AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Asahi1234 on May 31, 2024, 08:30:49 PM
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My patch box is a not tight. It is a little snug but not as tight. I sanded a the box a little to much. How can I make it a little tighter fit. Thanks for your help.
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Order a new one. Not too expensive.
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Hi,
Not seeing photos, I cannot be sure my comment is appropriate but don't fret too much if the box lid is a little loose because when the weather gets humid, your tight box may swell and not slide at all. A little free way is a good thing. Moreover, when you stain and add finish to the wood, it will swell a bit.
dave
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Hi,
Not seeing photos, I cannot be sure my comment is appropriate but don't fret too much if the box lid is a little loose because when the weather gets humid, your tight box may swell and not slide at all. A little free way is a good thing. Moreover, when you stain and add finish to the wood, it will swell a bit.
dave
I can confirm that this happened for me. I had what I thought was a good fit, but after staining and applying several coats of Permalyn Sealer, it is very tight.
I will probably be trying to file things a bit to loosen them up.
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There is a latch that holds it in place. As others have said, it needs to be a little loose because things tighten up after finishing. Also it needs a little room to accommodate expansion from humidity changes.
That said, If it is extremely loose for some reason, just let us know. Don't know how it would be this way, but you never know.
Jim
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I also found that waxing inside the dovetails and the lid glides, that it is less prone to swelling.
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You may want to wait until July or August to decide if you want to correct the fit and by how much. I once fit the sliding patchbox on one of my rifles during the winter months. What a surprise when Summer rolled around. To this day that patchbox lid welds itself shut during June, July and August. Since I don't store anything inside, I never bothered adjusting the fit so it could open year round. Previous posters have offered good suggestions on how to tighten it up should you decide to.
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I had mine to where it was a nice easy to slide fit. After I stained it I have to bump it pretty hard with the heel of my hand to get it started. After it moves 1/2 inch or so it's easy. I never use it so I haven't bothered to fix it.
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I had mine to where it was a nice easy to slide fit. After I stained it I have to bump it pretty hard with the heel of my hand to get it started. After it moves 1/2 inch or so it's easy. I never use it so I haven't bothered to fix it.
All you need is a skew chisel to clear the finish from the dove tail.
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Also in addition to what was said before the lid is tapered. Sometimes removing a little wood from the dovetail nose will allow it to slide in a little further to tighten things up. If it is a bit short then that is a good excuse to add the brass end cap. Which I really like that addition.
Jeff
(https://i.ibb.co/L07CCmZ/20230609-171135.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vcnJJpj)
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You want a wooden patch box loose other wise when it swells from the humidity in the air it will not open. I know of several that can not be opened and have been that way for years.
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All those really nice shavings you make with that really sharp plane or spokeshave make pretty good shims when carefully trimmed and carefully glued. ( don’t ask me how I know.)