Heat Bluing A Set of Steel Clock Hands

Thomas Hutson

Chris, what is the material that you use for insulation during heating? It looks like normal fiberglass or mineral-wool house insulation, but I am not too sure. It looks way easier to use and set-up compared to pumice stone bricks.

Clickspring

Great to have your support Kevin :)

kevin todd

I never get tired of watching really fine work...... P.S. I weld stainless steel at times and you can see the heat range in the color

kevin todd

Just awesome

Clickspring

Cheers Al :)

Al McKague

Once again, very nice work. The degree that the color matches on the two hands says that you have excellent temperature control.

Clickspring

Thanks David!

Clickspring

Cheers Ørjan!

Another great video!

Ørjan Fredheim

Wow that blue color is amazing! Thanks for educating us, very well explained video !

Clickspring

Thanks very much Matt :)

Clickspring

Thanks Paul :)

Clickspring

Cheers John! I think I will leave them as they are. Yes you can blue stainless, although the colors tend to appear at higher temps due to the alloying elements.

Paul Busby

Those hands look amazing. Another brilliant video.

John Creasey

Another excellent video Chris. Will you paint the hands now with varnish or just leave them as they are? Also, can you use this process on stainless steel?

Matt Syme

The others on here have said what needs to be said. But I will say it again for good measure, "Perfect"

Clickspring

Cheers Mike!

Clickspring

Hey Bob, yes a thermostatically controlled furnace, or even a similar electric tray is a great option if you have it. I've seen a few different pro , as well as shop built versions, and the results can be excellent. Its a funny process though, the line between success and failure is quite narrow, and its a vexing process no matter the tools used. Re the camera, I use a Panasonic HC X920. Its a camcorder, so no lens capability. But having said that the built in lens seems ok. It does mean I have to jam it in close to get close to the action tho, so its got quite a few battle scars!

Mike Michelizzi

I can't say it any better than PJ did. Thanks for the video!

My goodness you have a lot of patience! Thanks for another great video Chris. Two questions. 1) Would a well regulated heat treating furnace allow more precise color? And 2) What camera do you use for your videos? Do you have a "special" lens? Thanks again.

Clickspring

Ha ha! Magic it is then! Cheers Tom :)

Tom Colson

Nice explanation of the why and the how of heat bluing...but I'm going with magic as the real reason this works.

Clickspring

Thank you mate, so pleased you enjoyed it :)

PJ

Knocked it out of the park Chris! Really Great explanation of thin film interference with excellent graphic and examples that anyone can understand, imho. Also admired your forethought to harden them in a hard steel tray. Always amazed by your fine work and attention to detail! Just the best....~PJ