Spare Parts #12 - Heat Bluing A Set Of Steel Clock Hands

[@BradReardon]

For not being a channel about physics, you did an EXCELLENT job of explaining thin-film interference to the layman. Can't wait for the next build video!

[@Clickspring]

+Brad Reardon ha ha! Thank you Brad! Physics was my favorite subject in school :)

[@BradReardon]

+Clickspring since I'm not sure it has been brought up before, what is your background in?

[@Clickspring]

+Brad Reardon A bit more info here: www.clickspringprojects.com/about.html

[@johnnyq90]

Seeing the metal getting blue is just magic. Amazing work!

[@Clickspring]

+johnnyq90 Thanks mate, appreciate you taking the time to watch :)

[@adamcain4603]

I must have watched this a million times. I can't get over how perfectly you polished those radius. I have spent hours polishing metal punches at work to mirror finishes with horse hair and all types of compounds and stones. Your blueing finishes are stunning and look like they were clear coated.

[@Clickspring]

+adam cain Thank you Adam, very much appreciate your encouragement :)

[@PracticalEngineeringChannel]

Awesome video. It would be cool to see the some of the heat processes with an IR camera.

[@Clickspring]

+Practical Engineering Yes it would, great idea.

[@alexanderpolivka6475]

i doubt it would be successful as all the parts are really, really shiny

[@ricardomaggiore5518]

Wow! Nice idea!

[@neut1121]

i don't see how that is cool

[@neilharris2896]

@@Clickspring Please do this?? :)

[@andreaquadrati]

Damn it Chris, it's the third time I watch all your vids about clockmaking. Stop being that skilled!

[@johnellison3030]

Andrea Quadrati Yeah, true ah.

[@ft7397]

yeah true and in the beginning it says amateur clockmaking. its more like proffetional

[@narcoleptic8982]

I'm on my third as well haha

[@markfryer9880]

Another AMAZING video from Clickspring. The level of craftsmanship, the quiet enthusiasm in Chris's narration, the quality of his video production. Little wonder this video has already been viewed over 55 K in just 24 hours with 4,374 likes. But who in their right mind would watch such a video and dislike it? Those 15 people must be crazy.

[@Clickspring]

+Mark Fryer Thanks for the encouragement Mark, very much appreciated :)

[@GSY-SM]

YAY! Clickspring Video! , I'm a welder/mechanical engineer by trade and I absolutely love watching these videos! Your a true craftsman!

[@Clickspring]

+Kieran Jones Cheers Kieran, very much appreciate your support

[@SlowlyLosinIt]

I'm just going to come out and say it. Chris, I want to personally thank you for making and showing us these outstanding projects/videos. No other artist in the world, with such talent would show anyone, their exact process of working on a piece of art. But you sir, show us, in detail, in DEPTH, what you learn, the best technique you find to do something while working on your projects. It's truly amazing, not only how high quality you videos are, but the quality of your work is. just....AMAZING. I love your videos, and you have an outstanding talent at what you do. I currently, do not have the money nor tools to make things like this, but one day, when I do, I will be using your methods. Again, no other artist would be willing to tell, yet alone SHOW, their process of creating a masterpiece. I thank you for actually teaching and showing us, your ways.

[@Clickspring]

+SlowlyLosinIt Very much appreciate your kind words mate, thank you.

[@RalphLBaer]

Exquisite. I could watch this meticulous sort of workmanship all day long.

[@Clickspring]

+Ralph L. Baer Thanks for watching Ralph

[@bensthingsthoughts]

You would perfectly fit in Switzerland !! At our machining class we had to file an entire C clamp to shape, watching you filling with so much care, our instructors would have like you very much !! Keep the great content coming !!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

+Ben's things & thoughts : I think this man is a bit above student level !

