Inletting transfer color

[Joe S.]

Makes sense,thinking about TOF's idea of using chalk,plenty of that laying about from chalk boxs

[riflebldrdude]

What do you guys use when in letting a barrel?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I discovered (for myself anyway) that when inletting a plug in a powder horn, the powdered red chalk mixed with a bit of water helps the wood grip the tapered inside of the horn, and leaves a nice transfer on the wood.  It cleans up easily.

[David Rase]

In-letting black was a mess didn't like it at all. Jim Chambers posted that he used
Prussian blue so I tried Permatex non-drying Prussian blue. Best transfer of anything I have used cleans up with a dry rag. Cheap at about $4 a tube at NAPA store.
Dennis

Dennis,
You are better man than I if you can use Prussian blue as a transfer color.  My experience with it when I was still working as a machinist and tool and die maker was that 1 drop of the stuff was enough to cover a work bench, any tools on the bench as well as myself, and occasionally the part I was working on fitting.
I have a tube in my Kennedy tool chest sealed in a double lock zip lock bag.  If I have a weak moment, I might have to give it a try, just because you said it works.
David

[bob in the woods]

I have a wood stove in my shop.  Soot is available, and cheap 

[Mike Brooks]

I use the Jarrows stuff. I get about 100 guns per bottle.

[B.Habermehl]

I use Jarrows in letting black. No open flames in my shop unless I fire up the torch to solder something. The trick to using Jarrows for me is to trim the bristles on the brush to 1/4 inch or less in length. Then pounce it onto the part, not really brushing. BJH

[L. Akers]

I use soot from an alcohol lamp burning mineral spirits.  I light it to apply smoke, then blow it out.  Smoke will get in all the little nooks and crannies.

[Joe S]

I use candle smoke and red, blue or black markers.  For metal, if I have to, I use Jerrows.  Gets everywhere.  Hate that stuff, but it works.  I tried some lipstick once.  Worked OK, but I just couldn’t resist trying it out to see how it looked on me.  My wife had a lot to say about that.  Can’t see why she got so excited – it was just an experiment and I gave her back the lipstick.  What was left of it anyway.