Lapping Compound Substitute

greywolf67nt

greywolf67nt

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I have a new 1911 barrel bushing that is really tight and don't want to screw it up using a dremel or sand paper.
Is there some common household products I can use to make my own?
Someone (doing Google search) said toothpaste so I felt some and the grit in it would take me a hundred years to lap ANYTHING.
 
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The real valve lapping compound is inexpensive at any auto parts store or any repair garage would give you some no doubt.
Good luck
 
Metal polish, toothpaste, buffing compound (check in your Dremel kit, if you have one), dissolving a piece of emery paper in water and collecting the paste, working a slurry off a japanese water stone, using a hammer to crush diamonds, grading the particles using olive oil, etc. Comet cleanser powder is pretty abrasive too.

Lots of options. Depending on how much material you want to be able to move, and how long you would need to work to accomplish anything.

Gotta be a couple mechanics shops around you can ask after some valve lapping compound, no?

Syringes of diamond lapping paste are cheap off ebay.
 
Valve grinding compound is your answer.

Toothpaste and JB Bore Cleaner are for cleaning things and will basically have zero effect on steel dimensions.
 
There is no substitute for lapping compound for fine parts fitting.
Usually valve grinding compound is twice as rough and aggressive as needed.
Use no coarser than 400 grade for quick results but with light contact between parts I would start with 600 grade for best fit.
GR8 2c worth....
 
Use lapping compound. There is no substitute. As above- 400 will move dimensions quickly, 600 less so and higher even slower. If you try toothpaste tell us how long you tried before you gave up...
 
Clover lapping compound is the best thing to use. Any industrial supply should have it on the shelf. One container of 400 grit should last the rest of your life. That's what I use for lapping a rough chamber.
 
OP, Does the bushing just fit snugly or does it get stuck if you push it on???

Lapping may not be the best solution, especially with power tools.

There is a very fine lapping paste out there made from "diamond grit" rather than carborundum. It's very fine and basically is meant for polishing surfaces.

It's been my experience that polishing the outside of the barrel is often enough.

When I do this, I start with 400 grit wet dry paper. Just enough to smooth things out. After that I use 600 then 800 then 1000 grit to give a very smooth finish.

As for the bushing. That's a different story. It's relatively easy to keep the outer surface of the barrel consistent but the bushing can be ruined if you aren't careful

Here's what I do.

I take a cleaning jag and wrap it in the opposite direction to that of a drill press or hand drill. A Dremel can be used but only if you have a VICE to hold the bushing as it will likely get HOT.

I use a bit of tape to keep the edge of the wet dry paper attached to the jag, then wrap the wet dry paper on until there is only enough clearance for it to fit loosely into the bore of the bushing. I add a drop of cutting oil onto the inside surface of the bushing. Then fit it over the wrapped jag and start the drill. BE CAREFUL. It doesn't take much go with 400-600-800-1000 grit in careful steps until the inside surface is polished.

Wipe off the excess cutting fluid and slide the bushing over the barrel. It SHOULDN'T BE A SLOPPY FIT but it shouldn't be tight either.

When the pistol is assembled, the slide should come back with a bit of extra resistance in comparison to a factory installed bushing and return to battery without assistance when the slide is released in the manner is is supposed to be.

If it's right, the pistol will operate reliably/consistently.

Repeat the process above, until it is working smoothly.

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
 
If your looking for lapping compound I prolly have some in my tool box that I have not used in umpteen years, shoot me a pm if you need it for the cost of shipping.
I'll look tonight, but shipping to Norman Wells might be an issue...hell that would be a wild ride on the Harley.
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
hell that would be a wild ride on the Harley.
Rob
Click to expand...

If Jesse James can ride The ice road to Tuktoyaktuk you can make it here on the winter road and I'll even feed you when you get here. Ever had caribou stew?
Bushing was TIGHT so I used some 600 grit wet dry with a little oil and got it so it was TIGHT Ordered some diamond grit paste last night just to finish it off so it is TIGHT
 
If you want finer lapping compund than the readily available valve grinding compound, Lee Valley has the abrasive grit. Just mix it with whatever grease you have on hand.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=33017&cat=1,320,43072,67174,33017
 
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