[@bensthingsthoughts]

He definitely is... That was my point ;)

[@Clickspring]

+Ben's things & thoughts Thank you Ben, very high praise indeed! I appreciate you tuning in for each release :)

[@TrevorDennis100]

Yes it took me back as well. One of my Apprentice Training sections was called Basic Fitting, in which we had to file a 1" steel cube that fitted into an 1" square hole we filed in 1/2" steel plate. I can't remember what tolerance we were allowed, but I am sure it was way looser than Chris is working to,

[@darrenlaberee8036]

Your attention to detail is phenomenal. I am envious of that alone, beautiful clock parts not withstanding. Always a great respite in my day when you upload a new segment. Fantastic production value as well. Thanx again

[@Clickspring]

+Darren Laberee Cheers Darren, very much appreciate you tuning in :)

[@killerkane1957]

Chris, outstanding example of heat bluing! Once again you outdid yourself. Su Amigo Siempre

[@Clickspring]

+KillerKane Thank you mate :)

[@mr1enrollment]

It is always an exciting moment when a new Clickspring video appears. Another great video. Thanks for all the work this must be to create.

[@Clickspring]

+Daniel Wahl Cheers Daniel, thanks for being patient :)

[@SublustrisRU]

Спасибо вам огромное за ваш труд! Впервые вижу настолько технически грамотное объяснение причин появления цветов побежалости. Продолжайте обязательно!

[@sjjw91]

there's something beautiful about perfectly polished and finished metal. And that blueing looks unreal!

[@wyldeman0O7]

Omg i love when these clickspring videos are uploaded!

[@radioactivewaste4756]

+wyldeman0O7 yeh but u have to wait for a month b4 the next one comes out :(

[@justgonnastay]

Quality takes time.

[@darthcookie4096]

+Chris Moore very true

[@KayWhyTee]

I love that you explained the way the blue appears, with the oxide layer thickness and all that information, very good!

[@elidouek5438]

Chris your cinematic talent of making your shop feel so much bigger than it is is really amazing. Keep up the good work!

[@Clickspring]

+eli douek Cheers Eli, thanks for the support mate :)

[@boozoochavis7506]

Sure beats the heck out of the lousy cold chemical blue from a bottle - beautiful hand work ... softening the edges of the hands was the finest of details! Thanks for sharing these videos - the whole end product is fantastic.

[@crolodon8024]

You managed to get what looks to me like a flawless polish on those hands! Really beautiful work, I cant wait to see them doing their job.

[@markdebarr3501]

Beautiful parts, beautifully produced video. Why can't the mainstream broadcasters produce programming to this standard? Thanks for sharing.

[@Clickspring]

+Mark de Barr Cheers Mark, appreciate your support :)

[@Hexlattice]

Best explanation of thin film interference I've heard! Amazing video content produced, as always, Chris!

[@Clickspring]

+EngineerGunter Cheers Gunter :)

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Another excellent tutorial, heat bluing is indeed a "Black Art", at least now the viewers of this video will be able to see just how much effort goes into achieving this. Many thanks for posting this!

[@Clickspring]

+Englishman French Ha ha! So true! I appreciate your support EF, cheers

[@SmokyFrosty]

This is just too good. I would watch this all day if I could. Great Video Sir

[@Clickspring]

+SmokyFrosty Cheers, thanks for watching :)

[@janes-e378]

Hi,i think ive watched most of yr vids twice or more,the old techniques you try and wish to achieve is nothing less than amazing,your the type of guy that I'd love to be taught by and work beside as most of us trades people are slowly disappearing and being replaced with the electric mechanical revolution which i think it is a real shame,thankyou for all your hard work and progress and wish you the best for the future.cheers chris

[@ATrustInThrust]

Your work is unimaginably good

[@jeremiahmort4294]

I watch a lot of KZbin documentary type of videos (replaces nearly all of my TV watching) and it is rare that I am blown away by something new. Truly impressive mix of knowledge, precision, and camera work. Thank you for making these videos. They are a joy to experience.

[@Clickspring]

+Jeremiah Mort Terrific to have you watching Jeremiah :)

[@thomasutley]

So nice to see you back with a new video, Chris. Appreciate showing a do-over of the bluing, too. I often learn more from my mistakes than I do when all goes to plan.

