The journey started hunting Iguana. The salty gulf air is harsh on any metals that oxidize. In this case. Any of the black oxide steel on the Impact. Including the scope rings, barrel, trigger group, screws, etc. anything exterior exposed to the elements. I cleaned religiously with an oiled cloth and would put her away.
Something had to give. I started looking at STAINLESS STEEL since thats what most use in a Marine environment. Cost on the hardware wasn't hateful at first. Then I went over the deepens and looked at tube. Well, Metric SS tube in USA isn't the most cost effective thing. Then I considered the Aluminum custom ones Raf was making. It is aluminum and if it corrodes, I'm back in the same boat. Stewed on it and was looking at other materials and solutions.
Carbon fiber Barrel carrier? Well, I was told a hard no from a few trusted in the industry. I still wanted to try. Didn't solve the Screw issue.
paint the screws? No, Every time you turn the screws, you remove the paint. Becomes an hassle.
TITANIUM. Lighter then Black Oxide steely ~60% and even more when compared to Stainless. Looks similar to stainless. However, no galling issues and we can personalize by anodizing ... Heat or Electro and anyone at their house can do any of these processes with household items. Corrosive resistance? Yep, against most everything except some acids that aren't in the wild. Anodizing it and messing up? Sand paper or WHIX and back to naked titanium. But I want it BLACK to match my gun and the theme it is already. Well, there is a heat and oil anodizing process you can do at your home,. The Dark bronze from heat looks great too. I like the bare titanium look so far the best. Matches my watch. Little carbon fiber maybe in the future for the stiffener.
Screws were horribly priced in the USA from $6-$13 EACH SCREW!!!!! So I sourced a manufacturer and ordered 5k of each size . Currently making go e other things too.
Here is what she looks like now. Any Ideas or feedback is welcome. Easiest to get me direct on FB /djmotomike or pm for other contact details as I'm not the most active here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALk4wA7BZiU
Something had to give. I started looking at STAINLESS STEEL since thats what most use in a Marine environment. Cost on the hardware wasn't hateful at first. Then I went over the deepens and looked at tube. Well, Metric SS tube in USA isn't the most cost effective thing. Then I considered the Aluminum custom ones Raf was making. It is aluminum and if it corrodes, I'm back in the same boat. Stewed on it and was looking at other materials and solutions.
Carbon fiber Barrel carrier? Well, I was told a hard no from a few trusted in the industry. I still wanted to try. Didn't solve the Screw issue.
paint the screws? No, Every time you turn the screws, you remove the paint. Becomes an hassle.
TITANIUM. Lighter then Black Oxide steely ~60% and even more when compared to Stainless. Looks similar to stainless. However, no galling issues and we can personalize by anodizing ... Heat or Electro and anyone at their house can do any of these processes with household items. Corrosive resistance? Yep, against most everything except some acids that aren't in the wild. Anodizing it and messing up? Sand paper or WHIX and back to naked titanium. But I want it BLACK to match my gun and the theme it is already. Well, there is a heat and oil anodizing process you can do at your home,. The Dark bronze from heat looks great too. I like the bare titanium look so far the best. Matches my watch. Little carbon fiber maybe in the future for the stiffener.
Screws were horribly priced in the USA from $6-$13 EACH SCREW!!!!! So I sourced a manufacturer and ordered 5k of each size . Currently making go e other things too.
Here is what she looks like now. Any Ideas or feedback is welcome. Easiest to get me direct on FB /djmotomike or pm for other contact details as I'm not the most active here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALk4wA7BZiU