Lock screw trouble, oh boy...

[comitatense]

Hi again,

I think I may have really done it this time.  I forgot to consult my copy of Buchele/Shumway/Alexander's Recreating the American Longrifle before I drilled the rear lock screw hole into the breech plug and the stock.  The hole ended up about 1/16 of an inch south of where it should be on the lock bolster.  I can drill the hole into the lock bolster, but once I have the hole, I will need to tap it. and once I do that, I doubt there will be anything left of the bolster for the screw to hold on to.  The center point of the hole in the bolster is exactly 1/16" from the bottom of the bolster, and since I am using a 1/8" screw... 

Sorry about the bad photo, but you can barely see where the silver dot is in the lower right corner of the bolster. That is the center point of the screw hole. The center point is 1/16" from the bottom edge. This gives me no breathing room for the 1/8" drill bit.

Any help that you could provide would be great.

Rob

[eagle24]

Rob,

I can't see your photo, but I think I understand your dilemma.  I'm by no means an expert, but if it were mine I would plug the hole in the stock with a 1/8" hardwood dowel and redrill it.  You haven't screwed up anything that will show when you are done.  I'm sure some of the more experienced folks on here will offer advice.

[P.W.Berkuta]

Without having the part handy and taking measurements - I would make a extention to the bottom of the bolster -- say a pad (3/16"X3/16"X1/8") that will capture the threaded hole and solder it in place. then drill and tap as normal. The only thing would be is how high will the main spring rise when in full cock and will it hit the lock bolt. This is what you will have to determin with some measurements. Also adjust the pad size to fit the lock bolt. Good luck --

[Stophel]

Plug the hole and re do it.

Drill the holes in the lock FIRST, where you want them, then drill through the stock.   

[Randy Hedden]

Here is your photo



Randy Hedden

[FG1]

It doest look like you drilled the bolster yet ? I would center punch above spot that is marked centering correctly and drill my pilot hole . Replace lock and redrill pilot hole in stock . Then follow up with tap size drill , all from lock side.

[Acer Saccharum]

It looks like I lost my glasses....

I, too, would plug the wood and re-drill.

Acer

[comitatense]

Thanks for the advice on the dowels and redrilling.  What do I do about the hole in the breechplug that the screw is supposed to go through?

Again, many thanks to you all!

Rob

[Birddog6]

You should be using a 8-32 or a 10-32 screw.  

Take the barrel out.

Glue a plug in the holes you have there. Don't force the plugs in as you will split the wood.  Let it dry a good 4 hrs or more to be SURE it is set good.

Drill a pilot hole in the bolster in the lock & in the other side where your lockplate hole goes.

Use a Drill Point & clamp the lock in & drill thru the lock with the tap drill size
Turn it over & drill back thru the other way.







Now drill the thru hole side on the lockplate side.

Now take a tap & tap thru the stock into the lock bolster.  Get it stated well & then
take the lock out & tap on thru the bolster, Slowly & back out MANY times. DO NOT break the tap off in there or you have more problems.

Now take all of that out & put the barrel back in.  Put some inletting black on the screw end & push it to the barrel & take it out.

The black mark is what you have to remove to get the clearance. Don't try to drill the hole thru the barrel with it in the stock.  All you need is clearance so the bolt goes in easily into the lockplate.,.

I Never try to drill thru the tang/breechplug with it in the stock.  Many times they are tapered & that makes the drill bit walk & you end up missing the hole in the bolster.

Same proceedure on the tang to the lockplate.  Make sure barrel is IN, Pinned before doing the tang.

I am sure there are lots of ways to do it, this works for me.   

Keith

[JTR]

What do I do about the hole in the breechplug that the screw is supposed to go through?

Just make the hole larger. You probably don't want the screw touching the breechplug anyway.

John

[Stophel]

It's not going to be off that much, just file the hole in the breechplug to accomodate the new screw position.

[PIKELAKE]

In drilling a new hole in the lock plate bolster, consideration should be given to the bridle position on the bolster, I think.

[California Kid]

In drilling a new hole in the lock plate bolster, consideration should be given to the bridle position on the bolster, I think.

He doesn't have a hole in the lock plate yet.

[PIKELAKE]

CALIF. kID,  I,m sorry just scratch the "new" from my post. I should have been more clear. His drill mark on the bolster if he was to drill it there, would conflict with the bridle on a few locks, not all, but a few. I found that when I drill a crucial hole it helps to set parameters, it keeps me out trouble most of the time.

[California Kid]

CALIF. kID,  I,m sorry just scratch the "new" from my post. I should have been more clear. His drill mark on the bolster if he was to drill it there, would conflict with the bridle on a few locks, not all, but a few. I found that when I drill a crucial hole it helps to set parameters, it keeps me out trouble most of the time.

Your right, it should be moved more towards the pan and higher.

[Stophel]

Here's how I drill for lock bolts:

Find the positions that you want the bolts to go on on the lock side.  Carefully measure and mark the position for the front lock bolt especially closely.  When satisfied with positioning, lay the stock on the sideplate side on the drill press, and drill through with the tap size (for 8-32, that's number 29).  The drilled holes will be perpendicular now to the sideplate side, which is what you want (the screw heads draw down flat).  Depending upon exactly where the screw hole is, and where the breechplug tang is, you may or may not have to drill through the plug.  If so, do it now.  Make sure that it is TIGHTLY clamped down in place.  Now, put the lock in place, clamp it in, and with a hand drill, go through the holes from the sideplate side and drill through the lockplate.  Remove the lockplate, and put the stock (with barrel, if you drilled through the breechplug) back on the drillpress, sideplate side down, and redrill through the holes with your through size drill (for 8-32, through size is supposedly 19, but that will be too small, and it will end up needing to be 18).  Then, put the lock back in place, and tap through the stock into the lockplate (no oil...it will soak into the stock.  For a couple of holes like this, it isn't really necessary if you have a good tap).  This way, the threads will be properly aligned with the holes.  And there you have it.