Author Topic: Fixed a messed up breech plug (Read 1632 times)

smart dog · « **on:** February 09, 2022, 02:06:06 AM »

Hi,
I am reusing a Rice 62 caliber barrel for which I had filed the breech plug into a hook for a standing breech. Something jammed the plug. It was not the vent liner, which I removed. It just was jammed. Heat and penetrating oil did nothing. Worse, when trying to turn the plug using my breech wrench, the hook just rounded over and was mashed. What to do? So I cut off the hook and drilled a 5/8" hole into the back of the breech plug. I don't have bigger drills. The plug threads are 3/4 - 16. Then I used a cylindrical grinding stone in a drill to open up that hole all the way to the bore until a 3/4-16 tapered tap could fit. Using the tap, I peeled away the residual threads of the old plug. They came out in a corkscrew. I used the bottoming tap to clean out the old plug all the way to the shoulder. It came out perfect. I just need to fit a new plug and vent liner. No biggy. After fixing the mess, I thought, my wife is gone so I don't have anyone to pat me on the back. Maybe someone could send me a lollipop?

dave

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2022, 02:14:08 AM »

Dave: I understand and appreciate your feeling of accomplishment, so the least I can do is an "addaboy". The free machining steel we use for breech plugs doesn't tolerate overstressing even with a wrench that fits. Happy you got the damaged plug out and are able to carry on.

smart dog · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2022, 02:20:40 AM »

Thank's Taylor. I feel better now.

dave

Daryl · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2022, 02:24:18 AM »

Good work, Dave. Well thought out and executed.

BJH · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2022, 02:35:12 AM »

With your level of craftsmanship I’d expect nothing less. BJH

rich pierce · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2022, 02:41:19 AM »

That sounds painful! Nice problem solving!

WadePatton · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2022, 04:36:56 AM »

Cheers for the job coming out as hoped. Helps offset those that didn't. Kudos.

smart dog · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2022, 05:33:31 AM »

Hi,
Thanks but i still want a lollipop. I guess I'll go down to my barber shop and get one.

dave

Dphariss · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2022, 08:27:47 AM »

Good work. Consider pat on the back applied.

Marcruger · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2022, 05:21:26 PM »

Dave, that is one of those miseries that jumps on us out of nowhere and sets us backwards. Sort of like a dead car battery. A lot of work or money later, and you are back to where you started. On the other hand, the feeling of accomplishment is great when you correct things yourself. Congratulations on saving the barrel and getting back on course. I could not have done that. God Bless, Marc

smart dog · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2022, 05:41:19 PM »

Thanks guys! I still think I'll head down to Ken's Barber Shop and get a Tootsie Roll pop. He's got the really good orange and cherry ones.

dave

Joey R · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2022, 06:54:33 PM »

“OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS !!’’

heinz · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2022, 07:22:11 PM »

Nicely done! I am not sure the post office can handle a LollyPop.

Any clues on why it jammed?

I have not fitted one of my own breech plugs in a lot of years. When I did, I also tapped the barrel. I filed the same angle on the front shoulder of the breech plug as the drill I used on the bore hole. Used a lot of Prussian Blue and valve lapping compound to get it right.

smart dog · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2022, 08:11:34 PM »

Hi Heinz,
I suspect it was a metal chip in the threads somewhere that probably came out with the tap. I've never had that happen before but I've heard stories from folks that did.

dave

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2022, 08:39:22 PM »

Dave, for the work you do, and the help to others, you deserve a whole box of Tootsie Roll pops!

And aside of nothing, one of my Aunt's was nick-named "Tootsie". Much better than her given name of Arabella!

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2022, 03:18:13 AM »

Dave,

It's weird, I had a plug do this too. We always use anti-seize on them when installing, but a customer said he tried to remove it but was unsuccessful. I just figured he didn't have the right tools or wasn't using enough torque, so had him send it back. I tried and twisted it off! Not sure what happened. Had to do similar surgery to what you did... Nice work!

Jim

smart dog · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2022, 04:07:52 AM »

Hi Jim,
Thanks. I've never had this happen before and not having a real machine shop, I had to figure out a way. Fortunately it worked!

dave

mountainman · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2022, 07:05:29 AM »

Glad you got her straightened out!! I give you an invisible pat. That lollipop does sound good! 🍭🍭🍭

83nubnEC · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2022, 09:08:59 PM »

The only thing I get from my barber at the shop is a clipping!!

J. Talbert · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2022, 11:17:53 PM »

Nice work Dave.
When cleaning out the last remnants, how did you align the tap with the existing barrel threads? I can imagine the tap biting in to the remains of the plug and being misaligned with the barrel threads, thereby damaging them.

Just curious,
Jeff

David Price · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2022, 02:18:23 AM »

Smart dog,
I will bring you a lollipop and deliver it to you at Harley's woods walk this spring.

I have had a few plugs that were in new barrels that were quite stubborn, but always managed to get them out without damage. Like Jim, when I put them back in I coat them with Never Seize.

Winter will be over soon, see you then.

David Price

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Author Topic: Fixed a messed up breech plug (Read 1632 times)