Black T-Nuts

[SouthernHolsters]

I had searched for black t-nuts before with no luck. For me, the only part that would need to be black is the flat back side.

[BluegrassHolsters]

Definitely worth loking into, then. I haven't had the best luck with their cold blueing or brass black, though. It tends to wear off somewhat easily in my experience.

I agree....neither product works well in my experience. I spoke with Jeff today and advised him of a company marketing a DIY kit for blackening parts. I spoke with them and have arranged to send him some t-nuts in an effort to see which of their products works the best. I will keep everyone up to date. The logistics of a large scale purchase to meet the demands of large companies offering the service may well be cost prohibitive and thus the idea of the home brew. At this time the average investment of the chemicals would be around $200....give or take a bit depending on what the company says we need for these parts.

[K-Man]

Why don't ya'll take a minute (and a breather) and think about who uses the blackened t-nuts in the manufacturing of their holsters. Then contact them and ask them where they get them from. You might be able to buy them direct from that manufacturer or they may turn you on to where they get them from.... It's really that simple.

[Shorts]

Staying tuned

Brock, will this DIY kit be for multiple types of metal? McMaster has several varieties of Tnuts. Which and why? I'll keep looking around.

Edited June 2, 2008 by Shorts

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Why don't ya'll take a minute (and a breather) and think about who uses the blackened t-nuts in the manufacturing of their holsters. Then contact them and ask them where they get them from. You might be able to buy them direct from that manufacturer or they may turn you on to where they get them from.... It's really that simple.

K-man, that's the first idea I had, but I never found anyone that would share a source with me. I even asked the folks on the pistolsmith forum quite a while back with no luck. If you have a source we sure would appreciate it.

[K-Man]

You've been in the business of making holsters for a while now - who uses them regulary? Don't think leather - think kydex.... Pick/choose any of those manufacturers....

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

DOH!!! You got me there.

I never asked any of the kydex holster manufacturers. I have only seen them use non barbed t-posts or chicago screws. Thanks for the idea, I'll give it a shot.

[BluegrassHolsters]

Why don't ya'll take a minute (and a breather) and think about who uses the blackened t-nuts in the manufacturing of their holsters. Then contact them and ask them where they get them from. You might be able to buy them direct from that manufacturer or they may turn you on to where they get them from.... It's really that simple.

Perhaps, although I spoke with some of the kydex makers many moons ago and none were willing to share their source. I have suspected all along they paid to have a large batch oxided, chromed or whatever.....but then again perhaps I was not taking my sweet pills that day. Certainly if you know of a source and would like to share it we would be appreciative and could save some time. At present we are either going to have a large scale purchase organized here, or there will be a solution (no pun intended) which will allow each of us to have a professional alternative in our respective locations.....investing a couple hundred dollars might well make sense....

How's your health Kevin? Hope all remains well with you. take care of yourself!

Staying tuned

Brock, will this DIY kit be for multiple types of metal? McMaster has several varieties of Tnuts. Which and why? I'll keep looking around.

yes, according to the company (and again I want to see evidence of their product before investing money and touting them here) you could choose chemicals for aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or zinc plated items. The problem with the ZP is that some zinc is eroded in the chemical process....if the item is not heavily plated in zinc, the process can erode enough that there will be insufficient zinc left to blacken. In this case it appears that one would have to then go add a chemical designed for the underlying metal adding to the overall expense.

I have another similar company to speak with tomorrow and will set up a trial there, too, before announcing any results and pointing anyone the a particular business doors. The bluing ideas do not seem solid at this point, and neither does the idea of duracoating as the manufacturer suggested that the nuts be sandblasted prior to application of the duracoat which negated most of the idea for me as I do not want to take up that much permanent real estate in my shop.

Hang tight everyone......I will be posting information on my research within the next week as I get some answers. Perhaps Kevin will post some solutions, or Jeff may have some luck, too.

take care

Edited June 3, 2008 by BluegrassHolsters

[Shorts]

yes, according to the company (and again I want to see evidence of their product before investing money and touting them here) you could choose chemicals for aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or zinc plated items. The problem with the ZP is that some zinc is eroded in the chemical process....if the item is not heavily plated in zinc, the process can erode enough that there will be insufficient zinc left to blacken. In this case it appears that one would have to then go add a chemical designed for the underlying metal adding to the overall expense.

I hadn't even considered that but that's a fairly significant scenario.

Thanks for the update all around.

[K-Man]

I found them at a number of the kydex holster manufacturers. Only one was willing to reveal his source, but you had to buy in very large quantity, i.e., 25-50 thousand. The majority of the others were willing to sell from their stock.

Edited June 3, 2008 by K-Man