Rust bluing barrels. Who to use?

[Jim DiSpagno]

Gerry Andrews. 1-304-843-1740
Brian Dudley 1-585-260-5975

[john pulis]

You may want to call Buck Hamlin in Missouri and/or Dale Edmonds in Kansas City. I have had barrels rust blued by both and they both do nice work. Not fast and not cheap but right.

[B. Dudley]

I must say that I don't like what is going on here. You ask for references, as if it is hard to find people that rust blue vintage doubles... And that is what some members did is give you plenty of references.

Instead of just contacting them and making your decision, you start posting the results of the pricing that some provide you with.

Sounds to me you are looking for the lowest price, plain and simple.

In my opinion, pricing on services is between the customer and the craftsman on a given job and is not for public airing out or ridicule.

I know that some have mentioned my name and contact info above, but quite frankly, don't call me because I won't quote you. I don't play that game.

[Himark]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

I must say that I don't like what is going on here. You ask for references, as if it is hard to find people that rust blue vintage doubles... And that is what some members did is give you plenty of references.

Instead of just contacting them and making your decision, you start posting the results of the pricing that some provide you with.

Sounds to me you are looking for the lowest price, plain and simple.

In my opinion, pricing on services is between the customer and the craftsman on a given job and is not for public airing out or ridicule.

I know that some have mentioned my name and contact info above, but quite frankly, don't call me because I won't quote you. I don't play that game.

I appreciate you not wanting to share your prices Brian and respect your opinion. I will not contact you per your wishes.

However, this is a forum to share information to find vendors and share ideas. As such competitive pricing plays a part of this. If I were to keep pricing in a PM would that information help others? No it would not...

As you noticed another user did not price your services they simply posted what the market is bearing according to what others are charging in your field. In no way does that mean you need to charge this. You are free to charge what ever you feel you can. BUT, that does not mean that us the consumers need to keep it under wraps as to not let other consumers know they may or may not of paid to much.

If the fellows price is to high for his services the market will self correct that. IF it is NOT to high than there would be NO REASON to not be transparent about the cost of the service. That would just re-enforce that he must be high if he needs to keep his price unpublished.

**I myself am a tradesman and sell my services. I have been doing this for 29 years and you are welcome to get an estimate from me anytime and share it with as many people as you can.**

[B. Dudley]

My pricing is not unpublished. I state right on my website that rust bluing of double barrels STARTS at $350. Price goes up from there dependant on the amount of additional polishing is needed on a given basis.

And a lot of other reputable names in the business have published prices as to these types of services.

You staying that you contacted Bachelder and that his price of $600 was too high for you and that you will keep looking was out of line. He runs a reputable shop that gets a lot of vintage restoration business and if his rate is too high for you, then move on, no need to air it out here.

I am done discussing this topic.

[MD*GSP]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

I must say that I don't like what is going on here. You ask for references, as if it is hard to find people that rust blue vintage doubles... And that is what some members did is give you plenty of references.

Instead of just contacting them and making your decision, you start posting the results of the pricing that some provide you with.

Sounds to me you are looking for the lowest price, plain and simple.

In my opinion, pricing on services is between the customer and the craftsman on a given job and is not for public airing out or ridicule.

I know that some have mentioned my name and contact info above, but quite frankly, don't call me because I won't quote you. I don't play that game.

Agreed 100%

Word of mouth is one thing, published on the interweb subject to banter gone wild - uncouth plain and simple.

These men (or women) are in business and it is not a business to make big bucks - it's a business driven by passion which takes much skill...this should be respected.

[Mills]

You get what you pay for. Not true with everything, but true with gunsmiths on old guns

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

Bachelders would not Quote 600 unless additional work was requested. We attempt to quote a range, but can not give a firm quote without the barrels in hand.

Brad

[winplumber]

I know one thing ,If any of the names mentioned here were not Honest Fair and Darn good at what they do their names would not of been mentioned . Thanks guys for what you do !

[MD*GSP]

There's a gentleman down in Tennessee by the name of Charles Danner (Danner Gunsmithing)

He reworked a set of 16ga Merkel bbls for me - he does beautiful work and turned it around just as quickly as he said he would. Merkel bbls aren't too shabby to begin with but he made them look even better - they truly are gorgeous w/out a single sharp edge rolled over following his work.