Intro, first build, first question

[Jason C]

Hello,


I've been lurking a little, posting a little, and thought I might make a post to say hello to everyone and ask my first of probably many questions. Recently bought a Chamber's Haines kit. I've already made a couple of boo-boos with dull files( )and before I do anything else really dumb I have a question.

I'm trying to bend the tang to follow the shape of the stock and I can't get it to bend where I need it to. Is there anything wrong with filing/cutting some relief on the underside so it will bend where I need it too? Anyone have any tips. 
Attached a couple of picks to show more what I'm talking about.




Thanks,


Jason

 

[smylee grouch]

Thats a fairly thick tang, I would do as you suggested, it seems to help somewhat for me anyway.

[WKevinD]

I just looked for the thread, couldn't find it, but it was all about just this.  There is no need for the tang to bolster to have a radius. If you square that up and clamp your tang in a vice (with a little room for the bolster) you should be able to gently pull the barrel and make that bend.

Kevin

[Jason C]

Thanks for the input, I did a search both here and via google and couldn't find anything that said definitely one way or the other. I'll work on it some more after work.

[Mike Brooks]

Look up my tutorial, it shows how to do this.

[Jason C]

Look up my tutorial, it shows how to do this.

Is this the right one http://americanlongrifles.org/PDF/tutorial.pdf ? That's a great resource but doesn't mention a great deal about in-letting the breech plug; just shaping the nose.

[Mike Brooks]

Look up my tutorial, it shows how to do this.

Is this the right one http://americanlongrifles.org/PDF/tutorial.pdf ? That's a great resource but doesn't mention a great deal about in-letting the breech plug; just shaping the nose.

You're right, I breezed over that part. Just do what burnt says. Cut that radius square and you're tang will bend where you want it too. You'll still have a bit of a hump in that area, but you can file that off once you have it inlet.

[TommyG]

I just did one of these today.  Like Mike & Burnt said, get rid of the radius on the breach bolster.  I think most guys just bend to fit, trial and error, no need to make a big deal out of it, but here is how I do it.

First get rid of the radius


I use one of these contour gauges.  I set the barrel in without the breach plug, put a mark where the breach is located and take the barrel/wrist profile.



Set the tang in the vise.  I eyeball the centerline of the barrel with a square



Bend until it fit the contour gauge profile

[Jason C]

Thanks all.


Tommy, I'm gonna add a contour gauge to the tool list; looks real handy.