[@Clickspring]

+Thomas Utley Cheers Tom, no shortage of do-overs at my place :)

[@toobeetoobeetoo]

I wish there was a way to give your video, and this series, a higher rating than just liking and subscribing. It's special interest, so the subject matter is never going to reach critical mass and become a video phenom. But for people interested in clockwork, machining, science, DIY and others I can't think of, should really know that these videos are of the utmost quality in content, videography, editing, and sound. Absolutely everything is perfect. I mean, he even transcribes the video for the hearing impaired, or if you just want to go to a specific spot! I have shown these videos to many of my friends and all of them comment how impressed they are with the quality. A couple of them now look for things on youtube because of these.

[@Clickspring]

+Marvin Rock Terrific to have your support Marvin, and very much appreciate you going the extra mile to share with friends

[@danielareson6008]

Your voice has an unbelievably soothing quality to it. You should narrate children's stories

[@Clickspring]

+Daniel Areson Thank you Daniel, very pleased you're enjoying the videos :)

[@birddog61999]

Every new video you put out Chris just amazes me. I don't know how long you have been doing this sort of work, but you are very skilled at it. Thank you for taking the time and dealing with the hassle of filming to make these videos for us.

[@Clickspring]

+The Betrayer Very much appreciate you taking the time to watch :)

[@TheDutyPaid]

Great to see you back, I've missed watching your fantastic videos. I find them very relaxing to watch. With your attention to detail and producing parts that look like fine jewellery. How could anyone dislike this is beyond me.

[@Clickspring]

+TheDutyPaid Thanks very much for watching :)

[@chrisstephens6673]

+TheDutyPaid The simple answer is, jealousy.

[@nakulverma7148]

Worth the wait. Thanks Chris, fantastic video as always. Looking forward to the next one.

[@Clickspring]

+Nakul Verma Cheers Nakul, another spare parts video out next Sunday

[@davidmacglashan4206]

Love your work, great explanation on bluing and hardening.

[@Clickspring]

+david macglashan Cheers David, thank you very much for watching

[@conflagrationTuesday]

Hands down the most interesting channel on KZbin. Thanks so much, Chris, you've done a fantastic job.

[@Clickspring]

+conflagrationTuesday Thanks for your support, much appreciated :)

[@JayEllis76]

Your clockmaking videos make me think I'm watching How Its Made, and I loved that series, and now I like this one!

[@Clickspring]

+Jarrod “Cal/Rusty” Ellis Terrific Jarrod, great to have you watching

[@JayEllis76]

No problem ^^

[@Trueenglishgent1]

Chris I'm a machinist buy trade and make some cool things but this is next level so glad I found clickspring on utube ,please keep these great videos coming .

[@Clickspring]

+Trueenglishgent1 Will do TEG, thanks very much for taking the time to watch :)

[@matt_williams1015]

Great video as always. I really enjoyed the explanation of the bluing process and why oxidation reflects the different wavelengths.

[@Eggbert1701]

Thanks ever so much for explaining this process. I've been watching this project through out, and was quite confused by the blueing process! Thanks for taking your time to go through this.

[@Clickspring]

+James Parker Cheers James, thanks for watching :)

[@lancer2204]

A pleasure to watch, as always.

[@Clickspring]

+Andrew Rouen Cheers Andrew, thanks for watching :)

[@Clickspring]

+zumbazumba1 The shavings are there for heat conduction, so I'm guessing that the alloy composition probably doesn't have a significant effect

[@marsitown1]

Thank you very much for this video, I have asked myself million times how would have the "blueing" worked. Nice job

[@juanrivero8]

Thank you for a very clear explanation of the tempering colo(u)rs. I also thank you for the reference to "Tubal Cain" AKA the late and great T.D. Walshaw. I have the book, Workshop Practice #1, and use it frequently. I also recommend to all hobby machinists you look at all the titles. There are about 20 of them and available (amazon.com) today. I have about 5 of them and plan to acquire a few more! Professional machinists know it already, but we amateurs have to start somewhere.

[@Clickspring]

+Juan Rivero Thoroughly agree, the Workshop Practice Series of books are excellent. Cheers Juan :)

[@karlish8799]

Thanks for the mini Science lesson, really interesting. Great video too, Cheers Chris.

