OP
Arquebus357
Member
Thanks for that information because I thought all hot dip bluing was the scary 600 degree type. I would welcome a better bluing procedure than rust bluing, express or not.
S&W Model 64 4" to 3" Barrel
- Thread starter Arquebus357
- Start date
You can do professional grade hot bluing at home. Without getting into great detail about polishing, I will say I polish the metal parts by hand using finer and finer grit abrasive paper until everything is smooth. Only then do I do a slight power buffing for the final polish. LEAVE THE DREMEL OFF THE BENCH!!!
When bluing only small parts, I use a tank I made from an old 50 caliber ammo can. That way I don't have to use a full size tank, which is much more work to set up. For heat, I use an old camp stove. Here are pictures of some black powder revolver parts I blued last year...
When bluing only small parts, I use a tank I made from an old 50 caliber ammo can. That way I don't have to use a full size tank, which is much more work to set up. For heat, I use an old camp stove. Here are pictures of some black powder revolver parts I blued last year...
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Checking the progress. The cylinder is just about ready.
The Colt barrel is next. Here you can see the iron wire used to suspend the barrel in the tank. Parts must not be allowed to touch the tank or the blued finish will be discolored.
the third pictures is a basket of small parts ready to go into the tank. Use only black iron tanks, wire, parts baskets, etc. NO STAINLESS ANYTHING or you will get discoloring.
The Colt barrel is next. Here you can see the iron wire used to suspend the barrel in the tank. Parts must not be allowed to touch the tank or the blued finish will be discolored.
the third pictures is a basket of small parts ready to go into the tank. Use only black iron tanks, wire, parts baskets, etc. NO STAINLESS ANYTHING or you will get discoloring.
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Here is the Colt barrel immediately after coming out of the rinse tank and dried off, but before being oiled. At first the finish looks thin and light blue, but after you oil it and wait a few hours it turns almost black. Notice how the lettering is undamaged and the lines are still straight. That is because I polish by hand, instead of using a power buffer. Also notice that I had to remove the front sight, because it is made of brass and the bluing salts would dissolve it!
Using this method, you can easily match the finest Colt or Smith & Wesson bluing if you want, although the high polish is not appropriate for all guns.
The final results...
Using this method, you can easily match the finest Colt or Smith & Wesson bluing if you want, although the high polish is not appropriate for all guns.
The final results...
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OP
Arquebus357
Member
Wow..those came out beautifully . I get a satin finish using the express blue. Preparation recommendation is no finer than 400 grit for this process, I have saved your posts for reference. Hand polishing I can do. Some people should never be allowed within 10 feet of a buffing wheel. I know because I'm one of them.
Thanks for the information on your bluing process. Much appreciated. Here is my Ruger Vaquero that has been hand polished. I go to 2000 grit Wet/dry before I start to use polish.
Thanks for the information on your bluing process. Much appreciated. Here is my Ruger Vaquero that has been hand polished. I go to 2000 grit Wet/dry before I start to use polish.
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^^^Nice wood!
BTW, Brownells offers free, very detailed instructions on how to use their bluing products.
BTW, Brownells offers free, very detailed instructions on how to use their bluing products.
OP
Arquebus357
Member
That's dyed, stabilized, spalted, maple burl. 
Yes I read Brownell's instructions which scared me. Your's are much easier and require much less equipment.
A bit better shot of the subject project.
Started out like this:
Yes I read Brownell's instructions which scared me. Your's are much easier and require much less equipment.
A bit better shot of the subject project.
Started out like this:
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rog8732
US Veteran
By my eye the new front washer, uh...sight, looks to be proper height, but did you make sure it's a bit high just in case ?
I noticed your selection of "fine, professional" crowning tools,
but after the barrel cut how did you true it to 90% to the bore ?
Great looking work by the way. Nice "add-ons" by warren too.
I noticed your selection of "fine, professional" crowning tools,
but after the barrel cut how did you true it to 90% to the bore ?Great looking work by the way. Nice "add-ons" by warren too.
OP
Arquebus357
Member
My hacksaw cut was off by just a bit and I got it square with my files. Absolute precision is not required here. After all, Taurus make the Curve with a slash cut barrel. Taurus knows a thing or two about firearms. No, I did not use the, time honored, method of using a round head brass bolt and valve grinding compound to crown the barrel. Yes, the new sight is .02"/.03" overly tall to allow tuning. So there you have it..
I'm a Bubba
Yes, Warren's input is most appreciated.
I'm a Bubba
Yes, Warren's input is most appreciated.
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Dieseltech56
Member
Should have done a round butt conversion while you were at it!
rog8732
US Veteran
Sooo, what are your shop hours and what kinda backlog before you can get to my "turn-in" 64 ??
OP
Arquebus357
Member
Should have done a round butt conversion while you were at it!
You mean like this ? The old grip panels cheap from ebay were my guide
This is my other 64-3. It now sports faux ivory grips. I must take pics.
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OP
Arquebus357
Member
Sooo, what are your shop hours and what kinda backlog before you can get to my "turn-in" 64 ??
Hahahaha. I have two 64 turn-ins now. Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, GA has about 7 left ranging from $250-$350. Great value.
Sorry but I would not trust myself to work on any one elses gun. I know you are kidding and I will take that as a compliment.
Thank you
squidsix
Member
I always appreciate that there are other fellows out there who know how to use a proper file. You do nice work old timer.
S&W Model 64 4" to 3" Barrel
There are more than seven police turns left at Adventure Outdoors. There are probably 50 or more left in the gunroom.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There are more than seven police turns left at Adventure Outdoors. There are probably 50 or more left in the gunroom.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
OP
Arquebus357
Member
There's a "gunroom" ? Who knew ?
You mean like this ? The old grip panels cheap from ebay were my guide
This is my other 64-3. It now sports faux ivory grips. I must take pics.
Hey, I'll take those old wooden grips if you want to sell them!
OP
Arquebus357
Member
That round but grip looks pretty good in that photo but they are really beat up. I paid $10 on ebay so you can imagine the condition. Also, I pulled the medallions and did further damage.
Sorry
Sorry
