Author Topic: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time  (Read 5920 times)

JCurtiss

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Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« on: January 12, 2016, 08:46:47 PM »
I have decided to "stain" my stock using ferric nitrate.  Are there any unforeseeable pitfalls in the process that I should be aware of?

Also, I don't have a heat gun, but have access to a hair drier. Will this work, or should I purchase a heat gun?

Thanks!

Jason

Offline jerrywh

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2016, 09:36:17 PM »
 I don't think a hair drier is hot enough. You could use a propane torch. Just don't burn the wood.
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JCurtiss

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2016, 10:29:48 PM »
I don't think a hair drier is hot enough. You could use a propane torch. Just don't burn the wood.

Thanks for the feedback; I just hate to buy a heat gun when chances are good that it will be rarely used.

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2016, 10:37:25 PM »
You can get one with a coupon from Harbor Freight for $9.

Offline Mark Elliott

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2016, 11:29:15 PM »
The heat gun is safer than a propane torch for raising grain and turning AF.    I use my heat gun all the time, mostly for getting off stuck lids.    It is one of the tools I leave sitting out.   I also use it to raise dents, and I use it for whiskering.  You need to whisker your stock AT LEAST three times before you apply the stain.   A heat gun is something that gets used a lot in a gun makers shop.   Not only do I think you should buy one,  I think you should buy a good one.   

JCurtiss

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2016, 11:58:04 PM »
 A heat gun is something that gets used a lot in a gun makers shop.   Not only do I think you should buy one,  I think you should buy a good one.   

Ok boss, will do!

Offline KLMoors

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2016, 01:23:35 AM »
I didn't have a heat gun for ages.  Now that I have one I use it all the time.

Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2016, 01:38:03 AM »
Quote
but have access to a hair drier.
Yes they will work if you are patient enough and get it close enough to the wood. BUT, you might do like I did, burnt the thing up but thankfully I had about finished. My wife was not a happy camper!
Dennis
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Online mikeyfirelock

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2016, 01:51:50 AM »
you will use the heat gun a lot more than you think.  they are really handy, and good for a lot of things where you would not like to use an open flame.  ( if you get a good one, you can even bond the cores to the jackets in home made bullets)
Mike Mullins

Offline Eric Krewson

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2016, 02:02:02 AM »
I have been using one for about 20 years, I broke two by knocking them off my work bench onto the concrete floor and one by holding right up against a piece of osage, the heat had no where to go and it burned up.

After burning myself multiple times and breaking several from leaving them on my workbench, I made a holster for mine on the end of my bench where I use it the most.

« Last Edit: January 13, 2016, 02:02:41 AM by Eric Krewson »

Offline WKevinD

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2016, 02:28:25 AM »
Nice idea Eric, I'm always looking for a spot to put mine other than the "hang up" loop on the back. Every time I put mine away, I end up digging it out.
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Offline longcruise

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2016, 02:30:16 AM »
I use the element on the electric stove.  Sure you could also do it over a gas stove too.

My son in law has one of the HF cheapo heat guns and that works too.
Mike Lee

Offline FALout

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2016, 02:36:21 AM »
To me, doing it over the stove top, you can't see what's happening.  Heat gun works the best.
Bob

Offline frogwalking

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2016, 06:52:24 AM »
Don't put your heat gun where your wife normally keeps the hair dryer.
Quality, schedule, price; Pick any two.

Willbarq

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2016, 07:21:51 AM »
I have been using one for about 20 years, I broke two by knocking them off my work bench onto the concrete floor and one by holding right up against a piece of osage, the heat had no where to go and it burned up.

After burning myself multiple times and breaking several from leaving them on my workbench, I made a holster for mine on the end of my bench where I use it the most.


Hot elements do not withstand a shock well. Ask my neighbor who burned up 3 clothes dryers before he had me replace the element . sunflower seeds

Willbarq

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Re: Ferric Nitrate - For the First Time
« Reply #15 on: January 13, 2016, 07:23:37 AM »
Don't put your heat gun where your wife normally keeps the hair dryer.

good advice.