Smoking a barrel

[Terry Reynolds]

Can't get search feature to work for me this morning so thought I'd post here.

Starting to inlet a swamp barrel in the stock and need to smoke it to get that perfect fit. I have been using a candle but takes a long time to get it smoked up. Is there a easier/faster way to smoke? Inletting black is out...I'll have that stuff all over me and the bench.

Thanks

[Bob McBride]

It’s down for me too. Coal oil lamp. Quick stop at the antique store and Walmart for oil and you’re all set. The larger the wick the better. Hershel House has one with a large round wick. I’ve used an alladin lamp. Large wick but they run hot. Turn it up high.

[Ky-Flinter]

A kerosene lamp with the wick turned up will put out more smoke.  But smoking a barrel is a pain.

-Ron

[alacran]

If you don't want to use inletting black,( I'm a really messy builder, been using it for twenty years, I don't get it all over everything.) You can use a wide Sharpie. Red or green seem to work the best for me. However if I want a really good transfer I use inleting black.

[jrb]

those felt tipped pen like things that are for "dry" eraser boards work fairly well. it puts on a dry powder coating that cleans up real easy. I seem to need the powder coating a little thicker though than it goes on usually.

[Dennis Glazener]

Have tried most everything mentioned and settled on Prussian blue avail at most auto parts stores. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PTW80038

Just a tiny amount works best.
Dennis

[flehto]

I've always used Permatex  Spotting   Compound  which is a brand name for Prussian Blue. Very fast application for thin coats, not messy and shows up well. It also isn't absorbed into the wood  to any extent and no extra steps are req'd for cleanup....final sanding and/or   scraping rids the wood of any traces . I use a soldering brush to apply......Fred

[sdilts]

I now use Prussian blue as well. No where near the mess that inletting black makes.

[L. Akers]

I use a small alcohol lamp burning mineral spirits.  I have also used paint tint obtained at my local hardware store.  I preferthe lamp.

[Mike Brooks]

If you're getting inletting black all over you're using too much.

[Scota4570]

Use a big fat marker.  The transfer is pressure sensitive.  This avoids false transfers.  It does not make a mess on everything.  Using giant size sharpies instead of greasy kids stuff and smoke was a huge leap forward in the quality of my inletting. 

[Herb]

Here's how I do it.    I probably shouldn't describe the parts, but you get the idea.  The wick is a rolled up piece of cotton cloth, a size to squeeze down into that brass tube, which is soldered (or super-glued) to a washer for a broader base.  The fuel is paint thinner stored in a squeeze bottle.  Squeeze the brass tube about half full and then "screw" the cotton wick down into it, leaving about 1/4" stick out.  Tip the tube up to soak the wick.  Light it with the lighter.  When done, blow the flame out and cap it with the smaller brass tube.

[Jim Kibler]

Collect some soot on sheet metal by burning motor oil outside or buy some bone black.  Mix the black pigment with a little bit of oil.  Use a 1" paint brush to apply it to the barrel.  Less is best.  Too much doesn't work well and makes a mess.  Just a thin film is all you need.

[Pennsylvania Dutchman]

I use my oxy-acetylene cutting torch. I only turn on the acetylene.
Mark

[rick/pa]

Back when I was shooting pistol in competition I had a carbide smoker for the sights.  Mix calcium carbide with water in the smoker, it makes acetylene gas, then light the wick like you do with a Bic. Old time miners lamps used this same device with a reflector and I believe modern spelunkers also use a carbide lamp for underground exploring. It does a quick job of smoking sights, should work for a barrel too. Birchwood Casey sells an aerosol can for sight blacking that might work.

[Muskie]

used kerosene lamp until i cleaned the filter on my dehumidifier in my shop. i will use prussian blue next time!

[Wyoduster]

I've used lipstick and it worked pretty well..  My Wife is still looking for it.  I feel your pain with inletting black I to get more on me that what I'm working on.

[Greg Pennell]

Try taking a small (1/2” wide or so) artists brush and cut the bristles back to 1/4” - 3/8” long. Dip in the inletting black, then scrub the brush around on a paper plate to remove most of the black. Then tap a thin coat on the part you’re working with. The amount you use is so small that a 1/4 oz jar should last a long, long, time. If it makes a mess, you’re using way too much.

Greg

[Tizzy]

One of the best and easiest to see transfer materials that I have found is the Wife's red lipstick. It can get messy if too much is used...but when applied with a small paint brush it works great.

[TommyG]

What Mike Brooks & Greg Pennell said.  Cut the bristles down on an acid brush to about 1/4", dip in the black and blot off on an cloth, I use an old sock.  When applied should look almost transparent or like graphite from a pencil.  No need to re-apply when fitting, just brush over the spots as they are wiped off.  A small jar of the stuff should get you at least 15-20 guns by my estimation.

[TonyM]

I've been using Prussian blue for almost 30 years. Had to open tube #2 about 3 months back. Sure is a lot less messy than that black stuff.

[Dennis Glazener]

I've been using Prussian blue for almost 30 years. Had to open tube #2 about 3 months back. Sure is a lot less messy than that black stuff.

I agree, didn't try it until about 5 yrs ago but it's the best thing I have used. Just use a small amount, doesn't take much.
Dennis

[Eric Krewson]

After seeing an earlier post from Dennis about Prussian blue I gave it a try and put up my oil lamp, I like the stuff.

[45-110]

Funny being a machinist and being around Prussian blue for all these years, the thought of using it around wood never occurred to me. I hate (loathe) the stuff big time but always have it on my bench for metal fitting work especially for locks, triggers, and my bpcr rifle builds.
Never had a problem or mess using the 'ol inletting black standby, applying with q tip or small brush......it does not require much. And as noted, sooting with acetylene works great too, except for the shop air having black airborne floaters.
kw

[Terry Reynolds]

After seeing an earlier post from Dennis about Prussian blue I gave it a try and put up my oil lamp, I like the stuff.

Prussian blue did the trick, I like it also! Thanks everyone.