pnut Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 I just watched a guy make a bracket for a chest on a woodworking show. He submerged it in simmering hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore for about ten minutes to rust it then cleaned it with denatured alcohol. He proceeded to submerge the piece in simmering distilled water for a few minutes which turned the rust a bluish black color then added a coat of wax while warm from the distilled water bath. Has anyone seen or used this method for coloring cold worked steel? It seems like an easy way to age or color steel in certain situations. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Yes, this turns the red iron oxide (hematite, Fe2O3) to black iron oxide (magnetite, Fe3O4). Rusting a piece and then boiling it is a classic method of forcing a patina. The Japanese in particular are known for using a preparation of daikon (radish) for the rusting part. Someone I know through Facebook was just talking about doing this with a pressure cooker, which seems like a bit of overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 I hadn't seen it before and thought it might be of interest. Yes a pressure cooker does seem unnecessary. It worked pretty quick in just a pot on a hot plate. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 I have an old book on blueing and browning of steel: Firearm Blueing and Browning; R.H.Angier 1936 "with over 230 formulas for chemical and heat colouring of gun metals and for other processes -- rust removal, barrel finishing, nickel plating -- with practical instructions and notes." Typically with old sources SAFETY IS THE READERS JOB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 14, 2019 Author Share Posted October 14, 2019 I'll have to find a copy or take a look for a digital file. It sounds interesting. Thanks Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Waste good daikon radish on bluing? I mean, I love metal, but waste potential Korean carrot and daikon? Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
671jungle Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 On 10/14/2019 at 11:53 AM, pnut said: I'll have to find a copy or take a look for a digital file. Hard copies run from $50-almost a grand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Think I paid a buck for mine way back when...We cruise old used book stores on vacations for FUN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) I know a guy who found an original poem handwritten by Rudyard Kipling in a used book of poetry he bought at a tiny bookstore in Covington KY. Some folks have all the luck. Pnut Edited October 22, 2019 by pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 I knew a fellow who found an old leather-backed book holding up one corner of a refrigerator in a used restaurant supply company. It was clearly marked "Volume One", so he argued (successfully) that he shouldn't pay a premium for an incomplete set. They settled on $50. And what book was it? The original printing of the Congressional Record! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Does it record any duels? I think I'd be less disgusted with politics if the news occasionally reported a duel. I hope that wasn't over the line but if it was . . . Censure me, I can take it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 I think people would be much nicer to each other if the threat of a duel was a real possibility. I'm all for it. Unfortunately being considered dishonorable doesn't carry the stigma it once did so there's nothing to compel the offender to accept the challenge made by the offended. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anachronist58 Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I think that if we diverge, now, from this subject, all will be good. Whilst I would love to chime in, I will, instead, mention that I have read that General George Washington discouraged the practice of dueling. Robert Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Gentlemen, Firstly, Mr. Taylor, I shall not presently, diverge from said topic. The SLAG Accepts all challenges to a duel. And as the challegee, he has the right to choose the weapon and details of the "affair of honor". His stipulated request is always, fragmentation grenades at twelve paces. Seconds are permitted to take cover. Now I shall desist from further comment upon said topic. Regards, SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Let us return to the original topic about a peroxide finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 Sorry about that Glenn, it kinda took a couple left turns. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzle Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 This is of great interest to me. Does anyone of a picture of what this looks like when done to an item? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 All of the hooks I tried it on have been given away. It's basically a black oxide finish. You can try it out on a small piece of steel. It's really pretty quick to do. It looks like a forged piece that's been coated with BLO and wax while hot. If you're going to be forging the piece it's really not necessary as it will be black anyway. Just coat it with an oil/wax finish at a black heat. Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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