Im not responsible for marital discord as a result of gun projects attempted on the kitchen stove. There can be different layers you have to apply. DIY Gun Bluing But since this was my first project, with an inexpensive kit as a learning tool, and as I intend to do this again with a much more expensive kit, my trials and errors and your voice of experience will be very useful the next time around. For more information on using a blowtorch and protecting the steel, scroll down! The melting point for KNO3 is 633F. I can keep a Krylon can always handy for touch-ups. Pour in some acetone, and while wearing rubber gloves (dishwashing gloves are OK), put in a pad of 0000 steel wool, swish it around and pull it out. If the solution is still boiling vigorously, then you can expect the bluing to happen naturally. With a simple heating and quenching process, you can make your steel last for much longer! I have at least three cold blue solutions in my shop including Oxpho-blue, 44-40 and others. on Introduction, looks nice but you are using what is known as heat treatment which will darken steel, not using bluing salts as in gun bluing of rifle barrels all in all very nice instructable, Reply The only way to do that is to heat it until the metal de-magnetises, quench it again, and then temper to the desired hardness. I am using bronze, is it for a polish? These include hot bluing, cold bluing, niter bluing, and so on. All About Bluing Steel Stainless Steel Necessary Gears and Tools Procedure Step 1: Ready the bluing tank Step 2: Process the components of the gun Step 3: Suspend By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. NaOH is nasty stuff. Initially case hardening was used but did not offer any aesthetics. Water is great for rapidly quenching the hot metal, but it could cause thin steel to distort or crack. It is named after the blue-black appearance of the resulting protective finish. Always wear goggles and gloves when operating a propane blow torch. {"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>"}. Technically speaking, bluing is more or less a conversion of red iron oxide (Fe2O3) to black iron oxide (Fe3O4). I use kerosene to wet my paper from 500 on up. When youre using polishing paper, you think that 600 grit is very fine, and it is taking you hours to polish out something to 600. You risk a big fire that is self sustaining by the reaction itself. Then the crucibles would be removed from the furnace and placed over boiling hot water and air would be bubbled through the water and the parts would be dropped into the water. To harden steel, start by heating the metal directly with a blow torch until it turns a cherry red color. Craig, torch bluing is a real thing that has been use a lot in the custom gun world, mostly for screw heads but even for complete muzzle loader creations ( the vendor will be quite proud of his work it seems as cost increases considerably to a finished item). It is hazardous. The easier of the two methods, hot bluing only requires some degreasing agent, a heating apparatus (a blow torch is perfect for this), and any kind of oil. You can make a Caustic Soda KNO3 water bath: 65% Lye (aka sodium hydroxide) "mainEntityOfPage": "https://shootingmystery.com/blue-stainless-steel-beginners/", Remove any previous finish. 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. The mixture is heated to 310 to 321C (590 to 610F) and the parts are suspended in this solution with wire. Oil-free steel wool is also sold by woodworking shops. How to Blue Stainless Steel in 5 Easy Steps: Complete Guide Large scale industrial hot bluing is often performed using a bluing furnace. Keep posting like this. Answer To heat this, I use a Coleman camp stove and a 15# jug of LPG gas. Use hemostats to hold a cleaning patch wetted with the solution and apply in nice, long, even strokes. This process leaves a deep blue-black finish. steel The "hot" process is an alkali salt solution using potassium nitrite or sodium nitrate and sodium hydroxide, referred to as "traditional caustic black", that is typically done at an elevated temperature, 135 to 155C (275 to 311F). You might need two applications to clean up more deeply rusted spots. Haha. 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. This is often achieved without chemicals by simply heating the steel until a blue oxide film appears. The book claims they used wait for it "boiling gasoline" not making this up to clean them. Now you slide the cold rod in, and the plate cools, gripping the rod. I learned something slightly different than what you are teaching and that is I am willing to pay people like you to do this kind of stuff for me. In fact most guides no matter their material cast iron to bronze and often bearing races are installed the same way. Bluing is a process usually used by gun owners and firearms manufacturers to improve the aesthetic value of their weapons. Most knives, rifle receivers and barrels are heated to at least 1200F and cooled and drawn at 490F-700F. I guess Ill have to just be happy drying toilet paper. OK, Buffing wheels, which Im making their own break-out response from the blueing salt issue: Buffing wheels are useful things in a gun shop. the cost of all the tanks you need for rinse & boil-out That seems wasteful. Acetone is also useful for de-greasing the barreled action. Before you start, it might do you well to mark the sight base on each side of the dovetail with a Sharpie marker, so you can see when the sight begins to move. 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). I have also had good results with 5w/30 motor oil, I've also used two-stroke oil with good results. 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. Being prepared is important if you can not measure the temp. High temperatures and dangerous chemicals mean that a moment of carelessness can make you pay a heavy price. The ideal setup is a pair of long sleeve gloves along with splash goggles and a face mask. Thanks a lot for sharing. This article has been viewed 914,567 times. While the rod may heat some by conduction, it wouldn't get hot enough to start the color-forming process. Fill a heat-safe container with water or oil deep enough to submerge your steel. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. While I am certain that I could do it myself, you already have all the bits and parts and stuff so it is worth my dollars to buy a gunsmiths time to have this done for me. Work on a metal or steel surface, such as an anvil, to avoid any fire hazards. The cabinet is then sealed. Thanks for always being so willing to share, Sir. This is not necessary as long as you can hold your item appropriately and not cover where it is to be heated. Metal Wear thick gloves and a face mask before you quench your steel so the water or oil doesnt splash onto your hands. Share it with us! So you will get a shinier finish. It will instantly vaporize into steam and splash all over you. blue steel Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). Theres a reason I didnt pursue a career in chemistry. WD-40, as mentioned earlier, is a water-displacing oil compound not a penetrating lube, and for preventing rust, WD-40 actually works pretty well, but it doesnt last like cosmoline or waxy oils used for long-term rust prevention. Depending on what solution you use, the tank temperature must be maintained somewhere between 240 and 310 degrees Fahrenheit. How to colour steel with heat (hot oil finish) is a simple but effective way of achieving a desired colour of choice.The colours are fantastic and often come out in a beautiful two-tone shine. How to remove discoloration from heat? - Forums - Miller Welding Its much cheaper anyways. Color case hardening is the predecessor of all metal coloring typically employed in the firearms industry. It's easy to get it too hot, too quickly - especially with an O/A or oxy-propane torch. Heat the gun parts. To shrink, I assumed you heated the steel plate only, to expand the hole in it. "url": "https://shootingmystery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/How-to-Blue-Stainless-Steel-in-5-Easy-Steps.jpg" Both refer to the same chemical process for providing true gun bluing.[1]. Just take them from the comments he posts. "@type": "Article", Think big scars. How to Harden Steel: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow The steel is also used for producing great police flashlights with awesome durability. Bluing may be applied by immersing steel parts in a solution of potassium nitrate, sodium hydroxide, and water heated to the boiling point, 275310F (135154C) depending on the recipe. 8 years ago Next, suspend the components in a cleaning solution tank to get rid of dirt, oil, grease, and crud. Bluing is also used in seasoning cast-iron cookware, to render it relatively rust-proof and non-stick. I have cut and polished 4 pieces of mild steel to demonstrate different colour stages. [4], Bluing can also be done in a furnace, for example for a sword or other item traditionally made by a blacksmith or specialist such as a weapon-smith. So unless you have sufficient equipment and skill, its advised to let a professional perform the bluing for you. Similarly, stainless steel parts may be immersed in a mixture of nitrates and chromates, similarly heated. Heat the gun parts. It provides the stainless steel surface with a layer of protection, giving rust and corrosion resistance while reducing potential glare as well. It cannot rust any further. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Gun companies dont/wont do it because they want to make quick money, and today its all phosphates and bake-on appliance paint (you didnt think a guy who calls Glocks cheez-whiz was going to sing the praises of Duracote or Cerakote, did you?). This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. If you have very light, fine pitting, you can polish this out. However, oil may spill and create a fire hazard if the steel is put into the oil too quickly. Brilliant blues. Bluing involves an electrochemical conversion coating resulting from an oxidizing chemical reaction with iron on the surface selectively forming magnetite (Fe3O4), the black oxide of iron. You can make your own desiccant packs with kitty litter (I would recommend the unused variety). Safety notes: Dont use an aluminum pan. Ive learned a LOT. this produces better, less turbulant gas flow, which will reduce heat traces. Hopefully these concepts suggest caution and diligence for what you are doing. How to Blue/Re-Blue a Gun - The Truth About Guns Todos los derechos reservados. DG should receive a stipend for his valuable contributions to TTAG. You turn up your nose at crap guns? Also remember, by adjusting the heat you can get whatever color you want. Approved. Shooting Mystery is reader-supported. Ive gotten hot blue salts on me splashed into my hair. 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. Cold blueing solutions usually just dont wear well. You might be able to start at 320 grit. Your container should be relatively larger than your object. Heating white, degreased steel to 550 to 600F results in brilliant colors. Follow the instructions. Blue Metal Shell 13 in 1 Welding Torch Nozzle Tip Cleaner For Welder Soldering. Just use distilled water. 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. "Cold" bluing is generally a selenium dioxide based compound that colours steel black, or more often a very dark grey. The actual temperature of the steel depends on the carbon content inside. 3 years ago. 2. Dont mess with hot salts. very easy way to get a blue finish on steel - Fit and Finish Its a good process for processing lots of guns, but I simply cannot recommend it for people who just want to do a gun here or a gun there.. You can get a IR non-contact thermometer for less than $20 at Harbor Freight. If your barrel has heavier pitting, now were into filing to remove pitting, and thats something I cant teach people in mere text. I used Express Blue #1 on lots of guns, where I want something less labor intensive than slow rust blueing (which I wont describe here): most steel wool isnt oil-free. That would be a hot salt blueing mix. gas coverage is another big one. These minerals (often calcium and magnesium compounds) tend to result in blotchy and uneven results. SO, DG; unless I missed it, I am assuming the torch is used separate from heating the tank/ container with the boiling solution. Should something happen, seek medical help right away. I saw you reference a coleman stove and propane tank for heating solution. Degrease a pad of 0000 steel wool with acetone. Hot bluing should never be attempted on aluminium, as it reacts it usually dissolves in the caustic salt bath. Hot blueing salts attack soft solders on guns, so it isnt to be done on old shotguns and some older rifles. It is one smoooooth profile, from one end to the other. 