Cleaning trick that may be useful....(Required components list)

[davec2]

Yesterday I had a chance to shoot just a few rounds (for the first time) from the copy of the Chambers rifle I built a while back.  Got ready to clean it today with my usual remove the lock, plug the touch hole with a toothpick, fill the bore with water, etc., etc.  Just after I put the toothpick in the touch hole, I broke it off and spent a while trying to get the remnant out.  As I was doing this, I noticed that I had two high pull, small magnets on my work bench and had a thought.  These magnets are rare earth (Neodymium) and are 3/8 inch in diameter and 1/2 inch long.  They have a pull of 19 pounds.  So I cut a small piece of silicone tape to use as a gasket, placed that over the touch hole, and then held it in place with the magnets.  Long story short, it worked like a charm.  No leaks.  Easy to attach and easy to remove.  The magnets are commercially available.  To each his own but this is the new normal for me.  Thought others might like to hear about it.

Lock out, magnet and gasket, plug in place, all done.

[Black Hand]

If the toothpick breaks off flush, I just push the remnant into the barrel...

[davec2]

Me too.....but the toothpick trick often leaks for me at some point in the cleaning process.

[leadslinger62]

 Now that is a slick trick and one I will have to try !!

[EC121]

I have had some good luck from putting grease on the round toothpick for a wood sealer.  The magnet idea is something to try.

[smylee grouch]

Thanks for sharing Dave. Sounds like something I will try too. 

[davec2]

The magnets in my photo are from McMaster Carr....... 1/2 " diameter by 1/2" long, 19 pound pull (you only need one).  Part Number 5862K29

[JohnnyFM]

Very good idea! You can salvage free neodymium (rare earth) magnets from old computer hard drives.  You'll need some very small torx bits (T6 and/or T8 usually) to remove the cover and some components from the hard drive and a screwdriver to pry the magnets out.  There's usually a pair... and be careful you don't pinch your fingers!  As Dave states, these magnets are strong!

[trentOH]

If I try this I'll try to paint the magnet orange, so that WHEN I drop it on the ground I'll be able to find the little rascal easier. Although I suppose I could also just sweep over the ground with the rifle barrel, and it will jump onto the barrel.

[thecapgunkid]

I have been using the little hose kit I bought at Dixons' faire.  Clamp it over the touch hole liner, insert the other end into a Folgers coffee can filled with water and run the rod and patch down.  What I like most about it is that the wet patch, when drawn sharply up the barrel, will soften the fouling log jam at the breech with the water it draws and my cleaning time is cut in half.

Since it relies on the flats to clamps tight, I dunno how to get it working if I ever build with a straight round barrel.

[hanshi]

Toothpicks work pretty well and I wrap paper towels around the breech/wrist to catch leakage.  But the magnet sounds like a winner.

[HAWKEN]

I really like the magnet idea and will definitely try it, wish I had thought of it first, LOL.  Keep yer powder dry.........robin 

[bones92]

Very clever.  I was thinking about just using a small piece of duct tape.

[Hank*in*WV]

Put your magnets in a sandwich bag to keep iron filings off it if you drop it.

[Jerry V Lape]

I like it!  I like magnets in general and have found several uses from them in other applications.  Justifies getting myself a few more magnets to mess with. 

[Doc]

I would bet a little dab of grease on the magnet would negate the need for a gasket.

Great idea.

Doc

[davec2]

Capgun.....

I have one of those clamp / tube gizmos.....but the clamp is not very solid for me as the touch hole on some of my rifles is a little below center and there is not sufficient area on the other side of the barrel for the clamp to hold on securely.  However, I do like pumping the water in and out of the bore with the ram rod.  I think I am going to replace the clamp on the end of the tube with a magnet with a hole through it.  These magnets machine fairly easily (except that the chips stick to anything magnetic....  I will report back on how it worked out.

[JB]

Thanks.  I may try this.... Last time I cleaned my rifle- I wasn't paying attention and I forgot the tooth pick... It didn't take me long to figure out I screwed up.   

[Black Hand]

Capgun.....

I have one of those clamp / tube gizmos.....but the clamp is not very solid for me as the touch hole on some of my rifles is a little below center and there is not sufficient area on the other side of the barrel for the clamp to hold on securely.  However, I do like pumping the water in and out of the bore with the ram rod.  I think I am going to replace the clamp on the end of the tube with a magnet with a hole through it.  These magnets machine fairly easily (except that the chips stick to anything magnetic....  I will report back on how it worked out.

It is unlikely the magnet will remain stuck to the side of the barrel with the water pressure pushing through the hole...

[davec2]

I will let you know, but these magnets, with 19 pounds of pull, take some effort to get back off the barrel.  I don't think it will be a problem.

[Black Hand]

Let me know how it works.

[Daryl]

Me too.....but the toothpick trick often leaks for me at some point in the cleaning process.

That is slick , Dave.  The solution prevent to toothpick leaking has been right in front of us (most of us) all along! Well done.

The one and only time I had a toothpick leak when cleaning that way, was at rendezvous and using a NEW BP SOLVENT suggested by a shooting friend. He said it was amazing.  It was, as the

 dribble of solvent ran down the side of my butt stock, it lifted off the finish and the stain leaving a white mark from the rear of the lock mortise to the butt plate.

Water is all I used before and most certainly all I will use ever again. No solvents or soaps are needed.

[Eric Krewson]

I cut a small green branch instead of using a toothpick, it is less likely to leak.

[davec2]

I have a magnet with a hole through it.  Making up the fitting now to attach a tube.  Will let you know how it works out.

[davec2]

OK....made up the required fitting and installed the magnet.  Put on the water tube, put the unit on the rifle, and dropped the tube end into a gallon jug of water.  Pumped the ram rod, with a patch and jag, up and down the bore as fast as I could about 20 times.  Worked perfectly with no leaks ...and the magnet / tube didn't come off the rifle.  (The water flow, even with fast pumping, is still restricted through a 1/16 inch touch hole.) 

The only improvement I intend to make is to glue the silicone gasket to the end of the magnet to eliminate dealing with a loose piece.  The only two guns of mine this won't work on are the brass barreled blunderbuss and my Ferguson.

Hope this trick helps someone out.

Dave C