Is 4140 the best to use....

[Sunset Machine]

It'll work fine, but you're making work for yourself with no gains in the end. I'm assuming it's half-hard scrap? I usually anneal the stuff, it's tough and slow to work with even at that. I'd probably prefer a low-carbon hot roll 1018 for a project like yours, or ramp it up to W1 drill rod and skip the heat treating. Stressproof 1144 is pretty nifty too. 4140 would be at the bottom of my list for this one.