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. Either of these two methods is called 'hot bluing'. Often it does provide an adequate cosmetic touch-up of a gun's finish when applied and additionally oiled on a regular basis. This will remove all the traces of the bluing solution and other chemicals. Question Its for mild steel, which must be greased, oiled or otherwise coated with something to stop it from rusting almost immediately. Modern home hobbyist versions of this process typically use a hydrogen peroxide and salt solution, sometimes with vinegar, for the rusting step to avoid the need for more dangerous acids.[7]. Before operating your torch, read all instructions so you know how to handle it safely. I like 1.5 wide shop cloth myself). FigureLLC. If you have a wood or phenolic handle, use a propane torch to heat the blade only for about two minutes. 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. Its durable and wears well. You need to adjust the boiling point of the salts for your altitude. this article statement The downsides are: the safety issue, which I laid out above, and which youve made clear. -An old container filled with your chosen degreaser (unleaded petrol), -Your desired polished metal object/s (very important! Get it Feb 25 - 27. When everything is set up, put on your protective gear and then get down to business. The potassium nitrate will liquefy at around this temperature and blue your items at a relatively quick speed. Keep them in that state while you heat them but be sure to not boil up the tank. What I forgot to mention in all of this is a detail that seems mundane, but it critically important: Wear cotton gloves. Even with safety glasses and a full-face shield, a rubber apron, rubber boots, etc it is possible to get salts into your eyes and all over the rest of you. RF: Expect a write-up from me on Rust blueing and parkerizing in the next couple of weeks. Heat the Steel. 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! If there is any finish left on the metal, it will interfere with the bluing pr WebStep 1: Preparing Your Materials You will need: -2x containers (one of them preferably being metal for the oil) -oil -unleaded petrol/Acetone/Terpentine/Rubbing alcohol or any good (Its Crystalline Potassium Nitrate 100%) $6.18 When the liquid stops bubbling, remove the metal from the container and wipe off any excess liquid. I have in the past few years became more and more. You should put the brass drift (which you can make out of a piece of brass rod about 1/4 in diameter) on the sight base, and then start tapping the end of the drift with a small hammer. This is how Colt made their rifles and pistols prior to Civil War you can read all about the process. Life is good. Very helpful! I dont use hot salt blueing because much of my work is on older double guns, which have ribs that are soft-soldered into place. Copyright 2023 Flixsterz. That can be a pen torch (pictured), a blow torch, a heat gun, a gas hob (which I am going use) or anything that will provide you with enough heat. By using our site, you agree to our. How to Blue Bluing Steel Using Oven Or Torch and Oil Method. Oxides come after its been heated to a red heat and cooled. If youre using acetone to de-oil, dont be afraid to do it more than once. Drop a piece of hot charcoal in it and it will burn in the absence of any atmosphere as the nitrate provides the oxygen for the reaction. Torch Another good test for determining when the steel is ready is seeing if a magnet sticks to its surface. Christopher Graham writes all the content and reviews on this site with the help of his team of hunters and shooters. Thank you, DG! on Introduction. Its oiled in production to keep it from rusting on store shelves. When youre done and have neutralized & washed off the Express Blue #1 solution, you then should spray down the barrel with water-displacing oil. on Step 1. When polishing something like the above rifle/shotgun, youve got a pretty light coat of rust, without severe pitting. Cold blues will I heat treated a piece of carbon steel to make it less likely to wear (using its edge as a cutting surface in a wood turning application). A Garden Gun Cultivates a Newfound Fascination, AZ Judge Dan Slayton Refuses to Reduce $2m Bail in Flagstaff Campus Self Defense Case, State Judge Issues Order Blocking Enforcement of Illinois Firearms Ban Act Statewide, Protecting and Serving: Springfield, IL Police Seized Homeowners Gun After Investigating Her Report of a Prowler UPDATED, Chicagos Failed Mayor Lori Lightfoot Loses in Reelection EffortBadly, http://www.lowes.com/pd_188198-316-HG-66420_0__?productId=4764059, http://cdn.spectrumbrands.com/~/media/Spectracide/Files/MSDS/SpectracideStumpRemoverGranulesSDSApr15.ashx. Again, dont mess around with these chemicals and only handle them with extreme attention. Best Gun Bluing The cotton gloves insulate your fingers from the heated barrel, and they prevent oils from your skin from getting on the raw steel. For hazzalandy: carbon content has nothing to do with the color process, it is only the temperature you heat to, and to a lesser extent, the time spent hot. The plate turned blue just like you ible and I was told this was an effect of compression fitting.the rod didn't change colour even though it had the heat applied to it so was it actually the compression fit that changed the plates colour.
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