[TheForge] Pickling solutions

[Michael H. Murphy]

I got some muriatic acid from a pool supply house (33% HCL), and diluted it
down to about 10%.  Soak the new bar stock from the store for about an hour,
then rinse well with water.  Takes the mill scale right off.  I use sections
of PVC of various sizes, capped at the bottom end, to put the stuff in.
BTW, it's best to do this just before you want to forge it; after this
treatment it rusts almost instantly.  At least here in Florida -- might be
different in Arizona or New Mexico.

Murf

> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andrew Vida
> Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 12:43 PM
> To: Robert B. Miller; Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Pickling solutions
> 
> On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 05:17:17 -0700, Robert B. Miller
> <hussar at antiqueswords.com> wrote:
> 
> > Hello:
> > What is the best solution for pickling? I'm thinking perhaps 10%
> > muriatic acid and water? How long of a duration?
> 
> 	Actually, vinegar gives the most control.  It is VERY slow, may take
> a
> week or more, but if the scale is light, perhaps but a few days only.  If
> you're not in a hurry, I would recommend this method as you will not have
> to worry about finding a burnt nubbin left if you forget about it for an
> hour.  HCL is pretty tough stuff.  Also, the fumes get ALL OVER THE SHOP
> and will wreck your tools, so if you use it, make sure you are outside.
> Even then you have to be careful not to let the fumes wend their way into
> the shop, and trust me on this one, they will.  Nothing will give you a
> heart attack like finding your $50K instrument makers lathe patinating
> before your very eyes.  The acid was outside and the basement window
> wasn't quite solidly closed.  Oy.
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