Author Topic: Aqua Fortis  (Read 3878 times)

corporallouis

  • Guest
Aqua Fortis
« on: May 02, 2020, 06:14:17 PM »
Does anyone know of a CANADIAN source for this stuff - or a place that will ship up here to Canukistan? Absolutely nobody ships this out of the U.S. and it would be easier to find a Sasquatch than find a Canadian supplier. I got a Kibler Colonial on order and am desperate to get my mitts on this stuff.   :'(

Offline T*O*F

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5131
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2020, 06:19:46 PM »
Search for a Canadian chemical supply and order some iron nitrate.  It's not a controlled substance.  Then mix with water or alcohol to make your own.  Also you might be able to wangle some from a local high school or college chemistry dept.
Dave Kanger

If religion is opium for the masses, the internet is a crack, pixel-huffing orgy that deafens the brain, numbs the senses and scrambles our peer list to include every anonymous loser, twisted deviant, and freak as well as people we normally wouldn't give the time of day.
-S.M. Tomlinson

Offline Robert Wolfe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Great X Grandpa
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2020, 06:37:38 PM »
What TOF said. But you might find it as "Ferric Nitrate." Comes as crystals.
Robert Wolfe
Northern Indiana

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12686
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2020, 06:52:46 PM »
I bought mine from Horizon Chemical Supplies in Richmond, BC.  It comes as crystaline in form and mixes with water fine.  It's referred to as Ferric Nitrate.
Browning solution is likewise, an issue up here.  So having exhausted my supply of LMF Browning Reagent, I sent out some feelers to see if I could procure the ingredients of a great recipe I have.  I happen to be acquainted with two professors from our local university, one of which works in the Cemistry lab, and she is going to mix me up a batch, at least the acid part.  When I get it I will be set for the rest of my life, ie:  the next thirty years.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

corporallouis

  • Guest
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2020, 07:15:21 PM »
I've checked pretty much all labs in Canada and crystals are outrageous to purchase. Cheapest place was a minimum order of $150.00 andthey'll only sell to schools, museums etc. I know I ordered aqua fortis from the U.S. years ago and not a problem so I'm not sure what happened to this crazy world. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of searching down the road. Can't check local university because of this rot that's on the go. Thanks for the info . . and wish me luck. (Lovely country I live in . . a 2 oz / $9.00 bottle of aqua fortis in the U.S. will cost god knows what up here if I can even find some college kid to make me some :-[ )

Offline T*O*F

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5131
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2020, 09:04:34 PM »
Ferric Nitrate Solution is used to correct iron deficiencies in soils and plants. Ferric Nitrate Solution is a clear, reddish brown liquid that is produced using the highest quality iron. It can be used to correct iron deficiencies in soils and plants and it is also compatible with many liquid fertilizers, micronutrients, pesticides, and water.

Start checking garden supply stores, nurseries, etc.  I picked up a pint bottle at our local farm supply store.
Dave Kanger

If religion is opium for the masses, the internet is a crack, pixel-huffing orgy that deafens the brain, numbs the senses and scrambles our peer list to include every anonymous loser, twisted deviant, and freak as well as people we normally wouldn't give the time of day.
-S.M. Tomlinson

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12686
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2020, 10:31:25 PM »
Good advice Dave.  I am going to look into it too.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline rmcgowan

  • Starting Member
  • *
  • Posts: 45
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2020, 01:45:20 AM »
I believe Jim sell it ,maybe he can ship it with your kit.

Offline Not English

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 597
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2020, 01:56:14 AM »
I'm not sure about ferric nitrate or any other "ferric". I've always made mine from nitric acid and added iron filings and steel wool until it won't take any more. you can pour it through a coffee filter to filter out the debris. Make sure there's ventilation. It could be that were talking the same thing. I skipped biology and chemistry every chance I could in school. I mention my method only because nitric acid might be easier to come by.

Offline smart dog

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7046
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2020, 02:06:16 AM »
Hi,
Ferric nitrate in water is "aqua fortis" but the acid component is very weak.  As a stain, it performs the same as iron dissolved in nitric acid and it is much easier to obtain than nitric acid.  With the availability of ferric nitrate and its ease of use (no strong acid to worry about), I find it hard to believe folks still fool with nitric acid to make the stain.

dave
"The main accomplishment of modern economics is to make astrology look good."

corporallouis

  • Guest
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2020, 03:10:27 AM »
Thank all of you for the help. My son lives in Alberta and I'm going to see what he can find what Dave says about Ferric Nitrate Solution.

Offline Hungry Horse

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5574
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2020, 08:10:08 PM »
I recently had very good results using a couple of  washes with tannic acid, and followed it with vinegaroon.

