Spare parts #9 - Making A Rectangular Bluing Tray

Making A Rectangular Bluing Tray, by Clickspring

It can be a bit hit and miss getting a consistent, uniform blue on long slender parts like clock hands. So I made a third component for the bluing tray set, to do the job right. Using a scrap piece of brass left over from the frames of the current clock build, I used a shop made D bit to mill some grooves so that it could be folded into the shape of a box.

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Abbreviated Transcript:

00:03 This bluing tray set that I made in a previous video has been working well for bluing screws and other small parts.
00:20 Some of the blued parts coming up in the clock build in the near future, are quite long and thin, so a longer tray will be required when I blue them.
00:29 However the box shape would present a bit of a challenge at the soldering stage if it was made of separate parts, so I'm making it as one piece that can then be folded into shape. Now there a quite a few ways to tackle this job, but I thought I'd show you a mill equivalent of the super glue arbor you've seen me use so often on the lathe
00:54 I'm using this block of aluminium to hold the workpiece, and the first thing I'm going to do is give it a light resurface with this flycutter. The flycutter is shop made, and has quite a lot of mass in the disc, and generally gives me a smooth cut.
01:30 Acetone cleans off the surface, and a light coating of glue is enough to hold the part. Once the work is in position, pressure from the spindle holds it in place as the glue cures.
01:44 I can now machine all of the exposed surfaces in the one operation, starting with the perimeter. I've made this D Bit cutter specifically to cut the v grooves. Click the link if you'd like to see a video showing how this was made.
02:18 The cutter has an included angle of 92 degrees, which is going to help when it comes to bending everything to shape later. I also shifted the cutter across to take a final skim cut on the sides of each groove, to create a little more space for the solder to fill.
02:39 And as always with superglue, a gentle heat breaks the bond. The little corner pieces need to be removed before I can fold the box to shape, so I used a jewellers saw takes care of those, and then I tidied up the saw cut on the belt sander.
03:18 I set about forming it into the shape of a box, with some flux, silver solder and tying wire. Now that the brass is annealed, it bends easily without cracking, leaving a small gap for the solder.
04:30 The brass holds the box shape well when its cool, but it'll flex and sag quite a lot when under heat, so I used some soft tying wire to bind it all together for the soldering operation. A little more flux, and then a good measure of silver solder was placed into position, enough to form a decent fillet when it flows.
05:41 The corners came out quite close and square, but I decided it would be better to round
them off, to match the curve of the bent edges. Then I took the part back to the mill, to form the thread for the handle.
06:14 Now the tray should lean comfortably on the handle when its sitting on the bench, so the feet need to be positioned slightly forward of the center of gravity to achieve this. Using a scrap rod, I decided on a pivot distance that gave a good result, and then formed the holes and threads for the feet.

References:

"The Model Engineers Workshop Manual" pg 94
George H Thomas

The many forum posts on the subject of D Bits
by John "Bogstandard" Moore

Making A Rectangular Bluing Tray, by Clickspring.

[Nighthawkinlight]

Cool way to make a box. I wouldn't have considered that sort of corner joint with brass.

[SetMyLife]

The quality of your videos is immense. I absolutely adore watching them.

[LaFabriqueDIY]

Completely hypnotized by the quality of the videos, the tools and the know-how !

[Rggmiranda]

I have absolutely no idea about anything of what you do, I don't even work with metal. But watching your videos is just hypnotic, the quality of the things you make and the stunning filming quality are just impressive. Congratulations

[barkebaat]

0:24 - The resulting blue colour is so attractive !

[thelefthandedwife]

Chris, has anyone ever told you how wonderfully pleasant and warm your voice is? It's not just the novelty of the Aussie accent (I'm American, not something I get to hear often) but the fact that I can actually HEAR the smile when you talk. Love it.

[Vane]

Mad respect for your craftsmanship, the finish you get on your surfaces is impeccable mate.

[tycoonlover]

Looks great, Clickspring! Though I'm not much of a machinist, your videos are fairly entertaining, especially when I have nothing to do. Thanks for making 'em!

[FrankGraffagnino]

i swear it is like therapy watching these videos.

[kopfjager]

This is the world standard for instructional videos. Clear, concise and understandable.

[dieselstruck]

The quality of these videos... I need to get a lathe, mill and some brass to make something. Whatever it is, but I need to!

[bagelSC]

Your voice, camera work, and editing is completely stunning!

[mavos]

The precision in what you do is incredible. You are a master craftsman in every sense and it’s a privilege and a pleasure to watch you work.

[RubSomefastOnIt]

love seeing how different minds attack a problem. This is a beautiful solution to a fairly simple project, with hundreds of ways to go about making it.

[ChrisB]

Superb Chris - another gem.
Not sure how you seem to maintain such 'surgical' cleanliness! Keep 'em coming - always a joy to watch and thank you.

[stompingfreak]

You had plenty of kit before you started this project. Most expensive making of I’ve ever seen. Yet very interesting, entertaining, informative.

[shanejones]

I found your channel from a recommendation of another youtuber named AvE. You my friend are quite a skilled professional. I've always preferred with working and dealing with persons like yourself and mr. AvE, because you can ensure that the work or dealings will likely be above reproach. Keep on keeping on friend...

[reginaldcrudstump]

Hi Chris, I am in awe of your craftsmanship skills and your videos are a pure joy to watch.
Thanks for showing us your work.

[Micscience]

Clickspring stop pretending that you are not aware that we are addicted to your videos you know exactly how much impression you got on us! you got me!!! just messing around. Cool videos as usual clean, soft voice and precise the essence of machining but with a homemade/hobbyist style added to it.

[EyeBallGamers]

Im 15 and i've been watching you for quite some time now, i would just like to thank you for these videos, they have inspired me so much and i love the look of all your work!