flint too loose

[BillF/TRF]

I just finished polishing all the hardware and putting everything together on my York County pre-carve.  I would like to test fire the rifle but can't seem to keep the flint secure in the hammer jaws.  I am using the flint and leather that came with the kit but wonder why the flint seems to just "squeeze" out of position when I try tightening it down.  Is there anything I can do to keep it from moving?

[drago]

I had that happen once. The flint was to thin and the jaw has a stop on it that prevented it from tightening down on the flint. I added a piece of leather under the flint and that fixed my problem.

[smylee grouch]

Did you put a notch in the back of the flint and flint leather? Is the flint one with a slight hump on it?

[Mike Brooks]

All of the above and maybe use a thicker leather or a thicker flint or both. Just because that leather and  flint came with the kit doesn't make them the correct ones to use.

[Daryl]

If the jaws are gripping on the  back side of a peak on the flints upper surface the flint will sqeeze forward. This should actually be evident if you watch while tightening up the saw screw.

[stubshaft]

Another thing you may try is to dimple or groove the cock jaw so that the leather has something to grip.

[Ky-Flinter]

If the flint has a hump, you can flatten it if you have a diamond sharpening "stone".  Don't be tempted to use a grinding wheel.  Too much heat and the flint will shatter.  I've also used J-B Weld to build up the rear end of humpy and misshapen flints.  Use masking tape to make a dam.  File off flat once it hardens.

-Ron

[BillF/TRF]

I dimpled the upper and lower jaw and that has made them grip the leather much better! I'll find out how well it holds when i fire the rifle at the range.  Thanks stubshaft and the rest for the suggestions!

[bgf]

If the flint has a hump, you can flatten it if you have a diamond sharpening "stone".  Don't be tempted to use a grinding wheel.  Too much heat and the flint will shatter.  I've also used J-B Weld to build up the rear end of humpy and misshapen flints.  Use masking tape to make a dam.  File off flat once it hardens.

-Ron

Ron,
That JBWeld idea is genius.  I've used it for almost everything else, it'll work for that! 

[OldMtnMan]

Why do they put that hump in a flint? I've never liked them.

[L. Akers]

Why do they put that hump in a flint? I've never liked them.

It's a cheaper way to make flints.  You can get more flints out of a nodule by making the pyramid style than the flat-top type.

[OldMtnMan]

I dislike them even more now.

Thanks.

[Turtle]

I find elk hide the best to wrap a flint with

[Bob Roller]

I much prefer the "flints"from Guenter Stifter in Germany.Uniform dimensions
and no humps to contend with.

Bob Roller

[Hank*in*WV]

Instead of JB Weld, I use hot-melt glue.

[Hessian]

I've used a triangular file to cut more aggressive "grooves" in the jaws. Also I sometimes use sheet lead to "wrap" a flint. (Flatten a large round ball) The JB Weld idea is pure genius!
Hessian

[bgf]

Why do they put that hump in a flint? I've never liked them.

It's a cheaper way to make flints.  You can get more flints out of a nodule by making the pyramid style than the flat-top type.

Interesting, I just assumed some broke of flat and others humped.  Some locks don't seem to have a problem with the humps, either, though flat always is easier to install!

I have seen symmetrical, humped flints where both sides were usable, if the lock jaws would hold them.  Twice as nice, for the same price.

[rich pierce]

bgf, I’ve never had fine nodules to work but have made a lot of flints.  Depending on the size and regularity of the core, about half the blades are triangular when I make flints from small, oddly shaped cores.

[stubshaft]

Instead of JB Weld, I use hot-melt glue.

If you put it thick enough on the top and bottom it might not need leather.  Just another thing for me to try...

[OldMtnMan]

bgf, I’ve never had fine nodules to work but have made a lot of flints.  Depending on the size and regularity of the core, about half the blades are triangular when I make flints from small, oddly shaped cores.

Are you still selling flints, Rich?

[rich pierce]

Not really selling flints anymore. Can’t keep up.  My biggest issue is it takes time to find decent rock. If I make flints there’s no time to build guns. 

[OldMtnMan]

I'm sure building guns is more fun.

[rich pierce]

I'm sure building guns is more fun.

More fun, less money!   

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

What need would a man, rich beyond measure, have for money?

[rich pierce]

What need would a man, rich beyond measure, have for money?

Indeed!  I agree, money is not fulfilling.

Taylor, my dad used to tell me, “No matter how poor you are, you’ll always be Rich!”