000*F, IIRC), but I refer to that in the context of growth/shrinkage during and after the process. That being said, considering the length/diameter ratio of a standard reloading die, I wouldn't think that warpage would be an issue using an appropriate air-hardening tool steel and proper heat-treatment techniques.

 

[DaveTooley]

Carburize and ask for a thin skin. Always worked for me. To deep and they become brittle.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have hardened my dies. Red hot, quench in oil. Not hi-tech but it works. Harrell's dies are hardened and work great. I say try it (its free) and if you dont like the results then send them out for nitriding or carburizing.