LugerForum Discussion Forums my profile | register | faq | search
upload photo | donate | calendar

Go Back   LugerForum Discussion Forums > General Discussion Forums > Repairs, Restoration & Refinishing

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
Unread 10-19-2022, 05:03 AM   #1
RWBlue01
User
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Thanks: 15
Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts
Default Anvil 060: Luger ReStraw

Just something I saw that I would like to pass along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub-lPcgfiT8
RWBlue01 is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 4 members says Thank You to RWBlue01 for your post:
Unread 10-19-2022, 03:44 PM   #2
Mac Cat
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
Mac Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 666
Thanks: 1,994
Thanked 538 Times in 291 Posts
Default

Thanks RW

Great tip !
I enjoyed that video very much.
Mac Cat is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-21-2022, 02:10 AM   #3
ithacaartist
Twice a Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
ithacaartist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY
Posts: 3,276
Thanks: 6,952
Thanked 2,461 Times in 1,315 Posts
Default

The salient aspect of strawing is to take the parts to the temperature that turns their surface molecules the desired color. If you want to avoid hot chemicals, the expense of a half of a tank of propane, and the need to do it outdoors, the simple secret is to use a toaster oven. The problem most who do it with an oven encounter is uneven heating, which results in uneven colors.

My technique uses a good ol' toaster oven and a steel dish of sand. The oven must be dialed in by trial and error the first time to achieve the correct temperature. Start at a reasonable temp close to what you want and complete the process below. If the part is too light, trun the dial and raise the temp, and repeat the process. If the part is too dark, re-polish it, lower the temp, and try again. After that, marking the spot on the dial will enable you to reproduce the desired temperature for future projects.

The container of sand is a buffer that ensures even heating of the parts. Otherwise, putting in unprotected parts exposes them to the radiant heat of the electric element, which is capable of heating thin areas of the parts to a temp that is too high, resulting in discoloration in that area when finished.

Just heat the sand inside the oven until everything is warmed to the correct temp. Snuggle the parts into the sand, return the container containing it all into the oven, and wait 30-45 minutes. After that, you can pull the perfectly strawed parts out, wait until they're cooled enough to handle, wipe with an oil dampened rag, and Bob's your uncle.

Quenching is absolutely unnecessary, although some folks do it, I suppose because they want to waste their time. The temperature for strawing does not affect previous heat treating or hardness of the steel.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	1900 etc 026.jpg
Views:	53
Size:	141.1 KB
ID:	85900  

Click image for larger version

Name:	external-content.duckduckgo.com.jpg
Views:	46
Size:	102.3 KB
ID:	85901  

__________________
"... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894
ithacaartist is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 8 members says Thank You to ithacaartist for your post:
Unread 10-21-2022, 07:26 PM   #4
spangy
Lifer
Lifetime Forum
Patron
 
spangy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 606
Thanks: 2,964
Thanked 1,047 Times in 422 Posts
Default

To avoid temperature variations encountered in a toaster oven I use the regular kitchen oven and a cookie sheet.
Preheat to about 440f +- 5F
Have your 'quench' oil at the ready ... I use olive oil.
The most important part is prep work on the piece/pieces to be 'strawed'.
I can't stress this enough ... your parts must be a mirror finish with all scratches removed with wet/dry emery cloths paper ... I use 3 grades 1000, 1500 and 2000 grit.
Once all scratches etc have been brought to a mirror finish you are ready for the stove.
Generally your looking at about 15 minutes in the oven but you will have to play with that for the results your after.

OH NOOO ... I messed up !!!!

No worries, just do it over - but don't take ANY shortcuts.
Have Fun and DON'T try this on Granpa Georg's 1898 GL original ya ??
__________________
Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger.
WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.
spangy is offline   Reply With Quote
The following 3 members says Thank You to spangy for your post:
Unread 10-22-2022, 12:26 PM   #5
mrerick
Super Moderator - Patron
LugerForum
Life Patron
 
mrerick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA
Posts: 3,900
Thanks: 1,370
Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts
Default

Made this thread a "Sticky"
__________________
Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum -
- Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.
mrerick is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10-22-2022, 09:30 PM   #6
MFC
User
 
MFC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 1,237
Thanks: 183
Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts
Default

Strawed small parts were never originally polished to a mirror finish. They have a very light sanded finish.
__________________
Mike C.
MFC is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:47 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2023, Lugerforum.com