what do you use to 'smoke it'?

[oldsoldja]

When they say smoke the barrel latch area, I know what they are using it for, but what do you burn to smoke it, just taking ideas 

When I do that on cars ,I use grease, but the tolerances are quite different.

[quickdtoo]

Smoke from a candle works great. 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

Thats what I use too!

CW

[scratchmark]

ok, i'm stumped. what is "smoking it" and whats the purpose?

[gcrank1]

I use black magic marker to spot contact areas.

[quickdtoo]

ok, i'm stumped. what is "smoking it" and whats the purpose?

To check latch engagement to see how well a barrel fits a frame, it's covered in the barrel fitting info in the FAQs.

Tim

[necchi]

Scratch, It's applying "soot" to the surface of a metal part. The technique is about as old as mankind.
 Can be used for many things. Once soot is applied and two parts are pressed together the thin layer of soot will rub off too show where contact has been made like Tim mentions.
 Or you can see where the metal touches wood as the soot will transfer on contact. That comes in very handy when doing stock work to inlet barrel channels, locks, triggers, buttplates, nose caps or any manner of decrative items seen in or on woods stocks. You can smoke the shoulder of a cartridge to see when it contacts the chamber.

 I use an oil lamp with the glass chimney removed and filled with the typical paraffin based oils found just about everywhere. Need smoke/soot? Turn the wick high and you'll get plenty and fast, just hold the piece over the smokey flame.
 Once I get what I need I turn the wick down to a low flame. A damp cloth at hand will wipe off any excess from areas I don't need it and helps keep the entire project from becoming a mess.

 Go look around at second hand stores, you'll usually find a bunch of'm for a couple bucks each. I have one that has a small 1/2" wide wick and holds about a cup of oil, the perfect size for "smoking" items.

[oldsoldja]

thanks for the advise, ill have to try them all and see which the old woman doesnt bitch about.

[scratchmark]

gotcha. never thought of that. ive always just used blue indicater die like i use for setting gears in a rearend or a tranny. smoking definitely sounds easier and cheaper. this is why im on here.   

[revbc]

Scratch,

I've used all three, smoke, prussian blue, and black magic marker.  The magic marker is my choice on the handi rifle.  All three work, your choice

Bobby

[rdlange]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who's using marker.

Be Well

[cwlongshot]

Gotcha! Never thought of that. I've always just used blue indicator die like I use for setting gears in a rear-end or a tranny. Smoking definitely sounds easier and cheaper. This is why I'm on here.   

Dykem or Persian Blue is a layout fluid. Its good when actually removing material to see your staying square. That's what I use it for. As well as laying out a pattern on a piece of steel. A marker also works OK for this. But smoking the latch, will more accurately show whats happening when the latch closes.

The residue from a candle or lamp is super easily removed. It shows the slightest contact. A marker or layout fluid may not show such contact.

CW

[Darreld Walton]

Have used the oil lamp/high wick thing for years inletting wood.  Dykem for metal to metal.  Soot doesn't seem to give near as 'accurate' pattern on metal for my taste.  Your results may vary.

[SHOOTALL]

We used magic marker or a carbide lamp. We had lamps to black sights at matches .

[Papa Jack]

These also work well to set your reloading dies, you can tell just where it's sizing by putting a little "black" on the brass....
Wooden match, cardboard match, old candles,..
Be carefull though, if you are Smoking your Bullet casting mould cavities with a candle or some cardboard or fiber matches, That smoke will contain some paraffin and you will have wrinkles........                    "PJ"

[spooked]

When they say smoke the barrel latch area, I know what they are using it for, but what do you burn to smoke it, just taking ideas 

When I do that on cars ,I use grease, but the tolerances are quite different.

Zig zag papers! Oh! the metal parts,...candle or lamp..

[oldsoldja]

lol, I used to want that tattoo