Replacing Threads

[Berks Liberty]

Yesterday a friend of mine stopped by for a visit.  After talking about rifles and powderhorns he asked about trying to fix a screw tip horn.  He stated the threads were stripped on it and he wanted to see if there was a way to replace threads.  Know I haven't been able to see the horn yet and the first part of February I want to take some photos of it so I can share it here.  I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or has fixed this problem?  He wants to restore the horn.  Any ideas?  Thanks

Jason

[Tim Crosby]

 I believe Art DeCamp would be the man to talk to on that one.

 Tim C.

[Ky-Flinter]

Jason,
Obviously need to see it, but here's some thoughts anyway....  Are the threads on the horn internal (female) or external (male)?  Are the stripped threads on the horn or the tip?  The answers may limit the alternatives.

A couple of possible fixes come to mind....

If the stripped threads are internal, install a HeliCoil?  Certainly not PC, but would be effective.

If the stripped threads are external, cut them off flush with the horn or tip shoulder, then drill and tap for same thread size.  Buy a brass fitting "nipple" (a hollow tube that is threaded full length on the outside) or make one of horn and screw it in.

-Ron

[Berks Liberty]

I believe Art DeCamp would be the man to talk to on that one.

 Tim C.

I told my friend to take the horn to the Lewisburg Show coming up to show Art.  I'll have to post some photos when I get to see the horn. 

[Kelhammer]

I find myself wondering about using a resin or curing putty to fill in, and re-chase the thread.  I see these products all the time at the hardware, that state you can drill and thread into them after they have cured.  Also many of them seem to bond to just about anything.  Just an idea.  Andy

[Beaverman]

I find myself wondering about using a resin or curing putty to fill in, and re-chase the thread.  I see these products all the time at the hardware, that state you can drill and thread into them after they have cured.  Also many of them seem to bond to just about anything.  Just an idea.  Andy

That 's what popped into my pea brain first!

[davec2]

I have repaired these types of threads (either male or female) with Acraglass or even 5 minute epoxy.  Pick the thread that is the best (male or female) and paint it with the PVA (poly vinyl alcohol) separator used with Acraglass or even just Vaseline.  Clean the opposing threads well with acetone and apply the epoxy.  (Stain it if you need to to match the horn).  Screw the two parts together and let the epoxy set.  Unscrew the parts when the epoxy is well set - don't get impatient and make sure that everything that might stick the two parts together and that you don't want epoxy on is covered well with the separator. 

I have a very cheap powder horn that I got as a kid in 1965.  A few years later I put a Dixie Gun Works brass powder measure (which had some weird fine female thread cut on the inside of the brass valve body) on the horn with this method.  I still use the horn from time to time and the threads are holding just fine 45 years later (and I unscrew the darn tip all the time to see if they are still holding up.)

[Berks Liberty]

Dave,

I didn't really think about Acraglass.  I'll have to take a look at it next week to see if we can do it.  Thanks for the idea. 

Jason