Your container should be relatively larger than your object. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. This is as deadly as the lye-based hot salts, but more for the temperature of a large batch of salts. The head is fixtured and and an arm holding the valve seat moves the the proper location. Youll want to clamp on the barrel directly under the sight youre about to drift out. I can keep a Krylon can always handy for touch-ups. Isn't the point of the acetone to degrease, why would i grease? Stainless steel can only tolerate hot bluing and a limited amount of chemicals. Submerge in water and scrape edge. I wasnt planning on doing it for a few months. Acetone is also useful for de-greasing the barreled action. After Brownells has steel tanks, and there are some steel/stainless long/thin tanks available from other sources. It was left in a flannel gun case in the back of a moist closet for 25+ years. Colour case hardening occurs when soft steels were packed in a reasonably airtight crucible in a mixture of charred leather, bone charcoal and wood charcoal. My current rifle builds are going to be parkerzied. Either that or the steel wool. What is your opinion of the 2 to 1 lye and potassium nitrate bluing solution? Water is great for rapidly quenching the hot metal, but it could cause thin steel to distort or crack. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Thanks for the lesson, DG. "dateModified": "2022-03-27", Bluing is also used for providing coloring for steel parts of fine clocks and other fine metalwork. : Make sure it is made from Mild Steel or Titanium. This article was very, "I've been working with steel since I was a child, and reviewing these proper methods and skills makes my projects, "It surely educated me on several points. Gas burners can usually do the job for this. Cold blueing solutions usually just dont wear well. "description": "If you want to find out how to blue stainless steel, then you've come to the right place. Often it does provide an adequate cosmetic touch-up of a gun's finish when applied and additionally oiled on a regular basis. Woodworkers doing furniture finishing will use 000 and 0000 wool, and they hate oil on their wool for rubbing down oil finishes. Then, use a pair of tongs to carry the steel to a container filled with water or vegetable, and submerge the hot metal in the liquid. The thickness of the oxide is a function of how hot you heat the steel (The color is due to interference of light reflecting from the surface of the oxide coating, and light reflecting from the oxide-steel interface). The process isnt intended for bronze. Do all the prep you would for express or rust blueing, especially degreasing. "https://www.reddit.com/user/theshootingmystery" Holy crap, did that reaction hurt like hell. It turns out I have. Heating it again to a lower temperature will not introduce additional martensite. Dont mess with hot salts. Below is a link to a video I found on YouTube that shows the process. The rust then turns to black-blue Fe3O4. Gee, Im thinkin Duro or cero coat maybe even Krylon might be a good enough.. The use of stainless steel alloy varies a lot from one manufacturer to the other and thats why the bluing effect wont always be consistent. }. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If youre using acetone to de-oil, dont be afraid to do it more than once. Brand: Logix. Bluing is a passivation process in which steel is partially protected against rust using a black oxide coating. Frequent TTAG commenter Dyspeptic Gunsmith saw the gun above in our postA Garden Gun Cultivates a Newfound Fascinationand answered reader questions about blueing/reblueing a gun thusly: If the rust is very fine and there is still substantial blueing left on the gun, you might want to strip the blueing. This will keep the bluing from adhering to the sharpened edge. In literally 10 seconds on a buffing wheel incorrectly applied, I could screw that up to a point where it might take be eight+ hours of hand polishing to recover my prior results. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Harden-Steel-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Harden-Steel-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Harden-Steel-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1214287-v4-728px-Harden-Steel-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. The color is oxide, but I believe you can scrape it off. $36.73. OK, now with the sights out and the trigger group off, you can put on the rust/blue remover on the barrel/action. Copyright 2023 Flixsterz. YouTube - Nitre bluing a few gun parts. Rust bluing was developed between hot and cold bluing processes, and was originally used by gunsmiths in the 19th century to blue firearms prior to the development of hot bluing processes. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 5 years ago, I found that heating will turn steel silver ~> gold ~> violet ~> blue. That said, heres the truth: The best blueing you can have on a gun is simple, safe to do, but takes a long time. To harden steel, start by heating the metal directly with a blow torch until it turns a cherry red color. I wouldnt use this bluing method for these items. They should send you a stipend for your time. Last Updated: May 13, 2022 The loose oxide was then carded (scrubbed) off, using a carding brush - a wire brush with soft, thin (usually about 0.002in (0.051mm) thick) wires - or wheel. It's easy to get it too hot, too quickly - especially with an O/A or oxy-propane torch. For the process your metal should be nicely polished for the best results.The more shinier the polish the more your end result will glow. Knowledge is the power and fear is the opposite of power it cripples the mind and the body and almost always guarantee's a poor decision will be made. Help 'blueing' with OA torch }, This method was adopted by larger firearm companies for large scale, more economical bluing. Though it may seem tricky at first, youll be glad to have figured it out because knowing how to blue stainless steel will come in handy from time to time. fascinated with blacksmithing, but have not had an income to even get it started. This is all from memory so I might have left some stuff out. Both refer to the same chemical process for providing true gun bluing.