Fowler Sight

[Long Ears]

There has got to be a way to solder the front sight on a round barrel straight the first time. The minimum for me has been 3 tries. Each time I try another bright idea. They have not been as bright as I thought! Any help? Thanks, Bob

[smylee grouch]

If you are trying to solder a sight on a round barrel with oct. breech section, Brownells sells a top dead center finding devise that might be of some help.    Smylee

[Dave Dolliver]

If you have a round barrel with an octagon breech area, place the barrel breech section, top down, in a vee block on a flat table top.  Run a flat mill file between the barrel and the table surface in the muzzle area.  This will leave a line scratched in the top of the barrel on the top center line to guide your placement of the sight. Clamp the sight while soldering.

Dave Dolliver

[mattdog]

I do it the same as Dave exceept without the V block.  If the top flat of the oct. portion is flat on the table top then the top dead center of the round portion at the muzzle is touching the table top.  You can use a mill file or a piece of sand paper between the table top and the barrel to scratch a top dead center line.   I do similar on the bottom to find a center line for the lugs.

I usually charge $5.00 for this trick but hey, I feel generous today.  

[Don Getz]

I usually hold the barrel in a vise on the octagon section.   I then check it with a small level, and adjust it until the top
is level, I then place the level on a file and scribe a line......Don

[billd]

I use Dave's method, works well.  Just remember, the file that's scratching the barrel is also scratching the table, as my wife noted. 
Bill

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Yep Dave's got it! Works for me.

[Acer Saccharum]

..... also scratching the table, as my wife noted. 
Bill

Uh, you're not supposed to be building on the coffee table, Bill. Basement for guys like us, or the garage.

[Acer Saccharum]

Sometimes little parts dance around when soldering. You can make a little c-shaped ring of music wire that holds the sight in place while soldering.

Someone had something a lot niftier than that, but I forgot what it was, and who posted it.    Sucks getting old.

[billd]

Tom, It was in the basement.  Wife's laundry table, formica, large, flat and smooth.   Just right for a 46" barrel.   Oh well, live and learn.  She got over it.