doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Not so happy with Mike Orlen

I don't see where there is any toxic chemicals used for rust bluing. With certain rusting agents you have to wear gloves, but that is for fingerprints, only. It does take longer in the winter months because of the humidity, but that is why you use a rusting box with either a hot plate to keep the water warm or a few light bulbs to help bring the humidity up.

As suggested, give him the work that he does well, chokes.

I don't know. That was roughly the story I got from Coles but it was at least ten years ago and I may have gotten the details a bit mixed up. They do it outdoors and they don't do it in the winter.
They didn't seem all that anxious to do it either and they did say they wait til they have a bunch of them to do.

I asked Mike if he wanted the job.

My initial contact with him about this project included the rust blue part.

I received a price list, which included rust bluing. No other comments were attached to the price list.

This was three years ago, before the delays were reported by others.

A simple "I don't want a rust blue job" would have sufficed.

I've turned down jobs myself. I understand burnout.

The man is not obligated to work for me but a simple phone call would be nice, or even just send the barrels back.

Promises unkept are another matter and unacceptable.

Can't argue with that Mr. Jones. Maybe he needs to hire a customer relations person like Rich Cole has. He could just stay busy in the shop, then and let someone who is a little better at dealing with people, handle the phone. It is a common problem with gunsmiths that I think Rich Cole has solved.

I have no experience with Mike, but I do have a question: Why hasn't he responded to this thread?

Believe it or not, he is the Moderator on Shotgun World under Gunsmitting.

The user list here says he hasn't been on this forum since January, 2009. I think it's safe to assume he doesn't know about this thread.

Sounds like this thread should be posted there, as well.

If Mr. Orlen doesn't really want to blue (or blue a particular set of barrels) or bend stocks (or a particular stock), I'd think the thing to do would be to immmediately return the barrels or stock to the owner. Sounds like it would solve most of his PR issues.

Mike Orlen bent the stock on my Merkel 1620 about 1.5 years ago. He did a fine job, with quick turnaround and was much cheaper than many other stock benders. It was as hassle-free a transaction as is possible.

He's also bent 2 other guns for me since then, with equally good and hassle-free results.

I wouldn't hesitate to use him again.

--shinbone