REPAIRING BUTT PLATE

[hortonstn]

while cleaning up a brass butt plate i noticed a small hole on the rt ft side,next to the wood when i filed it to remove a larger hole appeared i guess a sand cast air pocket needless to say i can't do pictures,anyone have a solution to this, howto repair?
thanks paul

[Black Hand]

Hopefully you have a piece of a casting sprue from the butt plate.  I would repair the hole by drilling it out and slightly countersinking the upper and lower holes.  A piece of the casting sprue (or some other material with a good color match) would be made into a pin slightly longer than the hole and both ends peened over to lock it in (alternate ends to keep it even when peening).  Dress it off with a file and the hole is plugged.  In many cases, the fix is invisible unless you know exactly where to look, and even then it is hardly noticeable.  I might suggest annealing either the steel or brass used as the pin to soften it.

[Greg S Day]

I've filled small casting holes with solder.  You wouldn't think it, but it's really hard to see after it's dressed off.

Greg

[David Rase]

I've filled small casting holes with solder.  You wouldn't think it, but it's really hard to see after it's dressed off.

Greg

That's how I do my repairs also.  I have heard that this was a traditional fix on the older guns.
Dave

[Blacksmoke]

I've always used brazing rod to do this - however you have to be very carefull with the oxy/acc. not to get the brass casting too hot or it will end up as a glob molten metal on the floor.    Hugh Toenjes

[hortonstn]

thanks for your responce, i'll try it
paul

[smylee grouch]

I wonder if you could get real fine brass filings to bond or mix in with the solder ?

[Dphariss]

A acetylene welding torch with a small tip, some borax and some brass can be used to weld it shut.
Smaller holes can be fixed by silver soldering in a plug of brass.

Dan