I would like to start doing case hardening with a crucible and Kiln or heat treating furnace I wrote to Brownells for info ! do any of you do this and where do you get chemicals and directions for this work ? I saw a Gunsmith on the Outdoor Channel but only caught the last few minutes of show , any info appreciated Thanks .

Hooo, boy, is it tricky. I think Brownells sells a kit, with the bone charcoal, and all, with instructions. The biggest problem, is making sure no air hits the object before it goes into the bubbling quench water. Also warping is a real problem. Basically, you bake the part in an airtight box, with bone and wood charcoal, at 1400 deg for 2 hrs, then quench in a water bath with air bubbling thru the water. Vastly oversimplified. Additives to charcoal, additives to water, size of air bubbles, etc, exact temp of oven, time in heat, etc. I did a Stevens Favorite really nice, then almost destroyed a Win Lo wall, found that the smelly fumes from the box opening contained cyanide gas, and decided to give up on this.

Depends on what you are trying to case harden. I have used both the furnace and torch. Small non-critical parts are pretty easy to do. Big, complex pieces, or, critical parts should probably be left to the folks like Blanchards in SLC, or some other metallurgical specialists in the area of firearms. Were it me, rather than write, I would call, or, go on line to <www.brownells.com> and search it out. The good folks in the tech department should be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks Lanny& Malm I have 3 Rem/roll/Blk Actions + parts to Case harden , I know how to torch them ! want to deep harden Them at least 40 RC I found several places to get this process done , 1 rolling block ! not action ! $125.00 Buy the time I get all the parts and action done it will wort Fort Knoxx ! for one of them ! I have 3 !!!! Must sell my Home !

I have a rolling block made by Lone Star Rifle Co that has the most beautiful color case hardening I've ever seen.I don't remember who did the case hardening for them....You have to distinguish between color case hardening and plain case hardening .Of course some of the new" color case hardening" is painted on !!! ...To do a proper color case hardening job yourself requires lots of experience , not as easy as you might think !

Mete I know it's not easy ! that's why I'm asking for all the info I can get before I get involved in this undertaking , LoneStar has Turnbull do their Actions and parts .

concho:

These folks do exceptional quality color case hardening at reasonable prices. I send all my color work to them and have never been disappointed.

http://classicgunsinc.com/

Glenn Fewless

I just got an Encore frame and trigger guard back from Classic Guns last week. Its not too far from my house, and they had it done in FOUR DAYS.

Unbelieveable how many Rolling Blocks, Winchester High Walls, Sharps, Ruger #1 & #3's, etc. they had in this shop for service.

I was in awe.

Thank You HST & Fireball 168 $200 for an action I have 3 and a 1886 Winchester to get done at that cost I could have baught a new action from Lonestar and been better off ! I'm still looking for a reply from Brownells about the process .

Call them and talk to them, a lot of the pricing depends on what's been done to the action prior to them receiving it....

Another option - NRA Gunsmithing Schools. Can't remember if Trinidad or the school in Oklahoma...but one of them offered a color case hardening class last year, for like $250.

H P Huppert makes heat treating furnaces.....eletric with temp controls and if you want you can get gas environments to do case hardening.

You can also make a box to install parts with high carbon stones that create a high carbon environment and in time allows for case hardening when heated n the oven from Huppert.

IMO it's a specialty and not to be toyed with unless you wish to make it your life's passion.

Furnace last time I had it quoted was $6,000 and then you add options...

This has nothing to do with color case however...

I would like to take that class but living in PA makes it impossible ! I did look at the furnaces Vapodog , That's not possible eiather ! I did send an e-Mail to Classicguns Inc asking for a Quote for the 3 actions and a 1886 winchester action + parts , Did not hear from them as of this Posting , Thank you all for your help .

Do any of you know of training films Like Kuhnhausen has books and films for repairing firearms , for case hardening ?

Maybe they'll offer it at Montgomery, NC...at least it would be a little closer for you.

Call the guys at Classic, I think you'll find their response time much better. You'll get a kick out of their answering machine message if they don't answer....

Concho,

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/Instructions.aspx?p=1026
Is the web address for the Instructions from Browells for their kit.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1026
Is Brownells web page for the kit, just a little pricey.

From reading posts on gunshop.com a gent named Professor Gaddy(Think that’s the spelling) disagreed with the Brownells instructions a little. From memory Prof Gaddy believed that item to be color case hardened needed to be annealed first. I can’t remember his exact work history, but believe he had been a consultant to one of gun manufactures on color case hardening issues.

Mark Holycross

Professor Oscar Gaddy specialized in Color Case Hardening and damascus refinishing. He wrote several articles for the Double Gun Journal and was a fequent contibutor to the gunshop.com BBS. He passed away last year but he was the master and his work can stil be referenced in the DGJ.

Mete has said that some of the case color is painted on. For a cosmetic restoration, this might seem an option if done well. This, of course, does not impart any hardening, but if the part or receiver was previously case hardned, and all you were after was restoring color, who does it? Does anyone have any pictures of this type of work, or any ideas's where to get it done? It kind of reminds me of years ago, I think SKB was importing some SXS shotguns that appeared to have mineral streaked french walnut stocks, but if you ever stripped them, it turned out that the dark mineral streaks were hand-painted on!! Lee.

Got reply's from Brownells and Classic , very Informative information , Professor Oscar Gaddy ! anyone know where I might get possible books he wrote on subject ? Thanks

Concho,

Don't know of any books that he might have written. He wrote some articles for "The Double Gun Journal"
http://gunshop.com/doublegunjournal_v7i4_idx.htm
Is one of the articles. Contact the magizine to find out what other articles he wrote. If you do get a complete list of his articles would you share it here.

Mark Holycross

Mark I don't have the ability to post on this site but I will send them to you if you can post here ? let me know and I will make a note with your name onthis subject , I have several books here with Case hardening subjects they all are prety much the same , Brownells is the most in depth I have read if you would like it use my Personal E-Mail . and if you like you can post it here . Thank you all for your kindly help . concho