Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: PRB3 on June 23, 2021, 09:20:42 PM

Title: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PRB3 on June 23, 2021, 09:20:42 PM
Greetings all,
Looking for some guidance please. I'm trying to install a TOW Hawken cap box kit on my GPR. What I had a question on is how the single flat spring should be installed. The kit is cast steel and there is a cam lever on the lid. It seems like a nice quality kit, just not sure how the spring and cam are supposed to interact to keep the lid secure when closed yet allow it to be still when open . Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.
Thank you,
PRB3
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: Ohio Joe on June 23, 2021, 09:43:05 PM
I don't know if the following will be of any help, but I'll post it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO1-ynB0fLI
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: The Miner '49er on June 24, 2021, 10:52:28 AM
Sorry, but I can't help you as I have never done it. Are you working with the PB HAWK 2-I, or PB HAWKEN 3-I? I have wanted to do a capbox install on my GPR but thus far haven't the courage to do it. Please try to show how your work goes along with some pictures and tips, and maybe your work will push me to do it. I wish you success!
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PetahW on June 24, 2021, 12:47:45 PM
.

On the cap box I recently installed on my CVA Mountain Rifle, the flat spring is secured to the underside of the faceplate, just behind the forward cap box screw.

My cap box lid opens rear to front - IDK about the spring for a lid that opens/pivots from the side.

When installed, the rear end of the flat spring on my box extends a bit to the rear of the hinge/pivot point.

The bottom of the hinge/pivot is contoured in a way to enable it to hold the lid in both the open & closed position after the spring is installed - w/o any adjustment or particular care (I just screwed the spring on after first seating the lid.).

.
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PRB3 on June 25, 2021, 12:43:55 AM
Ohio Joe, Flintstone, PetahW,
Thank you all for you replies and time. The cap box is the PB HAWK 2-1, its the kit that comes with all screws and hinge pins and spring. The lid and plate are cast steel, seems like a nice kit just will need alot of fitting and finishing but that's part of the fun right? I will post updates. Thanks for the video Ohio Joe, great resource.
 Petah W I have not tried mounting the spring as you described...thank you I will give that a try and see how it goes
Thanks again everyone
PRB3
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PetahW on June 25, 2021, 11:46:51 AM
.

It looks like the Track PB-HAWK-2-1 is a side opener "pineapple" box with a torsion wire lid spring, which I have no experience with.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/813/1/PB-HAWK-2-I


(https://cdn.trackofthewolf.com/imgPart/pb/pb-hawk-2-i_0.jpg)


However, looking at it, I would bet that the long leg of the spring is the lid pivot, with the offset leg riding between the inside of the lock plate and the stock wood.
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PRB3 on June 25, 2021, 06:43:23 PM
Petah W,
That makes sense, and thank you again for your insight. The picture from Track doesn't show the spring well but its about 3/8 wide with a pre punched hole on the long straight end. The lid has a cam in the center that would be extending down towards the bottom of the cavity. So im thinking the spring is ether is anchored on the wall of the cavity on the bottom so that the cam rides along the bent side or as you suggest it anchors under the plate and extends to the cam. I will keep at it, thank you again I really do appreciate the help
PRB3
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PetahW on June 25, 2021, 08:27:08 PM
.

It seems that the hole in your spring is meant to anchor into the wood under the cap box frame.

My Google-fu found this on the American Longrifles forum:

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=24940.0


"I have not seen the TOW casting, but if it copies the hand forged ones Art Ressel had made, it is a simple spring. 

The spring is inlet in the bottom of the box cavity and held in place with one screw.

The lever on the box lid just cams over  a "hill" on the spring. 

Principle is same as a frizzen spring and the lever on a frizzen"





Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PRB3 on June 27, 2021, 04:25:57 AM
Petah W,
Thank you for the reference, I think what I'll do is assemble the cap box and set up a cavity in some scrap wood just to try the spring different ways before I start digging in on the rifle, once I get started on it I'll post what I figure out
PRB3
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: Winter Hawk on June 27, 2021, 04:12:48 PM
Here is a post by Captchee I copied off another site.  The drawing isn't all that clear as he was recovering from brain surgery (why he had palsy) at the time.  Trying it on scrap wood first is an excellent idea.  Don't ask why I say this....  :Doh!  :laffing  :o

~Kees~

Open the document first....


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Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PRB3 on June 29, 2021, 09:22:57 AM
Winter Hawk,
Lol..I think we've all been there...Great drawing ! Thanks for posting that, gives me another direction to take! Is Captchee ok? I've not been on the site for awhile, hope he's doing well, thoughts and prayers.
PRB3
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: PRB3 on June 29, 2021, 09:51:17 AM
All,
So I think I will start by fitting the steel hinge together, then attach the cap box to some scrap, dig out a cavity then see which way the spring fits best...thank you everyone for all the great info! I will post updates ....
Title: Re: TOW cap box on GPR
Post by: BEAVERMAN on June 29, 2021, 11:44:25 AM
Looking forward to the progress with this, good luck!