Belgian 1889 Project

[Aragorn243]

I can't answer on the SL8. I never even would have seen that gun. If it doesn't have wood on it, it's invisible to me. I've never had a problem at Hamburg. I've bought a lot from them. Wasn't really a huge problem at Christiana either other than they had 2 people doing the paperwork and had 15 guys in line waiting.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

I have it in the bath this morning. Been in for 45 minutes. Wasn't seeing much action so turned up the charger to 12 volts, 6 amps and it's making more bubbles now. I put almost everything in there so might have put too much in for the lower setting. Small parts were bubbling but not the barrel or action. First setting was 6 volts, 2 amps.

[browningautorifle]

Now the hard part of waiting. Give it time. I know we had longer more detailed threads here somewhere, there were pics too. That must have been a really long time ago...

[Aragorn243]

It's been about 2 hours now. I wire brushed the orange off most of the parts and put them back in. Looks like it's working. Just went out to check it, good thing I did, I tripped the GFCI when I plugged it back in. It wasn't doing anything.

[browningautorifle]

That would have sucked...come back the next day and it's all rusted again from just soaking... Be patient, this will become a fixation to see how much more rust will come off. Let it do as much as it will...can't wait to see the end result.

[Aragorn243]

I've been checking it about every 15 minutes. It's just outside. I'm thinking I will shut it down after 4 and clean everything up and put things that still need it back in. The small items will probably be done by then. I just hope I'll be able to get the sleeve off after this. I don't like the thought of all that water in there now with no way for any rust, etc to get out. I may end up baking the barrel just to dry it out. Probably just set it on top of a heater. One thing I've noticed is that it is not turning all soupy and thick on top of the water. It's just getting cloudy I have 5 gallons of water in the sled so maybe that's why, not as concentrated.

[browningautorifle]

I just hope I'll be able to get the sleeve off after this.

Strap wrench? Hold the rest in a padded vice? Someone here must have done that, I'd be tempted to warm the threads with a torch. That might be bad though. Someone here will know...

[Aragorn243]

I have a book which does not mention the 1889 but does discuss the 88 commission rifle. They should come off by hand. This one is obviously rusted on. I don't know if the electrolysis will get at the stuff in the threads or not. Hoping it does. Warming is mentioned but can discolor the metal. Not that it is an issue with this one. I may go that route.

[Aragorn243]

Four hour cleaning and things are looking good. Was able to move the rear sight slide and get the magazine removed from the trigger assembly. Moved the barrel closer to the rebar and it is bubbling away now. So proximity does appear to make a big difference. Four screws now clean.

[browningautorifle]

Sounds like it's doing fine. Maybe the jacket will need an over night dousing of Kroil or some such after...maybe not. Strap wrench... That buttstock heel will be a pig though, couple guys here have done wonders. frankderrico might be a good candidate for you just sending the stock and stand back...if you look at some of the resurrections he's performed?