What can I use to decrease salt volume in my bluing tank? Seldom blue more than one rifle at a time anymore. Firebrick perhaps?

How about glass beads?

Dip out excess and store in an HDPE container. Leave enough to cover the steel.

quote:

Originally posted by gwahir:
What can I use to decrease salt volume in my bluing tank? Seldom blue more than one rifle at a time anymore. Firebrick perhaps?

Gentlemen, thanks. If I put 10lb of salt in my tank, the solution is not deep enough to cover the barrel i am bluing. I want to add something to the excess area of the tank to raise the level. fire bricks are ideal size and shape wise. I want to know if they would react to the salt in some way, or if someone can suggest an alternative.

If 10 lbs of salts solution will not cover the the barrel, then you will never cover your barrel in that tank no matter how much you fill it. That is due to the length and width of the tank. Glass beads would just float on top and not help you. You need a narrower tank, or you need to mix up 15 lbs of solution and see if that will cover the barrel when hung as low as you can in the tank.

We mixed salts 4 years ago in the shop tank and only add salt periodically to maintain temp. Are you just trying to economize fuel and/or save heating time?

fire bricks are usually quite porous and made of special compounds that probably will react to the caustic solution plain red brick- New ones- should be ok.

I will try to get a smaller tank.

quote:

Originally posted by gwahir:
I will try to get a smaller tank.

What are the dimensions of the tank you are using now?

All of which is why I shelved my tanks and burners and started rust bluing.
Only need to boil one quart of water.
Note; Use Bobster's bluing solution.

quote:

Originally posted by gwahir:
I will try to get a smaller tank.

Just make it, and make narrower, not shallower -- I would need the length and depth, but the width isn't important for single use.

but, Like Tom, I packed up my tanks and only rust blue any more - No one wants to pay for the full cost of firing up the tanks for ONE rifle

And if you get brownell salts in a 5 gal plastic container, you will find it difficult, (the kindest word I can think of at the moment), to open. Just hole saw a 2" opening in the top and pore the salts into smaller capped containers. The shaky voice of recent experience..