[1]. So basically, youll want the rifle in the vise with the muzzle pointed to your left. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Christopher Graham writes all the content and reviews on this site with the help of his team of hunters and shooters. 2 years ago, For the record The gentleman said multiple times that the plastic container shown in the pictures was just for the instructional photos and to be sure that the container is made of metal for this process, (Homer Simpson smacking his forehead: "DOH! If youre interested, just ask and I can provide more details. Follow the instructions. Turn the heat on and give a good regular stirring until it gets very hot and starts to steam. To obtain oil-free steel wool, get some acetone in a container (say, an old, clean yogurt container you were going to throw away anyway). I didnt drop outta my mommas womb being able to do this stuff. Heat the gun parts. WebThe gun bluing process Start with 1 gallon of water and add it to a deep fryer that has been thoroughly cleaned. You want 0000 steel wool for carding between coats. Ive used this method in a pinch to make a tap from a cheap mild steel bolt to chase out galled female threads. The robot gives the steel valve seat a quick blast with liquid nitrogen and drops the seat right in place. Please be careful with the cold bluing solutions. If you dont drain the barrel or action recesses properly before putting a barrel or action into a hot salt tank, then you will find out in a hell of a hurry as the water flashes to steam under the surface and again, splatters hot, highly caustic lye/nitrite salts all over you and your shop. We strongly advise that you only push through with this process if you are absolutely confident that you are able to perform the necessary precautions. If everything appears good, then you can transfer the components into a hot water tank. That seems wasteful. Process that partially protects steel against rust, This article is about the historical uses of black oxide. In place of using a hot bath (although at a lower temperature) chemically induced method, it is possible through controlling the temperature to heat steel precisely such as to cause the formation of black oxide selectively over the red oxide. If you want it smoother/shinier, you can polish up to 600 grit, with wet-or-dry paper. The blueing salt bath will be at about 286 to 292F, and as it is bubbling away, it is losing water, and the boiling point of the solution keeps climbing. Tenifer get's up to (1077F) last I checked and was the 5th step in Glock heat treating after that they Pakerize it. "height": "800", I handed a buddy my wallet and cell phone, and stepped under the safety shower and got wet. Use ice cubes. I ended up with some spots where the browning did not take, and a few dull spots, most of which I was able to buff out with steel wool soaked with gun oil. Bluing is most commonly used by gun manufacturers, gunsmiths, and gun owners to improve the cosmetic appearance of and provide a measure of corrosion resistance to their firearms. His enthusiasm for handling firearms and hunting gear inspired him to create the Shooting Mystery blog. That doesnt happen easily or by accident. on Introduction. For the color change to be uniform you have to remove the grease, oil, paint etc or it looks blotchy. Mea maxima culpa - and I left my comment up rather than delete the thread (for now) just so I could reply and admit the My Dumb, rather than skulk away cleanly >;-), Question Theres nothing I see as super-dangerous about blueing other than trying to do hot salt blueing without all the correct safety equipment and precautions. This will remove all the traces of the bluing solution and other chemicals. I'm trying to be positive and constructive, and think this is: for an amateur to stick a very hot torch-heated metal object into a plastic container filled with oil is simply dumb (ok, more polite: "irresponsible") at best, highly dangerous at worst. I had to sand and restain the stock, and sanded the barrel from 120 down to 400 grit the pitting was so bad. I'm a professional knifemaker and use many very high-temp methods including quenching 1,600F steel in pre-heated oil - I know what I'm talking about, 'cause I still have 10 fingers and my eyesight. It, too, must be oiled to provide any significant rust resistance. The higher temperatures of the other processes as well as their caustic nature could weaken the soldered joints and make the gun hazardous to use. http://cdn.spectrumbrands.com/~/media/Spectracide/Files/MSDS/SpectracideStumpRemoverGranulesSDSApr15.ashx. A couple bottles of aged bourbon minimum. One of the reasons I hand-polish up to 600 and buff only above that is that when you see one of my barrels (by holding it up to a light source, and sighting down the barrel from the muzzle at your eye to the breech out at arms length), you see no dips, waves, ripples, etc. Historically, razor blades were often blued steel. Drill bits and gun barrels are common examples. Always wear goggles and gloves when operating a propane blow torch. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 13 in 1 Metal Shell Welding Torch Nozzle Tip Cleaner For Welder Soldering at the best online prices at eBay! Rinse them in a cold water tank after. Make sure to check every nook and cranny of the components so that you can find any discoloration or blemishes. Next comes the main part. Cold blues will react with steel at room temperature, but you get more aggressive reactions when you heat the gun to, oh, 150 to 200F. How to Hot Blue Steel with a Torch- A Step-by-Step Guide Wear thick gloves and a face mask before you quench your steel so the water or oil doesnt splash onto your hands. