I blue'd it...

[rmwarren]

Black oxide to be more precise. Been experimenting with the gun cold blues available on amazon recently on some hairpin legs for a live edge table & rehabing some machinist tools. 

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Got fed up with surface rust on stuff in the unheated shop so I ordered some Caswell concentrate w/ their penetrating oil. Gave an abrasive tumble to a bunch of small stuff, hit it with aerosol brake cleaner (spray acetone?) and double dipped (dip/rinse/dry/repeat)in the black oxide followed by a quick bath in the oil.

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Previously used this on some machine steel parts of a Veritas carving vise and it is looking like it may prevent them from re-rusting this winter. Fingers crossed. It's a PITA but better than letting everything go to heck.

Anyone else using similar stuff to protect metal or as patina on projects?

RMW

 

[Gregor]

Interesting.

Please keep us updated how the stuff behaves when you use the tools, does it hold up against mechanical wear or does it scratch easily and the rust returns?

Also: Care to link the product(s)?

 

[rvieceli]

Richard - CAswell says the penetrating oil leaves an oily finish. How bad is it? I need something that is clean to touch.

Been using Birchwood Tech stuff but am not thrilled with the room temp black.

Thanks.

Ron

 

[Sparktrician]

My gunsmith first parkerized, then chemically blued a rifle for me almost 30 years ago.  It has held up very well through all kinds of weather, not to mention numerous cleanings.  And no oily finish whatsoever (unless I get careless in my wipe-downs). 

 

[rmwarren]

The latest stuff I used was from Amazon.

Prior to that it was the Birchwood Casey and Precision Tool-Black. They all seem to work about the same, the reason I bought the latest batch was I wanted enough volume to soak parts in. This kit can make up to 1.25 gallons.

[member=3192]rvieceli[/member] - Ron there is definitely a perceptible oiliness at first but with a little handling it seems to go away to the touch. I don't think I would use it on anything that might contaminate a surface to be finished i.e. a plane sole. 

I'll update this after I see how things fare this winter.

RMW

 

[Holmz]

Interesting.

Please keep us updated how the stuff behaves when you use the tools, does it hold up against mechanical wear or does it scratch easily and the rust returns?

Also: Care to link the product(s)?

The stuff I used way back (Beechwood Casey) wore off, but it looked pretty cool on a beat up old table saw.