[@KirillTitov]

Awesome! Your videos are sooo calming and peaceful :) Please make vids more often, if possible.

[@keatontaylor3612]

When I first saw the clock hands my heart skipped a beat. I love your clock making series!

[@Jensen567]

Cant get enough of your videos, have watched all of them. Didn't realize you had a Patreon, just became a patron.

[@Clickspring]

+Jensen567 Thank you for the Patreon support, very much appreciated :)

[@chadgdry3938]

that was a great explanation of the effort to blue with heat, I had no idea that level of prep was involved.. Cool

[@TrevorDennis100]

Yes, it was most enlightening. I learned to blue small steel parts at the Ford apprentice training school just over 50 years ago, and were not taught half the detail that Chris has shown us. I will be trying the bluing techniques out very soon, and hoping to impresses my buddies at the Menz Shed.

[@KingTesticus]

remarkable! i love watching these videos. what you make look so easy and flawless is obviously the result of numerous mistakes off-camera. a lot like juggling. no one sees the HOURS of practice these performers invest, only the 30 minute show where they look amazing. i generally thumbs-up your videos before i've even finished watching :-)

[@Clickspring]

+KingTesticus Bluing larger parts like this is hugely time consuming, and you are correct this took several attempts to get the desired result. 3 attempts per hand, with still some small imperfections in each. But by then I had had enough, and decided I was happy to live with it :)

[@thefauvel7558]

Everything you make is nothing short of perfect! Unbelievable work my friend!

[@DonDomel]

10 minutes of total Sunday Relax !!! thank you !!! greetings from Poland :)

[@Clickspring]

+DonDomel Cheers! Greetings from Australia :)

[@russhellmy]

Great job, one of the best and most uniform bluing of steel I've ever seen.

[@Everfalling]

"yay! new clickspring video!... oh.. i've already watched this through patreon. damn!"

[@Clickspring]

+Everfalling Ha ha! More for you soon!

[@ianwhittinghill]

A new Clickspring video always makes my day! Thanks Chris.

[@Clickspring]

+Ian Whittinghill Cheers Ian, appreciate you tuning in mate :)

[@jesscneal]

Chris - the finished hands look like a rendering. Absolute mirror finish. Great work mate :)

[@Clickspring]

+Jess Neal Cheers Jess :)

[@Skidryn]

I always get excited when I see a new Clickspring video in my sub box. Even at 5am local time. Its just so satisfying to watch this amazing piece of precision come to life.

[@alaingaillard7879]

Missed you and your gogeous videos. Nakul is right : worth the wait... Still amazed by your work and the quality of the editing.

[@Clickspring]

+Alain Gaillard Thanks for watching Alain :)

[@mechmotion]

I'm glad you post videos a few weeks apart. If it was any more frequent, I wouldn't be able to leave the computer. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished clock!

[@Clickspring]

+Tom Linsenmeier Cheers Tom! New clock episode out on YT in approx a week :)

[@Dsp.Studios]

The dictionary people should replace "perfection" with Clickspring. what can I say, absolutely clickspring!!!

[@Clickspring]

+Paul S. Cheers Paul, very much appreciate your support :)

[@mcwurth]

seeing every new video pop up of clickspring makes my day always better! Love your videos and explainations!

[@jasonhenley84]

i was going through withdrawals not knowing how the clock was coming! awesome videos every time.

[@Clickspring]

+j If there should be a long gap again in the future, be assured video making is still happening. Thanks for watching J :)

[@ConorMasterson]

This channel is great for teaching me all sorts of things I never knew I never knew.

[@azyfloof]

Chris! I've missed you and this series! :O Happy weekend! :D I'm still blown away by how beautifully crisp and precise all the corners and edges of all the parts are. It's immaculate!

[@profglac]

The greatest reward for a job well done is to have it done...

[@michaeldean4362]

The man. The myth. The legend. Clickspring has returned!!!

[@kc9fjb]

I love to see progress made on this project! Part of me wants you to finish so I can go back and watch all the videos in a row, and part of me never wants it to end! Keep up the great work!

