AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Accoutrements => Topic started by: Eric Krewson on November 25, 2009, 06:51:27 AM
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I need to make a loading block for my new 54cal. I remember seeing a chart for the proper drill size for all calibers but cant find it through a search. What size drill do you guys use to make a 54 cal loading block? I have some nice osage, red oak burl and curly that would make now striking looking loading blocks.
Here is some of the burl wood in a bow tillering tool.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv181%2Fekrewson%2Fbow%2520making%2Fpresentationgradegizmo.jpg&hash=b7dffa604d018a931251d2d8cd456f12326e1750)
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try this.........
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/192279/
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"Officially" the chart I've seen calls for a 35/64" bit. But just try to find one at a decent price! I had a 17/32" around and tried that. It's real close, but requires just a bit of sanding with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a pencil to get it right. Kind of a file-to-fit situation, but it doesn't take much.
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A couple of weeks ago I found that a 35/64 bit was a tad too small for a 530 ball and a patch. I think the patch was.015. Anyway, I just reamed the holes with a rat tail file till the balls fit snug.
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Not having a 35/64 inch bit I made my .54 cal loading block using a 9/16 (36/64) then I used a oil finish on the block, making sure to really soak the inside of the hole. I have been using it for 2 years with .530 balls and .015 patching and its still very tight, never lost a ball and I wear it around my neck and swings all around ;D
Dennis
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Guess I'm not that detail oriented. I just drill a half inch hole and open it with a Dremel until I get the fit I like. Gorgeous piece of wood. With all that figure, be sure to leave enough stock so that a tight ball/patch combo won't spit it for you. Be sure to show us the end product, eh?
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The easiest thing to do is take a cheep speed bore bit, (you know the flat ones), and file it down as necessary to get it to drill the diameter hole that you want. A while back I made a set of these in most of the popular calibers and was making a bunch of loading blocks to sell at the shoots on my trade blanket.
BJH
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It requires a bit of investment, but a few taper pin reamers of various sizes come in handy for a variety of hole size adjustment issues. The ebony loading blocks below are for .32 and .50 cal round balls. I drill the holes undersize and then use a taper pin reamer, from both sides, to precisely adjust the hole size to grip the ball (any size ball and any patch thickness) the way I want.
(https://preview.ibb.co/nj171c/Bullet_Board_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mq0NZx)
I also use these reamers to open up the bores of cast ram rod pipes, etc. The reamer in the photos below is a Number 8. I use #s 7,8, & 9 the most and those three have been worth more than what they cost over the years in making hole adjustments quick, easy and precise.
(https://image.ibb.co/iUZS1c/Taper_Reamer1.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)
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Dave - your "casual" stuff just blows me away! :o
Wild loading blocks and accessories.
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The tapered reamers look like a great idea for this and other projects. Out of curiosity, whose catalog are we viewing there?
Jeff
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Jeff,
Sorry, I meant to put that in my post. The catalog is from McMaster Carr, but several of the machine tool houses will carry the standard taper pin reamers.
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I with Brian, you make some of the Koolest stuff.
Tim C.