Book excerpt: Improper heat treatment of tool steels can lead to shorter tool life, higher incidences of metal fatigue, dangerous procedures, and expensive errors. To avoid these costly mistakes, leading expert Bill Bryson takes the mystery out of tool steel heat treatment by presenting a clear, practical approach to common techniques and applications. This easy-to-understand book is ideal for toolmakers, machinists, and engineers. It takes a comprehensive look at common heat treatment procedures used in shops around the world and provides detailed instructions for all types of tool steels.