Excuse me Gentlemen, but am I to understand that a process developed by our forefathers is not to be passed on by mentoring anymore unless we pay our dues?
I am very sure that Oscar would turn in his grave if he was to hear that a fellow artisan was being impeded through lack of co-operation.
How sad that the skill of colour hardening has to be relearned by trial and error, not to mention considerable expense. Because someone who has the knowledge is not prepared to pass it on.
Especially when the OP mentioned that he has paid his dues and bought but unfortunately misplaced his original copy. Where would we be if people had not passed their knowledge on to Oscar?
A very informative sub forum on CC Hardening can be found here:-
http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3732It runs to 24 pages in length and is the most informative I have ever come across on the WWW. The thread started by JimD goes along the difficult path of learning the art and he shows his methods and results along the way. It is a
MUST READ for anyone wanting to know how CCH is accomplished.
Whilst I have the greatest respect for Dr.Oscar Gaddy it is also with respect that I say he got some things wrong. Hardness and magnificent colours can be obtained at lower temperatures than Gaddy used and without the warpage usually encountered. Certainly a little does occur, but very little. Quenching is a vital part of the colouring process and to get it even colours on both sides of a part required more than just a quick dunk in the water barrel. Even that is explored, covered and methods developed for ensuring consistancy.
Don't take my word for it, read the whole thread.
Harry
