At home case hardening

[mctrigger]

Has anyone tried at home colour case hardening? Certinaly would take some tools but many have access to welders and kilns. Seen a few videos on doing it. Looks quite possible at home.

 

[slug]

My chum does it. It's a fairly fiddly procedure and his colours are there but faint.
They're not as brilliant as Oskar's.
Unless you're young and have a burning passion to learn the art, I don't consider it a good investment in time and equipment.

I would consider it to be an art, rather than a skill.
I have two receivers coming from Oskar this week and I'll post photos.

 

[B_noser]

Having seen Oskar's setup, I would say it is at least 90% skill and 10% equipment - as though I didn't already know that. And, yes, Oskar is truly an artist.
I suspect I now know the source of the Whitworth

 

[dilly]

I have two receivers coming from Oskar this week and I'll post photos.

Please do!

 

[aakoksal]

I did it back in the university, and tried on scrap metal here a couple of times, but didn't have the courage to do it on an actual firearm part as of yet...!!!

 

[Rwilco]

This vid gives a general overview. https://youtu.be/spj9ndC452M

 

[slug]

Here're the photos Oskar sent me. A fine gentleman.
Still waiting, less than patiently, for the postal lady.

 

[The Kurgan]

As usual, Oskar has done some incredible work. He makes it look easy, but it's a skilled art, not easily attainable by home gunsmiths.

 

[dilly]

WOW! some great looking case in those pictures. I would love to try it but I am afraid of causing irreversible warpage.

 

[The Kurgan]

WOW! some great looking case in those pictures. I would love to try it but I am afraid of causing irreversible warpage.

... and the risk of improper heat treatment.

 

[tokguy]

I've tons of early 20th and late 19th century parts. I am going to try this, I'm a wood butcher, but am a touch like Rainman with iron... I just like it.

 

[mctrigger]

Slug that martini action is smoking!!

I think experimental tests and old parts would be fun to try.

 

[cdnrokon]

The gun Dr. AKA RWNBLACK does very nice stuff

he is in Saskatoon

 

[rwnblack]

I started casehardening at home 25 years ago and really enjoy it. Oskar does amazing work, perhaps after another 25 years I will be as consistent as him. It isn’t for the faint of heart however. Temperature control is critical. I use a very old lab muffle furnace that I modified for a larger steel box. The bone charcoal comes from the US, I grind hardwood lump charcoal using a meat grinder.

Here are some examples of projects.

 

[Longstud]

Kudos to both. Absolutely stunning work!!!!

 

[duncansuds]

That is beautiful. Good work to the both of you. Those 1885’s have me drooling

 

[mctrigger]

Very amazing work. Not for the faint of heart is right i bet!!

 

[rwnblack]

We finally got a cool day so a buddy came over yesterday and we casehardened his 1890 Win pump that he picked up at auction. It was pretty rusted shut but he got it apart and cleaned up and now it looks pretty good.

 

[Evanguy]

Here is one more of Oskars receivers.

 

[450yukon]

Amazing colors!!