[@Clickspring]

+Crimson13 6 more episodes to go in this build, and the next project to follow this one is well into development too, so plenty more to come :)

[@kagi95]

Didn't know Tubal Cain wrote books. He's a living legend. Learning from the best I see :)

[@KosmosHorology]

The author of that book is NOT Tubal Cain on KZbin (aka Lyle Peterson). It's an older British man (deceased years ago).

[@kagi95]

Kosmos Horology Gotcha!

[@mark314158]

+Kosmos Horology That man was the legendary Tom Walshaw who wrote hundreds of articles and books including the Workshop Practice series. I am deeply uneasy about Lyle Peterson adopting the same name. Perhaps it is the American attitude that anything that happens outside the USA "doesn't matter". But it does genuinely cause confusion.

[@juanrivero8]

+Kosmos Horology You must forgive our American insularity (and we're not even an island!). But I have a great many of Tom Walshaws's books. Unfortunately there is no trademark on the name; it is a bibllical reference. T.D. Walshaw would have really enjoyed the KZbin Model Enineering (not to mention clockmaking) community.

[@illmnts]

+mark314158 Tubal Cain is metal worker mentioned in the bible. It's likely a coincidence but it's not like it's an unusual alias for a metalworker to adopt. It's used a lot be Freemasons as well. If you ever see a guy wearing a pin with a stick and two balls on it it's a inside joke for masons.

[@GaryGrumble]

Those hands are absolutely beautiful!

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Amazing work as always!

[@DarthRoeder]

When I first found your channel, I spent the evening watching every video you've posted. I have been and continue to be fascinated and entertained by the process as a whole and can't wait for the finished product. I have been hoping you'd post a video about the bluing process and, lo and behold, here it is! Excellent work, sir. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@Clickspring]

+Brian Roeder Cheers Brian, great to have you watching :)

[@feefeee]

Well, time for another Clickspring binge

[@Ivo--]

Incredibly deep colour, amazing!

[@shiv1g]

Mr. Perfectionist 👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@mikehoare1338]

What you are seeing here, is not only knowledge, it´s also talent

[@pierresgarage2687]

Hi Chris, I regularly use hardening and tempering to get the needed properties from metals, in this process I use a small oven with with a PDI to get determined and stable temperature, wouldn't you benefit from such a oven to get more controlled results? Since there is a way to make those for kinda cheap. Thanks for those great videos, you just give me the urge to try the cosmetic blueing......... ;) Pierre

[@Clickspring]

+pierre beaudry Hey Pierre, I have seen several excellent home oven and shop made hotplate designs that can deliver superb temperature control.

[@pierresgarage2687]

The one I have is self made from a copper enameling unit bought real cheap, not more than 150$ Can. it's even visible in some of my videos, works great within a few deg. C... ;)

[@kevinkorthuis6365]

So happy to see another one of your videos. I really enjoy how technical you get in this one; see you work is amazing but hearing why you do what you do adds so much. Looking forward to more!

[@Clickspring]

+Kevin Korthuis Cheers Kevin, very much appreciate you tuning in for each release :)

[@AleksandarKospenda]

Oh dear god this is perfection.

[@Clickspring]

+Aleksandar Kospenda Thanks for watching Aleksandar :)

[@Ak47ram]

Just came across your channel and I'm completely blown away by your awesome "amateur" workmanship, production value and presentation!!

[@Clickspring]

Thanks for taking the time to check it out Akram :)

[@ChrisB257]

Another great video Chris. :) Beautiful result.

[@smayjr72]

Wow! Your attention to detail is awe inspiring!

[@bitfreakazoid]

So you harden the steel because it polishes better, but then temper it because it is to fragile? Also, if it is tempered to the blue, then polished, and then tempered again for color, does that second tempering lower it's hardness even more? Another also, since you are doing the second temper to get the blue color which is achieve at a specific temperature, could you set up a furnace to heat to that specific temperature that way you don't have to worry about getting an even color with the handheld torch?

[@Clickspring]

+bitfreakazoid Yes, correct. Subsequent tempering to the same temperature makes no further metallurgical changes. Ovens can deliver superb results, but it is still not simple, just a little more controlled - direct observation and careful manipulation of the temperature are still required to get a consistent result.

