mainspring meets ramrod

[Scott Semmel]

I am sure I remember this being discussed before but memory fails and I haven't figured out how to access archived posts in this new format. When inletting mainspring I broke into ramrod channel apparently the drill ambled off to the lock side by a bit more than half its diameter. I'm thinkin pointy ramrod, Any other fixes?

[rich pierce]

Several approaches will work.  One is to cut through the bottom of the barrel channel, the whole bottom flat from the breech to just behind the rear lug, very cleanly and re-cut the ramrod "hole" on center with gouges and scrapers.  Then glue in a piece of wood on the mainspring side where the hole went astray (cut a nice mortise for it, glue in a larger piece than needed, then re-cut the ramrod hole).  When all that is set up nicely, glue in a piece of matching stock wood that restores the bottom of the barrel channel.  It could have a nice half-round groove on the bottom, of course. Gluethat patch in place with a steel rod inserted into the ramrod hole.  Make sure it's waxed.

[Dphariss]

Plug the hole then use a ramrod hole scraper as in the Shop made tools forum to enlarge the hole in the proper direction so you have rod clearance.
There are two posts on the "tools" forum to address this.

Dan

[Scott Semmel]

The scraper looks like a good idea And now I need to make one. But I think this hole is so far off center ther barrel channel route may be the way I need to go. Thanks for the help

[Stophel]

Do what Rich said.  The rod can curve a bit, if necessary, just make sure it's a smooth transition.

[Dphariss]

I should have said plug the hole in the *lock mortise* then use the scraper.

If you make the scraper right it will give you clearance for the rod in about 10-15 minutes.
Getting the lock mortise interior to look right will take longer.

Dan

[Scott Semmel]

Dan, I must confess to some doubt about the ramrod scraper being able to move the center of the hole far enough. I only had garden variety hardware store rod of the correct size, all my stainless was too big. The only trouble I had was my unwarranted doubt, after a few minutes of scraping, thinking this steel isn’t going to move this blinkin hard Ash, I had an inch and a half of hard packed shavings in the bottom of the hole! And had moved center a tenth of an inch! Getting the shavings out wasn’t a problem I have a ramrod drill and, due to the problem, access to the bottom of the hole. Many Thanks. Your help saved me from having two patch jobs to having only one. Thanks again

[rich pierce]

I need to make me one of those scrapers!