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Author Topic: Silver barrel keys  (Read 2994 times)

Offline Benedict

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Silver barrel keys
« on: December 21, 2009, 05:29:42 PM »
On my current build, I am planning on having brass barrel keys with silver heads.  But now that I am getting near the point of putting the heads on, I am not sure what would be the best way to do it.  Obviously, I need to solder them on but would a butt joint be strong enough or would some sort of mechanical joint be needed in addition to the solder.  Any thought or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bruce
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Offline RonT

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Re: Silver barrel keys
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2009, 05:37:14 PM »
JMHO, I like a halo effect.  I once made a set of Browned (steel) keys that were drilled through, the hole squared up and cross bar silver soldered to the cap. 
R
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Offline rick landes

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Re: Silver barrel keys
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2009, 05:41:34 PM »
Regardless of the pin to head joint I would silver solder it. I think it is best for strength and also it will blend well with your brass and silver joints
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Offline Jim Kibler

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Re: Silver barrel keys
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2009, 06:08:19 PM »
Silver brazing without any mechanical joint will be plenty strong. The head is generally not all that much bigger than the key and there isn't a lot of force on it either.  I have at times used a shaped punch to upset a  head prior to cutting it out of sheet and brazing it on.  This works well in that it creates a slight pocket for the silver braze.
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Offline Robby

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Re: Silver barrel keys
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2009, 06:46:58 PM »
Benedict, I have done the same thing with both steel and brass tenon's. I file a nub on the end of the tenon, and drill a shallow hole in the head. I also use silver solder. Is all that extra work necessary? I don't know, but haven't had one fail yet. Good luck!
Robby
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Offline B Shipman

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Re: Silver barrel keys
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2009, 08:33:36 AM »
I do this on most of my rifles. That is, use a brass or silver head on a steel wedge.
I cut and file two pins on the head of the wedge, and file the wedge and "pin" heads at the angle I want the head to be. Shallow holes are drilled at an angle in the head material and the two silver soldered together. This creates more surface area and strength. My test is a large chisel and a two pound hammer. The joint most hold before the head is sheared off.
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Offline ptk1126

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Re: Silver barrel keys
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2009, 03:58:45 PM »
In a similar vein, I need to make two brass headed lock bolts for my current project (a Nathan Clause
lehigh style). I can't tell if the whole bolt was brass but assume it was ?

I have a 3/8" brass rod and was thinking of making the bolts entirely from brass, or making the heads
and attaching to steel bolts. What do you think ?

all the best
Paul
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