Moving metal to get a better fit

[borderdogs]

Hi Guys,
I haven't done this before but I remember seeing someone in a video drifting metal on a tang to breach fit to close a slight gap. If I remember correctly, he used a drift tapping it with a hammer and a ball peen hammer. I want to close an area around a lock plate cut fit around a snail. I might just get another lock plate and redo it but I figure if I put it to the forum I would get some helpful suggestions,
Thanks,
Rob

[smylee grouch]

How wide the gap is will probably make or break the idea. A new lock plate with the old for a pattern cut slightly undersize would work I think. You could also weld a bead with a wire welder around the cut out and refit the plate.

[Metalshaper]

think it was Curtis? working on his English if I'm remembering right..

Respect Always
Jonathan

[Bill Raby]

This video is not exactly what you are looking for but it might get you going in the right direction. Like smylee grouch said, depends on how big of a gap you have.

[Curtis]

Borderdogs, this is the post that Jonathan mentioned. https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=62199.0

It is a different problem but may give you some ideas on moving metal. A photo of your gap would help with getting good advice.

Curtis

[Clint]

If you are going to expand the lock plate, it's going to be tough. By peening the plate, only the surface metal is going to move. The metal moved into the gap has to come from somewhere, so the surface of the plate is going to be hammered up.  I think I might consider opening the gap, and then refilling it with a strip of metal, soft soldered in place. The strip might even stand proud of the lock plate and beveled to resemble the moulding found under the pans of continental flint locks. Often the trick to making 'repairs' is to make the repair look preplanned and intentional.
CW

[Stophel]

So, you have a breech plug that, when tight, has a gap between the breech tang and the barrel?

The answer is to work down the breech plug face (and any other areas), and turn it in to the next flat, or the next one, or the next one... until everything seals up tight everywhere.

[borderdogs]

Thanks for all the replies. What I was going to try was to move metal on the lock plate to fit around a snail I cut out the lock plate to fit the snail, I was doing some final fitting  using a Dremel with a sanding drum and took too much off so that one side fits ok and the other where the gap is around 1/16". I tried working it similar to Bill did in his video and I wasnt getting the results I wanted. So I decided I would just by a replacement plate and do it over.

Rob

[Ed Wenger]

Rob..., I’m having some difficulty in understanding what the “snail” is you’re talking about.

I understand you’re buying a new plate, just curious.  Best,


          Ed

[borderdogs]

Hi Ed
The rifle i am building is a Hawken percussion hooked breach and tang. I cut the plate of the lock to fit around the protrusion of the breach plug that mates with the tang creating an area that is basically a,half circle where the lock plate is cut to fit. That area is what I have been calling a snail
Rob

[Stophel]

Ah, sorry.  I didn't read, I scanned.  Missed the operative part.   

[Ed Wenger]

Thanks, Rob..., that makes perfect sense.  I was trying to envision a flintlock and it had me stumped, lol.  Good luck with the build, and let us know how it progresses.  Best,

        Ed