AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Dale Halterman on July 13, 2008, 11:58:04 PM
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This winter I plan on taking the plunge into lock building with a siler flintlock kit, and the gentleman who provided me with the kit also gave me a copy of a magazine article by John Bivins on precision lock building.
In the article, John recommends buying a 1/4" counterbore with a .136 pilot for the screws that get installed in the bolster. He states that this will probably have to be custom made. When I look in the McMaster-Carr catalog, I find a machine screw counterbore with .241 body and .137 pilot, which looks like it should work.
So, which size is right? MCM-C does list one with a 1/4" body and 3/32" pilot. If I need the 1/4" size, any reason I can't drill the pilot undersized, use this counterbore, then open up the pilot hole?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Dale H
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any reason I can't drill the pilot undersized, use this counterbore, then open up the pilot hole?
I can't see why this wouldn't work just fine. What are the head and body diameters of your bolster screws? jim
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I'm sure that it will due just fine. If you have any interference issues with the screw head just dress the head down abit. A file and a drill press comes readily to mind.
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Thanks for the input, guys. Now, another question has occured to me.
At what speed should I run the counterbore in my drill press? I suspect it should be slower than a comparable sized twist bit.
Dale H
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Counterbores & countersinks should be run slowly - 200 to 400 rpm and the pilot should be oiled or greased lightly.