Win 94 Large loop lever - feeler
- Thread starter cody c
- Start date
Im shaping the loops with a grinder, then die grinder and sand paper maybe polish them up with 400 or 800 grit, they'll be pretty shiny, the edges and shape will be the same original ones except for the sling loop, and the sling loop will have a lot of material taken off so it isnt so bulky, itll be tapered in. It might be a pain to get it right.
I started on them a couple days ago, but probably wont have time to work on them till late next week, though they are starting to take form.
Edit: I havent installed anything yet, Im still waiting to get it back from the machine shop, they were going to remove material at the tip of it, then I need to smooth out the loops with sanding discs on the die grinder, Im starting to think about getting them brass plated instead of nickel (to match the rivots and loop on the butt stock). Would thaving them brass plated be more appealing to you guys over nickel, or even copper plated?? Just curious.
I started on them a couple days ago, but probably wont have time to work on them till late next week, though they are starting to take form.
Edit: I havent installed anything yet, Im still waiting to get it back from the machine shop, they were going to remove material at the tip of it, then I need to smooth out the loops with sanding discs on the die grinder, Im starting to think about getting them brass plated instead of nickel (to match the rivots and loop on the butt stock). Would thaving them brass plated be more appealing to you guys over nickel, or even copper plated?? Just curious.
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Ok,
I probably wont do another run of barrel bands because they take a lot of time with a die grinder, though I may do another or two of the lever loops. (maybe 5-20 loops all together). Lever loops cost me more, but don't really take up much of my time.
The cost is more because of machining the tip down, the bands are cheaper but take too much of my time to shape them that i don't think they're worth while. Basically for me to sell them and make money Id have to ask over $100 a pair +shipping, which isn't bad compared to what they cost from winchester, but I don't think its appealing to spend that kind of money on an old 30-30.
I think Ill need to charge about $125 for the lever loops (possibly less if machining costs aren't too bad) and add to that $25 or so for nickel or brass plating.
The good news is that I've got a start on the barrel bands, I'm shaping one set for myself first so I'm not making mistakes on any of them to be sold, and its looking pretty good, though getting the sling loop shaped properly is a bit finicky, and I still need to find a better die grinder tip to round the inside edge of the sling loop so it doesn't wear into the sling.
Does anyone know the thread pitch of the screws used for the barrel bands? I need to find a tap, to tap them. Actually, and maybe a resource to find a couple replacement screws, I cant find where I left them.
Edit: Found some screws online, and the tap for post 64's is a #4-56, really really uncommon and somewhat difficult to find.
Edit: Found some screws online, and the tap for post 64's is a #4-56, really really uncommon and somewhat difficult to find.
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please do so. I wouild also take the case hardened finish, if that is all that is available. First choice though, is blued.
With 304, blued wont be an option, I dont think there is enough interest to do a second run, so at this time there will be only three of the lever loops made, one for me and the other two go to you, and whoever else it was that PM'ed me a couple weeks ago.
I posted this thread as a feeler, and I see there is a little bit of interest, but its not really worth it for me to do less then batches of 5, and actually 10 would be prefferable. From what Ive seen in the past, 10 people interested means 4 or 5 that are willing to purchase. Actually, machining and waterjet cost are about the same for the first 3 in a batch of 5, as they are for a single loop...
At this time I think the only coating that will hold to the SS is black nitride coating. So I will either have them coated at some point, unless you want to find a coating for yourself, in which case Im happy to mail it as a "polished stainless finish" cause it saves me time and money.
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I'd prolly go with the black coat and pay the extra in that case as long as it will fit my pre '64 (1949er). If that does not come about, I'll take the polished stainless finish, just so that I don't miss out on one.
OK, two dogs and silvertip got theirs sent out in the mail on tuesday, both in polished stainless, though they may have a couple finger prints on them from taking them to the post office. Please post feedback about them here, and/or pictures when you get them installed, and let me know if you have any issues with them.
I realized I promised more then I had made...
So there is another batch being built. The second batch had a couple minor improvements. The first batch were cut with laser table locally, the second will be water jet from a place Ive ordered a bunch of stuff through in the states. The laser jet melted the edges a bit and the profile of the loops was a pinch narrower then I wanted, the next batch will be marginally thicker around the loop section. I also lengthened the loop by around 3/8". The ones I had built are comfortable, but the extra little bit of length may give just a bit more room for gloves.
Here's a pic of mine with the loop and bands installed, had it out north west of edmonton looking for sign of pigs on the weekend, never seen a pig but got to fire off a few rounds and it worked and looks great for me!
you may recognize the pics, I posted them in the 30-30/lever action threads a few days ago.
John wesley hardin: If you have a lever off a 38spec/357 mag you could send me I can check if they are the same size, or draw one up for you.
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Ok, I will have 5 more availible in the next couple months, they will be $125 shipped as over size letter, I'm not going to bother figuring out coatings, they will be SS.
here's who will get them assuming they still are interested at this price, unless they decide to pass when they are ready:
1. Leg
2. Sawzall
3. edit: a second one for silvertip
4. edit: a second one for myself!
5. _______
here's who will get them assuming they still are interested at this price, unless they decide to pass when they are ready:
1. Leg
2. Sawzall
3. edit: a second one for silvertip
4. edit: a second one for myself!
5. _______
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I'm still interested. Just has to be near a payday as the wife keeps me on a pretty strict budget. It gets harder and harder to sneak this stuff past her.
What about blasted stainless? Think I'd prefer the matte look and it should be less work, no?
Too bad you're not making any more sling loops. I think I'll have a piece of heavy gauge wire bent and welded to my barrel band, won't be pretty but it would be functional and cheap.
What about blasted stainless? Think I'd prefer the matte look and it should be less work, no?
Too bad you're not making any more sling loops. I think I'll have a piece of heavy gauge wire bent and welded to my barrel band, won't be pretty but it would be functional and cheap.
I'm still in for one. I just forgot about thisPlease pm me when available.
Ill PM you when they're ready
Well, I guess it depends on perspective. When I did the first set of bands on my 30-30, I offset the hole to one side, as the availible thicknesses of that stainless was smaller or thicker then what was on the rifle, so I ordered thicker. I guess the option for you is to have a wider band with the holes offset slightly to one side and have a wider more pronounced band, or else grind it down to original thickness.
Man, I need machine shop equipment for this stuff sometimes...
more pics, cause I like threads with pics, I did have to adjust the exposure and shadows to get the stainless to show against the reflection of the barrel:
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Silvertip13
Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
Here is a picture of the lever Cody sent me installed on my Win 94 AE trapper, it is a nice piece of work and feels perfect when working the action. Thanks Cody and the next one from you already has a home on a .307 Big Bore.
Thanks for the feedback silvertip, that winchester looks great! Really nice lumber on that one and you got the lever to match the colour of your AE pretty well, what coating did you use?
Im kinda thinking about keeping one of the next batch, and trying to find a beater 94 to put some parts on and get refinished, I also have some more manitoba maple (box elder) in the right size to make a stock for one, if anyone knows of a "beater" 94 with poor finish, maybe missing some lumber or loop or a few parts please let me know.
Im kinda thinking about keeping one of the next batch, and trying to find a beater 94 to put some parts on and get refinished, I also have some more manitoba maple (box elder) in the right size to make a stock for one, if anyone knows of a "beater" 94 with poor finish, maybe missing some lumber or loop or a few parts please let me know.
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Silvertip13
Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
Don't burn me for this but I painted it with Krylon, just to get a feel for the color. I'm going to mull it over for a while and if I decide to keep it that color I will get it Cerakoted.
