Nitre Bluing Salts Question

jhiggins

jhiggins

Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Messages
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Anyone know the melting point of Brownell's Nitre Salts? I just looked online and it didn't say.
 
jhiggins said:
Anyone know the melting point of Brownell's Nitre Salts? I just looked online and it didn't say.
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Jeff, I don't remember exactly, I have my stuff at the shop. It's around 220 or 240F. I have the whole scale of the colors for the temp ranges if you want that also. When I ordered my salts, I didn't want to get the big expensive set-up for bluing rifle barrels, etc, so since I wanted to blue folder blades, bolsters, screws, back spacers and so on, I ordered one of those neat lead melting machines for about $60 or so. The pot isn't very large, but handles what I need it for. The range of the machine is from 0 to well over 700, which is the range of the nitre blue salts.
Let me know if you want the specifics. We're getting all ready for your appearance here in January.
RH
 
Nitre Bluing salts color steels and melt at between 400 and 600 deg F. At the lower temp you will get bronze and gold colors. At the higher temps you will get blues and or purples. If your bluing damascus you can sometimes get a rainbow effect depending on the composition of the steel. I just bought some so I have the instructions ect if anyone needs them.
Chuck
 
Jeff
The salts become liquid at about 275 F and has an operating range of 300 F to 900 F.
With my thermometer I find I get a nice blue at 620 F. I have found that no two thermometers will give the same readings so you have to learn the temps for your own equipment.
I might also point out that the bluing temp is well above the tempering range of carbon steels so be carful.
Good luck
 
Pete said: "I might also point out that the bluing temp is well above the tempering range of carbon steels so be carful."

Right, I effectively produced a spring temper on my folder blade. Not good, but was pretty w/the nickel in the damascus.
 
Thanks for the help, guys. I'm working on something TOP SECRET! I'll show you guys when I get done.

rhrocker said:
We're getting all ready for your appearance here in January.
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Not lookin' good, bro. Wifey is talking Grand Cayman again. I'll work on her. :(
 
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