Nitre Blue Bluing Salts

[mdoyle]

I was going to purchase some Nitre Blue bluing salts from Brownells for nitre bluing damascus bolsters. It is only sold in 10 lb containers and with the added cost of the haz shipping it takes the total to $65.85. I am CHEAP! Besides that 10lbs would probably last me 2 lifetimes.? Is there anyone else who sells a product (maybe under a different name??) that will do the SAME thing. I am pretty sure that the product is mostly potassium nitrate (salt petre), anyone try just using that instead? If I am being ridiculously cheap just tell me to quit whining and fork over the cash.
Thank you in advance,
Matt Doyle

 

[David Wesner]

Hi Matt.I just went out to the shop and looked on the label. NitreBlue Salts are , according to the label (in this order) Sodium Nitrate,Sodium Nitrite and Potassium Nitrate . The stuff is flourescent pink in color . Hope this helps.I can relate to trying to save a buck:thumbup:

 

[JCaswell]

I've used the Brownell's salts and as David said, it's not just Potassium Nitrate.
I've tried using Thermoquench heat treating salts (which incidentally is also pink before you use it). But it didn't seem to work as well as the Brownell's for blueing and I'm not sure why. Besides, if you're buying Thermoquench from Heat Bath Corp. you'll get it in 50 pound bags and I think it's a 100 pound minimum.
Incidentally, 10 pounds isn't all that much. The stuff 'drags out' as you use it so you're adding a little fresh material now and then. Also, if you contaminate the bath, you'll be happy you have some spare material.