Hot Blueing

Alan Folts

Alan Folts

Joined
Oct 4, 1998
Messages
427
Okay, how do I get set up to hot blue damascus and such, I love the colors and cold blue just doesnt give ya the same effect. Does it take a lot of heat? Is there shortcuts or tips? can I make my own basin and heater? And where do i get the chemicals??

I know nothing of the process so any ideas would be appreciated!

Alan...


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If a Man talks in the forest, and there is no Woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
 
Allen
brownells sells the salts. They recommend a iron tank not ss for gun blue.
They have several sizes that are cheap compared to what it costs to make one.
The secrest I have found is several different types of steel in one billet that heat treat about the same for good colors.
Just a point in rc hardness will make a difference in color. Also run the salt at just under the recommended temp.

Good luck



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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com
 
Not to mention corrosive! remember, Blueing is merely controlled rusting. If you blue anywhere near steel , you will experience rust. Good ventilation or a separate room is the best prevention for having to use bad language when your 300.00 micrometer gets rusty.
 
If i were you, especially where you live, i would find a local gunsmith who is known to be good at it and take it to him, if it comes already polished, degreased and ready to dip it will be cheap.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
This is for all interested makers. I have a hard to find book from long ago that has the formula listed for pretty much every color of blueing ever used. If you are looking for any info feel free to contact me.


Regards,

Tom Carey
 
Tom how about posting the formulas or giving us a place to look at them
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Try using an old gas barbeque for your heat source. Make sure you can keep the heat steady and regulated. Used BBQ's are cheap compaired to what the regular setup's cost.
For small knives you can use a half loaf cast iron bread pan. They sell them at Cracker Barrel resturants believe it or not.
Next go to the library they should have a few books on gunsmithing that will help.
 
allen
I don't know if this is what you are looking for but a cold dip that works great is, a dip called TOOL BLACK
it is avaible at MSC I saw it used on
a video by Ricky fowler
hope I have been of some help
 
Thaks for all the info guys! So if I built myself a burner to heat up my tank with, how hot would this stuff have to get to work? I am just trying to figure out the variables to see if I can do this myself or if I will have to buy the peices I need to make the tank and such...

Thanks again! Alan...

PS anybody have the # for Brownells? or do they have a website?




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If a Man talks in the forest, and there is no Woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
 
There's an old recipe and instructions in the back of the Dixie Gunworks catalog that works very well. I reblued some BP revolvers with it, real nice deep blue. If you want it let me know and I'll dig it up for you. Heat is critical. get a good thermometer with a steel or glass probe, aluminium doesn't stand a chance.

[This message has been edited by LRICE (edited 07-10-2000).]
 
The first book (in a series of three) published by Brownells called Gunsmith Kinks will regail you with every good story about bluing, browning and metal finishing you ever wanted to know about
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The recommended temps for caustic soda bluing are in the area of 290 to 300 degrees depending on where you happen to live (altitude and humidity are critical factors).

If anyone is interested, it's possible to blacken/blue stainless steels with a product also available through Brownells called Oxy 84. We've had a lot of good results with this material blackening Mr. Rugers' SS rifles. Think I may try it on some of my 440C blades if I can get a good reliable heat treater in this area to do the work.

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath
 
I was discussing blueing with a South African knifemaker who related to me a way to obtain a gold color with stainless steel. He claims that heating Salt Peter to 450 deg celcius aprox 842f and dipping the knife in momentarily will give it a very nice gold color and it is suposed to act like bluing does. I have no idea what efect it would have on the temper but I did examine a blade treated this way and it was very attractive.

 
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