Bruce
Until the last ten years or so the process was done by only a handful of individuals, skilled or well trained in the field. Dr. Gadys article opened the door to experimentation. Brownells marketed it as a simple process and made the basic equipment available. It is not a simple process like caustic bluing and many a fine gun has been ruined by bluing.
Warpage is some thing that happens only when a mistake is made. Shrinkage unlike warpage is benefit to case hardening. With great care shrinkage can be controlled. Even with the great number of guns that I have cased, I still draw a bead of sweat everytime I open the furnace and grab a crucible.
I am not aware of a complete set of instructions on the process. What I have seen is only an introduction.
Iam not positive, but I believe the straightening fixtures were used during the soft fitting stage prior to hardening. Much torque is applied to fitting causing the parts to move.
In the early years I spent a considerable amount of time at Smith & Wesson, back when they built guns. From the forges to maching, soft fitting, hard fitting, heat treat, and finishing. I gleened a tremendous of knowlege from that experience.
Strict unwavering diciplines must by applied to every process to gain acceptable results. One can not learn that from a set of instructions.
Brad
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