Reply You might also want to read our article on how to easily darken stainless steel or blacken stainless steel for more ways to personalize your gear. YouTube - Nitre bluing a few gun parts. My first time wasnt a stunning success. Dont want to get any of the liquid on you its 700F. 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. The salts here will be slightly less corrosive (ie, just the pure KNO3, no lye), but at 600F, you have a big physical risk right in front of you. I am using bronze, is it for a polish? Remove any previous finish. Hardening will cause it to be more brittle, which could cause the hammer to chip and cause injury. (And taking, out of *your* hide). WHERE or when would the torch get used? For more information on using a blowtorch and protecting the steel, scroll down! 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. Work on a metal or steel surface, such as an anvil, to avoid any fire hazards. You should keep guns in a safe, if you can. My advice to people here: Unless youre a professional, and youre working in a shop with all the required safety gear (a cold water shower within a couple feet of the tanks, and an eyewash station next to the tanks, and someone working in the same shop every moment youre working on the salt tanks), DONT. An ideal temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit but it also depends on the manual. Then you sight down the barrel and you see dips and waves in the barrel profile. You heat the outside member only when you do a shrink fit.). Hes claiming that method is more durable than Blue alone. The tank of distilled water you heat with a camp stove, the kitchen stove (Im not responsible for marital discord and disruptions of conjugal relations) or some other much larger heat source to a boil. Bluing is also used in seasoning cast-iron cookware, to render it relatively rust-proof and non-stick. Use hemostats to hold a cleaning patch wetted with the solution and apply in nice, long, even strokes. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. The steel was mild steel and had very little carbon content. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working with hot metal. 4 years ago Bluing is often a hobbyist endeavor, and there are many methods of bluing, and continuing debates about the relative efficacy of each method. Bluing is a passivation process in which steel is partially protected against rust using a black oxide coating. You can make a Caustic Soda KNO3 water bath: 65% Lye (aka sodium hydroxide) Prepare the components of the metal surface before you attempt to blue using your tools. You risk a big fire that is self sustaining by the reaction itself. In comparison, rust, the red oxide of iron (Fe2O3), undergoes an extremely large volume change upon hydration; as a result, the oxide easily flakes off, causing the typical reddish rusting away of iron. And thats about everything you need to know about stainless steel bluing. The blue appearance of the oxide film is also used as an indication of temperature when tempering carbon steel after hardening, indicating a state of temper suitable for springs. I saw you reference a coleman stove and propane tank for heating solution. This crucible was heated to 730C (1,350F) for up to 6hours (the longer the heat was applied the thicker the case hardening). You have to apply the bluing fluid. 4.3 out of 5 stars 242 ratings-30% $12.99 $ 12. After that, slowly and steadily stir the solution in the tank to dissolve the salt. 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. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Pour in For this Instructable I'm using thread cutting oil. Fortunately, this is easily had at any hardware store: WD-40 is a water displacing product, not a lubricant (contrary to widespread advertising). It will instantly vaporize into steam and splash all over you. 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. The hotter the steel, the further the oxygen can diffuse through the oxide coating, so the coating builds thicker before it protects the steel from further oxidation. An iron wire, stainless dipper, and part basket are required to handle the guns components and adjust the bluing solution as well. It can soften up some paints and plastics. A couple bottles of aged bourbon minimum. I plan on doing this on a couple of older beaters first. These work by depositing a coating of copper selenide on the surface. "datePublished": "2022-03-27", It is vastly appreciated even by those of us who will probably never use it. The colours range through straw, gold, brown, purple, blue, teal, then black. The cabinet is then sealed. fascinated with blacksmithing, but have not had an income to even get it started. I believe the change of color is due to a growing thickness of an oxide layer. This is not advisable. Gee, Im thinkin Duro or cero coat maybe even Krylon might be a good enough.. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. | Alpha Detroit", "NRA Family | Gun Manufacturing: Browning vs. Bluing", http://mypeculiarnature.blogspot.com/2014/08/quick-rust-bluing-back-in-black.html, "Radio Kits and Designs for Old and New Styles", "Coating, Oxide, Black, for Ferrous Metals (MIL-DTL-13924D)", "Phosphate and black oxide coating of ferrous metals (MIL-HDBK-205A)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bluing_(steel)&oldid=1142351288, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles that may contain original research from October 2020, All articles that may contain original research, Articles needing additional references from October 2020, All articles needing additional references, Articles lacking in-text citations from September 2014, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Articles with dead external links from July 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 22:58. The process isnt intended for bronze. 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! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Share it with us! Youll need some shop rolls, ranging from 180 to 400 grit (typical 4-packs are 180, 240, 320 and 400 grit, in 1, 1.5 or 2. I am simply trying to learn anything and everything that there is to know about it. Seriously, this is interesting and thank you for posting it, but I hope to never be in a position where I need to use either of these techniques! Alternatively, You could store them in a hard case (like a pelican with a purge) and throw some desiccant packs in there as well. DG thank you. Any more advice is welcome SteelJunkee Joined May 6, 2018 Messages 891 Just remove the blue/rust, degrease, dry, then blue/card/boil-out/oil/drain. Heres instructions from Mark Lee Supplies on using their Express Blue #1. 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. The usual mistake on buffing wheels is using too coarse a compound, and then the wheel becomes quite aggressive in removing material. Now, using the information above, you should have little problem bluing your firearms on your own. 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. You can get a IR non-contact thermometer for less than $20 at Harbor Freight. If a bank transfer is made but no receipt is uploaded within this period, your order will be cancelled. Ill detail why. I wish I had known more about the process, heating (I was working outside on a 60 degree day) I may have to check with my friend to see if it needs reblued again, Im sure he never shot it. Hot blueing salts attack soft solders on guns, so it isnt to be done on old shotguns and some older rifles. Commercial products are widely sold in small bottles for cold bluing firearms, and these products are primarily used by individual gun owners for implementing small touch-ups to a gun's finish, to prevent a small scratch from becoming a major source of rust on a gun over time. Its essential to keep stirring the tank to prevent the forming of hot and cold areas. This article received 28 testimonials and 92% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Theres a reason why I buy up clapped-out guns and stuff where people look at me with a WTF?! This article has been viewed 914,567 times. "I am nearly 16 and can not wait until I have my drivers license. This will keep the bluing from adhering to the sharpened edge. the cost of all the tanks you need for rinse & boil-out Also: Do not allow the solution to run, drip or sag. This is how Colt made their rifles and pistols prior to Civil War you can read all about the process. 2. 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. Hardened steel prevents knife blades from dulling and tools from bending and breaking. Even a fingerprint will affect the consistency of the colour. 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'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. "image": { I had to sand and restain the stock, and sanded the barrel from 120 down to 400 grit the pitting was so bad. Youll want to clamp on the barrel directly under the sight youre about to drift out. -Something to hold your piece with, make sure it's appropriate to hold it with so it doesn't get too hot in your hands. His enthusiasm for handling firearms and hunting gear inspired him to create the Shooting Mystery blog. It is named after the blue-black appearance of the resulting protective finish. It is also used by machinists, to protect and beautify tools made for their own use. I have at least three cold blue solutions in my shop including Oxpho-blue, 44-40 and others. Also thanks DG! I can see my wife walking in and shaking her headabout as vigorously as when I asked if I could use the dishwasher to clean some tools. It, too, must be oiled to provide any significant rust resistance. Then remove it from the degreaser, don't be tempted to wipe it off with anything. "url": "https://shootingmystery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Shootinglogo.png" 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. You wouldnt need salts. Heating it again to a lower temperature will not introduce additional martensite. Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). Wear thick gloves and a face mask before you quench your steel so the water or oil doesnt splash onto your hands. Examples of this finish are common on older pocket watches whose hands exhibit what is called 'peacock blue', a rich iridescent blue. The salts will be a gooey caustic mess while theyre cold, and you MUST have covers on the tank when youre not using them, or the salts will climb over the edges of the tank and make a mess on the floor. As I'm bluing round pieces I slowly and evenly rotate the piece over the flame to equally disburse the heat. Battery acid is childs play compared to blueing salts. Excellent info. OK, now with the sights out and the trigger group off, you can put on the rust/blue remover on the barrel/action. 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 Use a smaller toaster oven if your piece of steel fits inside. The inside barrel was saved by the fact it was so full of lead fouling. I pulled the temp off the top of my head. ", steel". Dont pour water in to your bath! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The part that is to race the other is heated normally up to about 220 especially if it is an aluminum casting like a cylinder head. This is not necessary as long as you can hold your item appropriately and not cover where it is to be heated. Dont leave cold blue solutions around anywhere pets or kids could get at them. "logo": { }. Although the steel parts, such as anOrdains watch hands, are near enough miniscule, each I used Brownells Plum Brown, a product that requires that the barrel be heated to 275 degrees to activate the reaction. For this reason, it is considered not to add any appreciable thickness to precisely-machined gun parts. Cold blueing solutions usually just dont wear well. 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. