Author Topic: Breech tang bending  (Read 3417 times)

Offline BillF/TRF

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Breech tang bending
« on: January 01, 2018, 06:26:28 AM »
Greetings!  This is my first post and I would like to thank any of you in advance for any help you can give me in my first flintlock long rifle build.  I recently purchased an Early York County Long Rifle Kit from Jim Chambers.  I have been reading and looking at some videos on how to build a flintlock rifle and I may have a few questions as I proceed. My first is about the breech tang.  Before I inlet the barrel and tang, it appears that I should bend the tang slightly to conform to the stock curve.  My question is, can I bend the tang while it is screwed into the barrel and what is the best way to do this?  Thanks!

Offline sqrldog

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2018, 06:46:24 AM »
Several ways to bend a tang. I usually square the back of the breech plug under the tang as this lets you start your bend closer to the barrel. I use a jig thatt is shown under shop made tools.  Tim

Online smylee grouch

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2018, 07:52:04 AM »
I like to do as Sqrldog does and file the web that is under the tang so it has a 90 degree corner, this seems to help me if I only have a small amount to bend. I have brass jaw inserts for one of my bench vices and put the tang in there with some spacers in the right spot to make the small bends.

Offline Adrie luke

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2018, 03:03:11 PM »
Here an example maybe it helps you




Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2018, 04:07:14 PM »
Leave it screwed into the barrel. Square up the radius underneath. I slide a monkey wrench over the tang and give it a little pull and bend the tang as close to the lug as I can. Probably covered in my tutorial.
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Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline oldtravler61

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2018, 06:45:37 PM »
  Only thing I would add is don't hear to bend. Cold bend it...At least that's what work's best for me...other opinions may very...

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2018, 06:49:39 PM »
  Only thing I would add is don't hear to bend. Cold bend it...At least that's what work's best for me...other opinions may very...
I'm really deaf these days so I haven't heard a bend in some time. ;)
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Cory Joe Stewart

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2018, 06:58:34 PM »
I use the method that Hershel House shows in his dvd.  I just clamp it in the vice and pull the barrel towards me.  May need to bounce it a little bit.  This has always worked for a simple tang, like what is on that kit.  If it is more complex like a longer tang, you may need to use a more complicated method. 

Welcome to the process.

Cory Joe Stewart

Offline oldtravler61

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2018, 10:22:49 PM »
 Mike that was heat to bend...dang spell check...anyways....Good catch..to bad I missed it...that's why your out proof reader...we need a guy who makes no mistakes...thanks for catching it...

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2018, 11:37:41 PM »
Mike that was heat to bend...dang spell check...anyways....Good catch..to bad I missed it...that's why your out proof reader...we need a guy who makes no mistakes...thanks for catching it...
Hey listen now, being perfect isn't as easy as it looks.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Frank

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2018, 01:27:15 AM »
I use the method that Hershel House shows in his dvd.  I just clamp it in the vice and pull the barrel towards me.  May need to bounce it a little bit.  This has always worked for a simple tang, like what is on that kit.  If it is more complex like a longer tang, you may need to use a more complicated method. 

Welcome to the process.

Cory Joe Stewart

Yep, That's how I do it.

Offline oldtravler61

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Re: Breech tang bending
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2018, 01:29:53 AM »
  Nope your right...My Dad use to say.."There's only two perfect people in the world.Me an you...But I ain't to sure about you!" Then again it was probably the wife..