Author Topic: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?  (Read 3165 times)

Offline Curtis

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2338
  • Missouri
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #25 on: August 13, 2022, 08:36:58 AM »
With a homemade mortising chisel.  Drilling holes often gives unpredictable results.


Curtis
Curtis Allinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline 45-110

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 543
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #26 on: August 14, 2022, 01:08:56 AM »
Maybe start with a sharp keyhole saw aka drywall saw, remove the teeth set and thin out the back side. Most come with a nice handle.

Offline davec2

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2955
    • The Lucky Bag
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2022, 03:18:40 AM »
Here is a link to how Taylor does barrel keys.....including the part about getting a perfect fir by burning the key slot in with a tool.  It works just as well for putting in trigger slots......

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=10171.msg95992#msg95992
"No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned... a man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company."
Dr. Samuel Johnson, 1780

Online Eric Krewson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2254
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2022, 03:43:56 PM »
I start out with a small chisel and finish up with a small warding bastard file that cuts a very clean slot. I have worn this file out and have broken the tapered tip off somehow, i haven't been able to find a similar file to buy.

I was in a machinist supply company years ago wanting to buy files, they let me go back in the bins and pick out any file I wanted, I bought a handful of small Nicholson files with the warding bastard in the bunch. Years later when I went back to buy more files the new owners wouldn't let me behind the counter and the lady working at the counter said she didn't have any files like the ones I bought the last time. She didn't go look and I could tell from talking to her she didn't know a drill bit from a Nicholson file.




Offline Not English

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 594
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #29 on: August 19, 2022, 08:21:41 AM »
I make my small chisels out of the smallest Craftsmen screwdrivers. I grind them to work with whatever fit is needed. They used to be made out of pretty decent steel. I won't vouch for any of the newer Craftsmen steel now that Sears is no more.

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #30 on: August 19, 2022, 04:35:02 PM »
Since my first post was considered too controversial for viewing by oppressive moderation, I'll  now post how I actually do this. I drill a series of holes then jam my dremmel tool with the proper bit in the first hole then give it a hearty pull. Presto chango the slot if formed in less than 30 seconds. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Cory Joe Stewart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1862
    • My etsy shop
Re: How do you guys cut the trigger slot?
« Reply #31 on: August 19, 2022, 05:39:51 PM »
Since my first post was considered too controversial for viewing by oppressive moderation, I'll  now post how I actually do this. I drill a series of holes then jam my dremmel tool with the proper bit in the first hole then give it a hearty pull. Presto chango the slot if formed in less than 30 seconds. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

That is what I do as well. 

Cory Joe