Home made Slow Blue barrel Boiler

[Theditchman]

This is the almost finished Slow Blue Barrel Boiler that I made..It has two Elements instead of the usual gas burner . I have a finished Mk 1 Boiler but it only has one element and although it works good I thought two would be better. I just have to do a little wiring to finish it then I'll post some pics of the bluing process248976248977248978248979248980248981248976

[curdog]

Nice work on that.

[Chill Wills]

Wow! Nice looking job. It is large enough to do really big projects! NICE!

However! From the pictures it looks like it will be tough to keep water in it on its side like that .....;):kidding:

I have a simple barrel pan for the rare job I do on the kitchen stove. As you can imagine, I wait until the lady of the house is not home.

[Theditchman]

I dont know why the pics came out like that....lets try again248984248985248986248987248988248989248990

[LAGS]

Cool tank set up.
By the first set of pictures , I just figured it was for Side Jobs.
Nice work., Way better than my set ups

[Theditchman]

Thats all its for is side jobs...I have been a Plant mechanic for the last 45 years and I retired in march this year...I was chief plant mechanic for the Town of Davie for the last ten years...I have been looking for something interesting to do as I cant sit still and watch the weeds grow or I'll become one of them...Now I am learning all I can about slow bluing..I have many formulas of old English rusting solutions from the old days ..so in the future as I gain knowledge I will start making these and see how they work...I have a 1860 Mortimer shotgun with twist barrels to practice on and see what tools I need...All my T/C Hawkins Barrels have come out very good with one having a few small blemishes..I am not really interested in doing other gunsmith work..I cant be bothered to learn a new trade..but I am enjoying myself and feeling useful once more....I will post some pics of me bluing the next barrel in a week or so

[LAGS]

I just retired in February.
Now it is time to finish all the rifles that I bought back in 2008 to restore or customize.
Working in Construction for 35 years didn't give me much time to do all my projects except for a period in 2008 when everyone was out of work.
Good luck on your retirement , and please post pictures of your projects.

[waksupi]

I use a piece of 4" PVC on end, over a steam pot.

[Theditchman]

I use a 2 pieces of 4" pipe....1.I soak the barrel in a mild acid for about half an hour to remove all previous bluing and the other piece I use for etching a twist or Damascus barrel before rusting

[BPJONES]

I use a 2 pieces of 4" pipe....1.I soak the barrel in a mild acid for about half an hour to remove all previous bluing and the other piece I use for etching a twist or Damascus barrel before rusting

What do you use for etching Damascus?

[Theditchman]

A 16% solution of Ferric Chloride for about 30 seconds

[super6]

I hope this thread gets some travel time, I have wanted to learn to blue the right way. My way of thinking is sodium hydroxide @ about 395 degrees 1 hour, Am I close? As far as acid wash, A 10% hydrochloric solution? To the op..That thing is beautiful!

[Theditchman]

The best person to learn from is LAGs.....He has some great pointers and some good experience...I am still learning myself..next I am starting from scratch on a T/C Hawken barrel..I will document and take pics and post from A to Z


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDCPr3rmkOs

I found this online...you might like it too

[LAGS]

Thank you for your confidence in my work.
The Video you posted from Larry Potterfield is Spot On.
I have not had the chance to do many Damascus or Twisted barrels , but they do look great when finished.

[Theditchman]

The test run....I had an old CVA pistol hawken barrel floating around so I am doing an initial test on that....so far so good

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[Theditchman]

Has anybody tried to remove Blue by soaking the barrel in White Vinegar ??...definitely a cheap way if it works

[LAGS]

I have used vinegar before to remove bluing.
It takes off rust too.
But can make more rust if left on too long
I also used vinegar to do a Rust Patina on a rifle so it looked 100 years old.
But it took weeks to do.
It came out nice, but looked very old and was a great display rifle on the wall.

[BPJONES]

A 16% solution of Ferric Chloride for about 30 seconds

Thanks. I may give it a try.

[Theditchman]

Try it for 15 seconds first....you can always leave it in for longer if its not good

[waksupi]

To remove blueing instantly, brush on some muriatic acid, and then wash with soap and water.

[Theditchman]

cheers.....I'll give it a shot