AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Tutorials => Gunmaking tools and techniques- metal shaping => Topic started by: Acer Saccharum on August 12, 2012, 06:01:32 AM
-
I know this really is helpful only to those who have a bandsaw and milling machine. But maybe the fixture idea is useful in other ways.
This is a simple fixture, a flat sturdy plate with a threaded shaft collar screwed to it. Yes, it's an off-the-shelf item, available in many thread configurations, both National Coarse and Fine, from McMaster-Carr or MSC. I like the two-piece split collar better than the one piece style collar illustrated, because it accommodates variations in plug size better.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0617.jpg)
Screw the already threaded plug into the fixture. Clamp in saw, tilted to get the angle you need for the flare of the tang. In this pic, the sides have already been slabbed off, and the underside of the tang is being cut.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0599.jpg)
Flip the plate vertical in the saw, and make a cut to meet the first cut.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0601.jpg)
With this style fixture, the part can be rotated to match the angle of the blade. The saw is only parallel to the base when the saw is all the way down, so rotate the part accordingly.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0606.jpg)
Tang is only sawed at this point. Now take it to the mill.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0607.jpg)
Mill all sides, rotating part in fixture as needed. Because the part is so extended, take light cuts only.
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0612.jpg)
(https://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/Tom45-70/Tutorials/DSC_0614.jpg)
-
I added a new .62 Smooth bored barrel to a rifle that has a .62 cal rifle barrel, but the tang that came with the new barrel didn't even come close to the old one. So I got a 1 1/2" bar of steel turned the thread on the lathe, and used a hack saw and file to do the rest. The result was similar to yours, Tom, but it sure took a lot longer. Tool envy going on here....
-
What would be the proper steel to use for the tang?
-
Forget the band saw and just use the milling machine. That barrel I
let Tom Merkley have had a breech plug that done in 40 minutes including turning
and threading.
Bob Roller
-
OHHHHH, I know what I'm making this week!
Thanks, it's great because it's simple
-
Split nut is a great idea.
If I make a breechplug I fit them while still in the lathe till everything is pr then machine on the barrel to set the top of the tang and rough the rest. Then finalize off the barrel with a tapered end mill. This is where that split nut would come in handy.
The bandsaw would be nice too. Could make fewer chips that way on short tangs anyway.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi72.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi199%2FDPhariss%2FBreeching%2FIMGP1064.jpg&hash=ef6cf9a6f4fdc8f54863cd41124918670daa6760)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi72.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi199%2FDPhariss%2FBreeching%2FIMGP1066.jpg&hash=8c8747535f8ba8bdd237a52c5217953c3242e846)
Dan
-
Forget the band saw and just use the milling machine. That barrel I
let Tom Merkley have had a breech plug that done in 40 minutes including turning
and threading.
Bob Roller
Works pretty dog gone good Too!
-
I like the split collar idea. I will have to order a couple. However, I am pretty sure I could do the same work, almost as fast with a hacksaw and a file. :D Of course, I would sweat more.