Trigger Guard Polishing Jig

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

After polishing scores of trigger guards, holding them badly in various ways, I finally took the time to build myself a clamp for holding the awkwardly shaped rascals.  I had two plates of sheet brass .130" thick that would do the trick, and this is the result.  The guard is Dave Keck's JP Beck - dead soft yellow brass investment cast with super smooth finish.  It's going on Leatherbelly's new rifle.

[Ben Voss]

Thanks for the show and tell Taylor! I need to make something like that too.

[gary trapper]

Taylor, do you have different thickness spacers for the center or do you just thin your gaurd lugs to kinda fit and just squeeze her tight?       Gary

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

When I was thinking about the design for the jig, the idea for which came from Peter Alexander's "Gunsmith of Grenville Co." book, I took out a half dozen or so castings - some investment, and some sand castings, and measured the lugs.  Knob Mt.'s guard was the thinnest at just under 1/8" thick.  So, I'll file them all to fit this jig believing all the time that 1/8" is lots of brass for the purpose.  On many sand castings in fact, the lugs are not perpendicular to the forward and read returns, and are often off centred, so they need filing anyway.  I was pleased to find that you don't have to run the screws in too hard to clamp the lugs firmly.  And the guard does not move in the slightest in the jig.  Best of all, it does not vibrate, though I file to centre from each side.  As I said prior, this particular guard was so smooth, that I did not have to use a rasp to remove flaws or irregularities. 
It is such a pleasure to use a jig that works so well...don't know why I waited so long to make one.

[Birddog6]

That looks good, as all of your work does.

This is my variation of one. Not as pretty as yours, but does the trick. It will hold just about any type of t/guard, plus you add the bottom part & flip it over & work the other side as well.  I was going to make & sell them but it didn't get much interest so just made one for me & one for a friend.
But it sure beats trying to hold one in a vice & file & sand it, as I had done for years.

[g.pennell]

Now that's just the slickest thing ever!  I like the adjustable support rods on the ends, too.  I need to make SOMETHING, and both these have some good points.

Greg

[msw]

Wow- you guys have the gadgets that are 'way more clever than my little lash- up.  Gotta get to playing with brass!

Thanks for the ideas!

[Bill Hey]

I continue to be amazed at the amount of knowledge that is available on this site. Thanks to all who share ... Bill

[Daryl]

Keith - the adjustability of your 'clamp' is amazing. I've seen Taylor's clamp at work - it-too is amazing, in it's utility and excellent function.

[FG1]

Looks similar to my jig I made in 80's 
Mine sure aint as pretty tho'.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I think I'll send mine to Cody and have him work his engraving magic on it.

[Dave B]

I made one after one I saw Dave Rase use. I built it out of micro ply wood it works just fine but I must say I like what you guys got going here. I like taylors the best. Now look what you went and done... now I have to go make one like it. Kind of like keeping up with the Jones's.

[David Veith]

? what are the two larger holes for. Or are they just to make you ask
David

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

David, I used three sheets of recycled brass.  They were from something else in a former life.  So I have no idea what they were for.

[caliber45]

Taylor, that's a damned fine idea! I'm gonna go to the hardware store and buy a large hinge and make myself one. Yet another thing in gun building not to have to cuss and fume about. Thanks for the idea! -- paulallen, tucson az