Forging a breech plug tang

[M Tornichio]

I have a new barrel that I would like to replace an existing on my squirrel rifle the tang is not wide enough to match the existing. I am planning on forging the next to match the original. What is the best way to keep the treads on the plug from getting ruined. I could forge the plug with the barrel still attached. Not sure if this is a good idea though. I took a forging class with Hershel house and I think he forged the tang with out it attached to the barrel . I also think he had a brick to use as a heat sink. Coal forge was used, but I did not wartch him do it. I have a gas forge which may complicate things a bit. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[Joe Schell]

Iv done it before in a coal forge by using vice grips on the lug and keeping the threads out of the fire, being very careful not to damage the threads while forging. I think if i do it again i'll find a nut the rite size to screw over the threads.

[M Tornichio]

Finding the right size nut sounds like a great idea. That would  probably keep the scaling down in my gas forge.

[tallbear]

Mark
I've forged a couple out by just leaving them in the barrel.Did it in my coal rivet forge just was careful to only heat the tang.I didn't want any scaling or oxidizing of the threads.

Mitch

[cmac]

pipe threads on black gas pipe at your local hardware is a close enough match to help save them and not have to take the barrel to the fire

[Curt Lyles]

Mark  call your barrel maker and get a scrap peiceof barrel with the right size thread .it only needs to be a foot long or so .might as well get a couple other sizes while your at it and have when you need it.curt

[Dennis Glazener]

Mark  call your barrel maker and get a scrap peiceof barrel with the right size thread .it only needs to be a foot long or so .might as well get a couple other sizes while your at it and have when you need it.curt

I just took an piece of scrap centerfire barrel that I had and threaded it with my breech plug tap. Or use a short piece of scrap cold rolled that is large enough. I bored my lead hole in the lathe but you should be able to drill that short piece in a drill press.
Dennis

[heinz]

Mark, have you considered sawing the existing tang off on a line parrell to the bore and brazing a new tang in place after you have shaped it roughly?

If you have a breech plug tap you can drill and tap a bar by just bending an angle on it.  Keep a dipper in your water bucket so you can keep cooling the thread end as you work.

Or, you could borrow one of Ian's barrels and use that to hold your tap :-)

[M Tornichio]

Thanks for all the great ideas.
I really appreciate everyone's input.
Marc

[smokinbuck]

Mark,
Unless you are in a hurry get a hold of Ian, I'm sure he would help you out at the Log Cabin next month.
Mark

[J. Talbert]

Dumb question...

Apparently the old breech plug won't fit in the new barrel..?

Jeff

[M Tornichio]

Great question. It is something I only thought of this evening. I am going to see if it will fit. I went up in caliber size.

[Jim Kibler]

Seems I remember seeing someone using a nut with a bar electric welded to it for a handle. 

[Habu]

I did something similar--brazed a nut in a piece of pipe that was laying around.