SMR butt plate giving me fits

[Frozen Run]

I just hold the edge flat against the diamond plate and sharpen in a circular motion. I do not put a burr on the edges. It took me a while to figure out best way to use it. Mostly I use the side with small scraper.

Thank you, is the diamond shaped painted handle portion also a cutting surface or does it have a different temper or edge geometry to make that impractical?

[RaiderSix]

Okay. Still working on it. I seem to be making slow progress, but progress nonetheless. I’ve been holding tightly downward on the tang and then lightly tapping on the butt. I’m ignoring removing any wood off the “top shelf” and focusing entirely on the butt plate. It seems to be working.

[flinchrocket]

Still looks like you’re hitting the front of the comb extension. ( tang I guess your calling it ) try tapping on that pointy thing sticking out.

[RaiderSix]

Yep. Gonna focus on that forward end for a bit. Getting house things done today, and a range day tomorrow with my centerfire guns. It’s been too long since I’ve smelled gunpowder.

[Birddog6]

Initially, the buttplate was hitting on the Inside edge on top because the wood it rests on is sloped up rather than flat.

1: Make sure the buttplate top edges are flat & sharp, not rounded edges.
2: Look at those black marks. They are all sloping up towards the middle where it is hitting. That has to be flat.
3: Flatten each side, in fact it can go just a smuge lower as it goes in. Not much or it will chip a piece out. But
    flat or a hair less on the Inside edge.




Looks like it needs to go just a tad forward now.

[msw]

don't know if this will help, but here goes:

i had the same problem with my kibler smr ... then i re-watched his vids and noticed that he was using a file to adjust the fit, so i put down my chisel and picked up a fine round file and took just a few swipes ... just enough to take off the inletting black ... this worked OK, but i will have to plug the holes and redrill them, as you will apparently have to do ...

best of luck with your project

[RaiderSix]

Initially, the buttplate was hitting on the Inside edge on top because the wood it rests on is sloped up rather than flat.

1: Make sure the buttplate top edges are flat & sharp, not rounded edges.
2: Look at those black marks. They are all sloping up towards the middle where it is hitting. That has to be flat.
3: Flatten each side, in fact it can go just a smuge lower as it goes in. Not much or it will chip a piece out. But
    flat or a hair less on the Inside edge.




Looks like it needs to go just a tad forward now.

You are correct. Even though I used a file on the butt plate like shown in the build videos, it is slightly rounded at the edges. I am getting it very close to where I can live with whatever imperfections are left. I don’t want to take any metal off this late in the game and set myself back.

[RaiderSix]

don't know if this will help, but here goes:

i had the same problem with my kibler smr ... then i re-watched his vids and noticed that he was using a file to adjust the fit, so i put down my chisel and picked up a fine round file and took just a few swipes ... just enough to take off the inletting black ... this worked OK, but i will have to plug the holes and redrill them, as you will apparently have to do ...

best of luck with your project

Yeah, I rewatched that video too and realized Jim was using a file back there. I’m pretty close to closing my gaps now and too afraid to change tactics and screw up the fit. The good news is that I have reinvigorated my chisel sharpening skills...and I learned that a strop and compound is really handy at keeping the edge alive between stonings.

[Birddog6]

No matter what metal I install, first thing I do is take a metal file to it.  I want Clean Sharp edges & usually want them beveled In just a tad. On rounded edges same way, sharp on outside & slight bevel in. Same on a lockplate when inletting a lock.
Yep, that jewelers rouge & a honing block is a must.  I think mine came from WoodCrafts, it has the V's & rounded parts.  I just made a flat one & used for years, but it was a issue on the inside of the rounded ones & V's. So this lil block from there I bought ? 20 yrs ago did the trick.

That buttplate fit is definitely a GO.  looks good.  Put that baby on & proceed.  Get the rifle all done take a lil Kiwi Dark Brown Paste wax & push a lil in the corner tip & forget it. Same way on any other inlets.  Have a very tiny imperfection, seal it up with some Kiwi dark brown paste wax.

[RaiderSix]

Well, I took a few months off from working on my rifle. I got tired of seeing it unfinished on the wall, so I decided to go at it again. I got everything else fit and pinned over the past few days. I gave a little try at the butt plate tonight and have decided that “perfect is the enemy of good.” Now on to filling the old holes with dowels and re-drilling, then cutting off the butt plate overhang at the toe.

[Waksupi]

John Bivens mentioned he had observed original rifles that the butt plate edges had been peened to fit, then filed smooth. I've used this method on dozens of guns, and it works great. Anneal the metal, and go after it gently and carefully.