[@bitfreakazoid]

Interesting. Thanks for the response!! Love your videos, very inspirational.

[@Deedeedee137]

I love all of his videos for educational and machining is interesting reasons, so I don't want to be reductive of either their value or his work, but I swear I could just listen to him talk for days.

[@ryPish]

Listen, you can throw all the science you want at me, this still feels like magic. And I really don't mind that.

[@RedHillian]

Thanks for the new video! I've just re-watched the series so far - partly for the soothing and engrossing care you take with all your parts and tools, and also for the narration and camera work; it's very relaxing. And thanks for the science lesson!

[@Clickspring]

+Tom Wilcox (Yvel Saint Laurent) Cheers Tom, very much appreciate your support :)

[@SeanGreezy]

What is the material you make a "cave" out of when you harden the part?

[@Clickspring]

+smg4799 Kaowool ceramic wool, thanks for watching

[@Ravaxr]

Absolutely fascinating. The explanations are very clear, instructions very good, and results stunning. Takes me back to learning physics in school, with the added bonus of gorgeous machined parts throughout.

[@DoRC]

These videos are like meditation. Moar videos!

[@timberdish]

I'm grateful for you going over the processes that contribute to the bluing as I did wonder what the reasons behind it were. Thanks again for yet another brilliant video!

[@Clickspring]

+Matt Jones Cheers Matt, thanks for watching the vid :)

[@MarkRose1337]

The clock is going to be stunning when finished!

[@NochSoEinKaddiFan]

This is a very special blue tone, it is marvelous!

[@lbcustomknives]

Very cool Chris

[@Clickspring]

+lbcustomknives Cheers Lee :)

[@InstrucTube]

Ugh, all your stuff is so clean and neat. I'm envious. Nice job!

[@Sonicbolt456]

YOUR VOICE IS MORE SOOTHING THAN MORGAN FREEMAN!

[@JustinAlexanderBell]

+Sonicbolt Freeman

[@BEFEGE]

+Sonicbolt And also, the Australian accent is a icing on the cake

[@blkhemi3925]

I just commented that I want a pillow made out of his voice

[@TheBearuk1]

awesome, i find it almost like meditation watching your videos Chris, its so satisfying to see the attention to detail and the care taken in every aspect of the building of this clock! It's going to be a thing of beauty thats for sure and the feeling of satisfaction for a master craftsman such as yourself must be the best feeling! Thank you!

[@Clickspring]

+TheBearuk1 Cheers Bear, appreciate the kind words mate :)

[@mrkhajiit4744]

Love the close up cutting veiws so hipnotic watching these vids😀

[@therichieboy]

This is beautiful. I came here looking for advice on heat blueing my watch screws but don't think I'll bother now! I applaud watchmakers for being able to do this stuff on such a small scale!

[@aipresenting]

Your vids are simply a piece of art!

[@mericelik22]

that deep blue looks so good it is equally blued everywhere very nice

[@poppypuppy5372]

I love the colour of these items, it's gorgeous. When the process fails, as the colour is due to a layer of ferrous oxide, i.e. rust, couldn't you just dip them in a bath of weak phosphoric acid, such as Killrust, as opposed to going through the laborious prosess of removing the oxide layer and repolishing?

[@Clickspring]

Possibly, although the oxide comes off in seconds, and the repolish is similarly quick because all of the hard work has already been done. Thanks for watching

[@poppypuppy5372]

Come to think of it, that would result in a film of ferric phosphate. It would be interesting to see if that gave a different colour when reheated.

[@bubolzkm]

Phosphating is more similar to low temp gun bluing - so a silver-black appearance, can also be matte black depending on thickness.

[@vincentdieleman1463]

I really missed your videos, you are doing an incredible job, and the attention you pay to details is amazing ! The quality of the video is really impressive too

[@Clickspring]

+Vincent Dieleman Cheers Vincent, I appreciate you taking the time to watch

[@trackie1957]

I can only imagine how many “Oh S&$t!” moments are behind these videos. You only get this good by screwing up and learning!