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Thats one way to get dyspeptic to write articles! So unless you have sufficient equipment and skill, its advised to let a professional perform the bluing for you. Always back your paper when youre polishing over edges and up against features. This is not necessary as long as you can hold your item appropriately and not cover where it is to be heated. Here is a simple way to get a blued finish on steel. DG thank you. How do I do this? Did you ever find out what oil they were using? Torch Safety is the number one priority so protect your body as much as possible. There's also blued hardware available, like nuts, bolts, screws, and hinges. (And taking, out of *your* hide). At least one of the cold bluing solutions contains selenium dioxide. While still hot and while wearing rubber gloves rub the bluing compound Into the steel with the steel wool. Friction, as from holster wear, quickly removes cold bluing, and also removes hot bluing, rust, or fume bluing over long periods of use. Because so many people are trying to do this sort of thing on the cheap, thats when I start thundering in my warnings about safety. You MUST plug your barrels, gas cylinders, remove your pistons, etc. I can then get the temp to be 600F spot-on in a lead melting pot. Reply You heat the outside member only when you do a shrink fit.). Do NOT wipe/touch your metal with anything after degreasing as the whole purpose of cleaning was then for nothing. "Cold" bluing is generally a selenium dioxide based compound that colours steel black, or more often a very dark grey. 'Browning' is controlled red rust Fe2O3, and is also known as 'pluming' or 'plum brown'. Youre a gunsmith who has a lot of nice guns! Bluing, being a chemical conversion coating, is not as robust against wear and corrosion resistance as plated coatings, and is typically no thicker than 2.5 micrometres (0.0001 inches). Once the steel is clean, you can begin heating it up. References So As one newish to refined firearms ownership, what is the best way to store and protect a pistol or rifle from rusting, especially in areas like Oregon or Washington, Silicon socks, or ? I have done a cold blue on a very rusted .22 for a friend. The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Learn more Steel is a common durable alloy, and while most steel used in tools is already tough, you can harden it even more to prevent wear and tear. The cabinet is then sealed. Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). How to Colour Steel With HEAT : 5 Steps (with Pictures) It is always essential to remove all oils from metals you want to blue, even if the cold blueing solution claims you dont need to do so. If cold bluing is the only practical option, the area should be kept oiled to extend the life of the coating as much as possible. 4.3 out of 5 stars 242 ratings-30% $12.99 $ 12. When youre done and have neutralized & washed off the Express Blue #1 solution, you then should spray down the barrel with water-displacing oil. 8 years ago Usually they would pack the parts in crucibles and surround them with leather, wood, coal,bone etcThey would heat them up to 1200F to 1500F and hold them at this temp. Approved. No. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Remove any previous finish. Still, you will find that cold blues dont last. It provides the stainless steel surface with a layer of protection, giving rust and corrosion resistance while reducing potential glare as well. $3.59. FigureLLC. } Use hemostats to hold a cleaning patch wetted with the solution and apply in nice, long, even strokes. The cross section and size of parts affect the outcome of the finish and time it takes to achieve. It is generally employed on smaller parts such as pins, screws, sights, etc. When everything is set up, put on your protective gear and then get down to business. Technically speaking, bluing is more or less a conversion of red iron oxide (Fe2O3) to black iron oxide (Fe3O4). Once you strip the blue & rust, then you can see what youre dealing with. Degrease and heat the items to be blued in a steel pan to about 700F. I have cut and polished 4 pieces of mild steel to demonstrate different colour stages. You risk a big fire that is self sustaining by the reaction itself. tighter your arc, the less the heat input will be. New guns are typically available in blued finish options offered as the least-expensive finish, and this finish is also the least effective at providing rust resistance, relative to other finishes such as Parkerizing or hard chrome plating or nitriding processes like Tenifer. Various processes are used for the oxidizing process. You can make a Caustic Soda KNO3 water bath: 65% Lye (aka sodium hydroxide) Heres instructions from Mark Lee Supplies on using their Express Blue #1. To heat this, I use a Coleman camp stove and a 15# jug of LPG gas. Step 3: Suspend the components in the bluing solution tank, However, if the bluing effect isnt satisfactory, then you can try giving the components an acid bath (using, Step 4: Rinse the components in a cold water tank then transfer them to a hot one, Step 5: Submerge the components in a tank filled with water displacing oil, Address: 4455 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 114 #852, Fort Worth, TX 76107. The steel is also used for producing great police flashlights with awesome durability. The rod was heated and the plate 2" square was inserted and the rod shrunk onto it. 3. Now you can start.Apply heat to your object and heat up gently and equally. As I'm bluing round pieces I slowly and evenly rotate the piece over You are nitre blueing here. Thank you all who had a part in the production of this important information!
bluing steel with a torch