  Hungry Horse

Offline davec2

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2978
    • The Lucky Bag
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2020, 06:59:36 AM »
Actually, "aqua fortis" is the Latin name for nitric acid.  The name means "strong water".  What we use for stock staining is made with aqua fortis (nitric acid), but it is, technically, not aqua fortis.  As noted by others, it is a solution of iron (ferric) nitrate.  Ferric nitrate solutions are also used in the jewelry trade to etch silver with decorative designs.  If worse comes to worse, dilute nitric acid is fairly easy to make with hydrochloric acid (i.e. muriatic acid), some water, and a nitrate salt (potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, or ammonium nitrate). With the dilute nitric acid, you can dissolve some iron and make the iron nitrate solution you need.  Better living through chemistry......
"No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned... a man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company."
Dr. Samuel Johnson, 1780

Offline Dphariss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9928
  • Kill a Commie for your Mommy
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2020, 05:15:18 PM »
Does anyone know of a CANADIAN source for this stuff - or a place that will ship up here to Canukistan? Absolutely nobody ships this out of the U.S. and it would be easier to find a Sasquatch than find a Canadian supplier. I got a Kibler Colonial on order and am desperate to get my mitts on this stuff.   :'(

Ferric Nitrate crystals will make exactly the same stain and color on wood as a stain made with acid.  Mix with distilled water to the strength that looks good on test pieces and you are good to go.

Dan
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine


Offline WKevinD

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1438
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #15 on: May 04, 2020, 06:23:46 PM »
I bought Ferric Nitrate crystals from amazon (US) they came from " The Science Company"  $18.00 for 100 grams
Kevin
PEACE is that glorious moment in history when everyone stands around reloading.  Thomas Jefferson

Offline Craig Wilcox

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2540
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #16 on: May 04, 2020, 06:34:57 PM »
The little "m" in Eric's reference stand for "mole", or one molecular weight in grams - so the 0.2 m is twice as strong as the 0.1 m.
You add the number of protons and neutrons to get the molecular weight,  And I ain't gonna calculate it for Fe(NO3)3•9H2O, because I don't have a Periodic Table handy.

47 years ago when I was studying Organic Chem, never thought it would rear it's head when discussing fire arms!
Craig Wilcox
We are all elated when Dame Fortune smiles at us, but remember that she is always closely followed by her daughter, Miss Fortune.

corporallouis

  • Guest
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2020, 07:34:29 PM »
Thanks, Eric for that link. I tried to set up an account but unfortunately here in Northern Kanuckistan you have to order as a teacher or whatever for a school. Joe Blow just can't get his hands on this stuff. Gets irritating when you just can't get stuff you need to do a job.  :'(

Offline Eric Krewson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2262
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #18 on: May 05, 2020, 02:10:06 AM »
Lots on ebay, shipped free.

Offline FALout

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 875
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #19 on: May 05, 2020, 03:41:45 AM »
Gotta remember these guys are dealing with Canadian regs.
Bob

Offline tallbear

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4061
  • Mitch Yates
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2020, 03:50:43 AM »
Quote
I find it hard to believe folks still fool with nitric acid to make the stain.

Dave
I always make my own Nitrate of iron stain because I have found that by varying the source of iron in my stain making I can get different colors from my different mixes of stains.For example wrought iron tends to give me a redder color stain while mild steel tends to give me more of a brown stain.At any one time I have several different mixes of Nitrate of iron stain in stock and can test the different mixes on a piece of wood from the stock blank and choose the color I like best.It's still varies from piece of wood to piece of wood but it gives me a selection.For me it's worth the trouble.

Mitch

corporallouis

  • Guest
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2020, 02:43:36 PM »
FOUND SOME . . finally found a science lab in Canada that will ship it to me. It's across the country (like Maine to California for you guys  :) ) but at least I got some. Now the wait for my Kibler Colonial begins . . . and thanks again for the help. I'm sure I'll still be here surfing the group . . .

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19642
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2020, 03:18:36 PM »
Like Mitch I have pint batches of home brewed iron saturated aquafortis and try them plus Kibler’s ferric nitrate and various other concoctions on a test piece. It’s less work and less expensive reaching for an already made mix than ordering some ferric nitrate. But I agree that for anyone without access to a wet lab with 25 years of chemicals in it, making iron-saturated aquafortis is only efficacious as a fun project.
Andover, Vermont

Offline bob in the woods

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4556
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #23 on: May 05, 2020, 03:33:32 PM »
I have been happy with using a vinegar [ 10% strength ] / iron mix for the last few years, and am happy with the results.  Something to play with in your spare time ?

Offline James Rogers

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3174
  • James Rogers
    • Fowling Piece
Re: Aqua Fortis
« Reply #24 on: May 05, 2020, 05:54:31 PM »
Being able to play with the mixes allowed m to find that nitric  with nothing but water to cut it and NO iron makes a beautiful application on English walnut.
Got the idea from Jim Hash. Here is one of his guns done with nothing but cut nitric acid with no filings added. This one is in Three Centuries of Tradition