Getting the lock to spark well

[Chris Treichel]

What about checking the carbon content of the frizzen steel by doing a spark test? http://wearanswers.com/Instant-Answers/Instant-Answers/Spark-Testing-for-Material-Identification.html   Its something I do when trying to ID mystery steel.  I just did this with my dremel with a small sanding wheel on one of those made in India Bess locks that didn't want to spark and it showed me that the carbon content was just too low.  So I will case harden it the old fashioned way the next time I get out camping.

[Daryl]

I have learned from Taylor that when using oxyacetylene for heating the frizzen, to use a carburizing (acetylene rich) flame, not a hot, white welding flame.  I think I got that right.

[Chris Treichel]

Looks like the Rifle Shop provided the answers/instructions to hardeneing a frizzen on their we page. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.  http://www.therifleshoppe.com/general_product_information.htm  

Interesting note on the tempering the pan cover area... I might chuck it in the oven at about 375 for an hour or two as well just to make sure to relax/temper the hardened steel frizzen just a bit. Anyone else do that?

[LRB]

  Tempering the tail and some of the pan cover is SOP, but I would try to take it to a blue color.  You won't add much if any extra carbon with a torch. You may prevent carbon loss though.

[Stormrider51]

Here's a tip for tempering springs.  It's a bit off the subject of frizzens but someone might find it useful.  Once the spring is hardened fire up your lead pot and bring molten lead to 750 degrees F.  Use a lead thermometer.  Attach the spring to a piece of baling wire or other suitable wire so you won't lose it.  Be sure the spring and wire are completely dry.  Even the smallest amount of moisture hitting molten lead can be real exciting.  Lower the spring into the molten lead and let sit for about 15 minutes.  Use pliers to grip the wire and lift the spring out of the lead.  Let cool slowly.  The spring should have a perfect temper.  I've used this technique for many years and never had a spring break that I know of.  It's much easier than trying to bring the steel to the right color with a torch.

Storm

[Gaeckle]

An easy way to get an idea of what the sparks really look like is to set off the lock in a dark room......you may see sparks that you didn't know where there........

 

[smart dog]

Hi LRB and Bob Roller,
Thanks for the posts.  I stand corrected. TRS frizzens with 6150 being a medium carbon steel should definitely be case-hardened or soled.  I never notice a problem because I pack harden all of my TRS locks for 2 hours in a mix of bone and wood charcoal with a water quench.  They all spark fabulously even after much use.  However, I always thought they could be hardened through just by heating without having to resort to adding carbon.  Even if they could be through hardened, I prefer pack hardening because there is something almost oily smooth about the surface after pack hardening that doesn't occur with through hardening. 

dave 

[blunderbuss]

I heated a cheap Indian musket frizzen once and it melted.

[4ster]

I spoke to Jess at the Rifle Shoppe today, and he said to send the lock in.  He said all his locks have a lifetime guarantee.  

So I guess my lock will be making an all expense paid trip to Oklahoma (well, I do have to pay to ship it there).

Steve

[Stormrider51]

Excellent!  There's nothing like good customer service.

Storm