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Polish to at least 400 grit. I have to finish my M76 and Galil first and buy the materials. Here is a video by Clevinger Customs illustrating it: I use the Brownells nitre blueing salts, which are a combination of sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and potassium nitrate. They have their place, but doing a whole gun with them isnt that place. When you add water to a hot salt tank, you get an explosion of steam, and you need to develop some skill in adding the water with a very fine copper pipe on your water hose to prevent steam blow-outs spattering salts all over you. 8 years ago I've never done anything like this but want to try. Participated in the Explore Science Contest. It was left in a flannel gun case in the back of a moist closet for 25+ years. on Introduction, Hello my name is Joe and Im doing a project where Im trying to achieve the same outcome. How to Blue Bluing Steel Using Oven Or Torch and Oil Method. A non-linear resistance property of the blued steel of razor blades, foreshadowing the same property later discovered in semiconductor diode junctions, along with the ready availability of blued steel razor blades, led to the use of razor blades as a detector in crystal set AM radios that were built by servicemen (as foxhole radios) or by prisoners of war during World War II.[8]. When youre using hot blueing salts, youd better be on top of your game, or you can seriously injure yourself. Hot blueing is a good process, especially if you have a lot of iron to shove through the blueing process quickly. If you have a wood or phenolic handle, use a propane torch to heat the blade only for about two minutes. The content is not meant to be a replacement for professional service advice. Quenching the steel rapidly cools it so the alloys inside harden together. If you do not get crazy and over heat the steel there is no reason to be fearful of the process. One can generally use the same solution to brown as to blue. 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. Whats the difference between Brown Express and Blue Express? 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). Any gun. it washes off with water. On another thread, we can go into nitre blueing, which is basically heating pins/screws/bits/bobs to 600F in a molten salt bath. It will first turn gold, then orange, then red, purple, blue and then dark grey! For most of the time, guns that utilize carbon steel components are the prime candidates for bluing but its totally possible to color stainless steel blue as well. Fume bluing is another process similar to rust bluing. You have a degreased gun, and now you need to get the metal hot enough that the reaction will oxidize the steel as much as possible. Im not responsible for marital discord as a result of gun projects attempted on the kitchen stove. Theyll usually go in from the right, and be drifted out from the left (ie, drifting them from left to the right as the muzzle is pointed away from you). Make sure the piece is chemically clean, sandblasting followed by power wire brushing is good then stop heating when you hit purple because the heat will travel. } 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). Hot NaOH is so alkaline it is great as dissolving organic materials. The color is not oxides, when steel is heated at relatively low heats (300-600 degrees Fahrenheit) it changes colors from light yellow to a deep blue, after 600 it turns back to a steel color. There wasnt a whole lot of pain just yet until my buddy took the safety bottle of vinegar solution used to neutralize the alkaline NaOH salts, and then the pain was there. Now you slide the cold rod in, and the plate cools, gripping the rod. Then, you can put the components back into the bluing tank and increase the temperature until you see the blued steel. It is caused by a layer of oxide that forms when the steel is heated. Question 1. 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. }, 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. Youll get a dark spot right there. Do NOT wipe/touch your metal with anything after degreasing as the whole purpose of cleaning was then for nothing. 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). kitty litter (I would recommend the unused variety). There are also methods of cold bluing, which do not require heat. How do I do this? "publisher": { Also, the results you indicate are typical of still having some oil on the gun. Ive dealt with strong acids and strong bases in lab work, and I fear the strong bases more. It's worth noting that there can be some additives in motor oil that release hydrocarbons when burnt which is a known carcinogens to the body (in other words: Bad Stuff!). Similarly, stainless steel parts may be immersed in a mixture of nitrates and chromates, similarly heated. Use ice cubes. You then oil or wax over the finish when youre done. 1. polish it very well 2. clean very well 3. quick dip in dilute FeCl (4:1) is what I use 4. rinse in cold running water and pat I have cut and polished 4 pieces of mild steel to demonstrate different colour stages. It's easy to get it too hot, too quickly - especially with an O/A or oxy-propane torch. 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). However, if the bluing effect isnt satisfactory, then you can try giving the components an acid bath (using Hydrochloric Acid). Let them cool down as you take a closer look at the bluing effect. If you want to blue something fast I have a cheap hot blue method: Lowes stump remover: Its a pretty straightforward process. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. (You say the rod was heated, but it couldn't have been, as it was on the inside. Isn't the point of the acetone to degrease, why would i grease? What did you use for polishing your pieces and Im guessing you polished then added the chemicals after?Thanks, Joe, Question So I buffed down the barrel with steel wool and started over heating the barrel in the oven before taking it outside to add the solution (which is nitric acid). You need to constantly be adding in a bit of water to bring the boiling point back down into the range you need. Cold bluing is not particularly resistant to holster wear, nor does it provide a large degree of rust resistance. Even at room temperature, the salts are highly caustic and will eat into your eyes or skin in seconds not minutes. For modern uses of black oxide, see, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "How To Remove Rust From A Gun Without Damaging Bluing? Besides those, you must also have water displacing oil and cleaning solution (Dicro-Clean 909). The cross section and size of parts affect the outcome of the finish and time it takes to achieve. Black oxide provides minimal protection against corrosion, unless also treated with a water-displacing oil to reduce wetting and galvanic action. However, due to the unique qualities of stainless steel, you cant simply blue the material however way you like. Rust bluing is also used on shotgun barrels that are soldered to the rib between the barrels, as hot bluing solutions melt the solder during the bluing process. Cold blueing is OK for touchups, at best. Drill bits and gun barrels are common examples. The name of the process actually comes from the blue-black appearance of the black iron oxide. Before operating your torch, read all instructions so you know how to handle it safely. -something to hold your object with i.e. 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 I guess Ill have to just be happy drying toilet paper. Hot bluing is the current standard[6] in gun bluing, as both it and rust bluing provide the most permanent degree of rust-resistance and cosmetic protection of exposed gun metal, and hot bluing takes less time than rust bluing. Ive used this method in a pinch to make a tap from a cheap mild steel bolt to chase out galled female threads. $3.59. Degrease a pad of 0000 steel wool with acetone. Im asking because theres a guy on YouTube recommending Brown Express first, then several layers of Blue over that. Do this outside, so you can do this next part: Just whip the steel wool at arms length to extract the excess acetone. Last Updated: May 13, 2022 WebThe gun bluing process Start with 1 gallon of water and add it to a deep fryer that has been thoroughly cleaned. I have done a cold blue on a very rusted .22 for a friend. JUST DONT. Repeat 3 times. Just take them from the comments he posts. The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Think big scars. You can reassemble the gun after. Some people might not have a tank long enough to contain a barreled action to boil out. 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.. To remove them, you put the action/barrel into a sturdy vise (padded with soft jaws) and you use a piece of brass rod to drift the sights out. Depending on what solution you use, the tank temperature must be maintained somewhere between 240 and 310 degrees Fahrenheit. Wear thick gloves so you dont burn yourself. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. Brilliant blues. When heat treating a forged blade you get the whole knife glowing, then submerge just the blade in the oil for 8 seconds. "https://www.pinterest.com/theshootingmystery/", Dont drop or try to bend the steel once its removed. If everything appears good, then you can transfer the components into a hot water tank. When putting water in your boil-out tank, use distilled water if you have water with high mineral content. You want 0000 steel wool for carding between coats. Put all the components into the tank and wait for 5 15 minutes. Its durable and wears well. it takes a long time to heat up a long (ie barreled action length) tank that is, oh, three barrels wide. Below is a link to a video I found on YouTube that shows the process. Dang it all. Mess. There's also blued hardware available, like nuts, bolts, screws, and hinges. I think DGs method is a lot safer than mine. "Bluing" is the process of oxidizing steel to create a durable, corrosion-resistant layer. *Potassium Nitrate is an oxidizer. Check out the video:https://hackaday.io/project/21947-makers-vise/log/60914-coloring-steel-with-magnetism. If you are referring to torch bluing, the 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. Further, I probably would have used a coarser wet-dry to prep the raw steel (this was a kit Kentucky long rifle) rather than the 1500 grit I used. Rinse them in a cold water tank after. Slow rust blueing can take a week or more to accomplish, but it is a durable blue job like no other. Add the two together and you have what is akin to rocket fuel in your face a way of oxidizing almost any organic material with insufficient water for cooling into a furious flame. We will verify and confirm your receipt within 3 working days from the date you upload it. *700F is very close to the heat treatment temperature of some steels. The parts are then oiled and allowed to stand overnight. 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. I like using acetone to strip the heavy oil on guns, because it lightens up the oils and makes them easier to strip with a water-based cleaner. Thanks, 8 years ago 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 Another good test for determining when the steel is ready is seeing if a magnet sticks to its surface. You can not do this method with Aluminium because it won't reach the temperatures required for bluing, it will just melt. DG should receive a stipend for his valuable contributions to TTAG. The process was to coat the gun parts in an acid solution, let the parts rust uniformly, then immerse the parts in boiling water to convert the red oxide Fe2O3 to black oxide Fe3O4, which forms a more protective, stable coating than the red oxide; the boiling water also removes any remaining residue from the applied acid solution (often nitric acid and hydrochloric acid diluted in water). Woodworkers doing furniture finishing will use 000 and 0000 wool, and they hate oil on their wool for rubbing down oil finishes. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. [ 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.
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