gunsmith needs advice

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elijah_lee

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Sadly south of highway 40
ok a guy brings me a mosin nagant 91/30 that has some sporter work on it,he then shows me where he tryed to mount the ati mosin mount,he drilled and taped 2 holes(in the wrong spot)then drilled a 3rd hole to try and make it strait,i can re drill and tap it right if i can plug the screw holes,(remember i would have to drill half on top of the plugs so they have the be in there good)i was thinking of lathing down some plugs that are half the thickness of the steel and tap them to the bottom and weld them closed(then file and sand) and then redrill and tap.any other ideas and keep in mind replacement is NOT an option

thanks for your time

Eli
 
I have done similar on other pieces of work (not on a firearm though) with great success. The hard part comes with making the new hole and keeping your drill from wandering, generally if I have to do this to a work piece I will drill through with an endmill (with the shortest length possible) to reduce the chance of wandering. When you go to tap be very very careful as weld is often a b*tch to tap.

The second option that I have used when welding is not possible is to thread in a plug, peen the plug to tighten it up once its threaded in. Then file down. Its is definitely less pretty but it will work and with very small holes is sometimes the better option.

Good luck!
 
Do you have access to a TIG? If so you just put in the plugs leaving them a little high and then blend them into the surrounding metal and file to shape, centre punch and drill new hole. TIG won't usually harden the existing metal.
 
If you're going to use plugs definitely loctite them. Blackmax would be my choice. Even with tig i'd be concerned that they might wiggle.

Cosmetically I wouldn't be concerned. The scope mount should cover up the fresh work.

Other option would be to build a mounting pad with fresh holes so you're dealing with clean steel.

gl
 
The TIG idea is a good one.

When drilling overlapping holes, I find that even tightened to the max and Loke-Tited, the bit will want to move over onto the plug just because that metal is softer.
 
elijah_lee said:
just welded the plugs in but when i went to install the scope mount i broke the (crappy) bits that came with it.ugh i hate drilling weld any ideas where to get nice sharp bits
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You need proper end mills or a good center/spot drill to create the first hole for the drill to start.
Of course a good milling machine ensures the bits start and end true. Drill presses and long thin drill bits are most certainly going to wander and snap.
 
OK - I've been using a Centre Drill in my Universal Mill to start holes - they are very stiff/rigid, come in different sizes as does the flute/drill section - the Centre Drill will go almost to the desired depth, then you can use a finishing drill to size and depth - just a thought ..........
Regards
Oz
 
KBC tools. I've been having great luck with everything I'm getting from them.

Don't center drill to depth either. Not enough flutes to displace material. Or you'll have to stop and start alot.
 
Fastenal or Brafasco are usually good for having decent drills in stock. Don't touch any of the crap from Canadian Tire or princess. As others have said center drill is a good way to reduce you chance of broken tools. Failing that cut the drill bit as short as you can and put it as far up into the chuck as possible (so you only have enough drill exposed to go through your material), you just have to watch that the drill is centered in the chuck when you do this or the drill will wobble on you.
 
gaff said:
TIG, if you don't have one, find someone in your area that does, most auto body places have them.
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I'd go double on the 'find someone' suggestion.

As much as I WANT a TIG welder, I cannot justify the cost and thus, do not have one.

A decent quality small unit is worth a bunch of money. A cheap TIG welder is worth a bunch of misery! A guy that has a decent TIG welder and can use it well, is worth what he charges! :)

Cheers
Trev
 
I'd give him an estimate first and get a deposit first. Lot of guys think smithy work should be/is a lot cheaper than they realize. Then I'd put the mount holes in a slightly different spot.
 
trevj said:
I'd go double on the 'find someone' suggestion.

As much as I WANT a TIG welder, I cannot justify the cost and thus, do not have one.

A decent quality small unit is worth a bunch of money. A cheap TIG welder is worth a bunch of misery! A guy that has a decent TIG welder and can use it well, is worth what he charges! :)

Cheers
Trev
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That seems to be my problem too. There's no such thing as a good quality cheap TIG welder.
 
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