Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: JohnN on January 23, 2011, 11:02:31 AM

Title: loose barrel band
Post by: JohnN on January 23, 2011, 11:02:31 AM

Am building a French musket that uses barrel bands. 2 of them do not use spring keepers. I took a little too much wood off and now the band nearest the lock is loose. I thought when I added the finish it would tighten it up a little but it hasn't. Is there a clear substance I could add that would build up and be sandable ? Thought about something like barrel bedding compound but would like something I could get at a local hardware store. Thanks.

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Post by: greyhunter on January 23, 2011, 12:28:03 PM

I would try shrinking the band instead of fooling with the wood. Easier to disguise repair. ie, cut and reweld the band. Or apply epoxy to inside of band and sand to fit if you don't have welding option. Jewelers resize rings up and down all the time, ask a smith here how to. Good luck, regards GH.

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Post by: ridjrunr on January 23, 2011, 01:24:24 PM

How about soft soldering shim material on the inside of band?

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Post by: 2 Locks on January 23, 2011, 01:56:10 PM

I you go with the epoxy method, sand & deeply scratch the inside of the barrel band to get good adhesion.  Don't use a thickener or the repair will be more visible. It builds up fairly quickly, but lightly sand between coats. Use cheap disposable brushes. Don't sand the last coat (or add one last very thin coat if you had to sand to fit), this should give you a more "invisible" repair.

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Post by: Firewalker on January 23, 2011, 01:56:32 PM

Just a thought, I'm not real familiar with that arm, but could you drill a minute hole, 1/16" through it and pin it in place? I guess that wouldn't work if its wobble loose.

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Post by: JohnN on January 23, 2011, 03:02:50 PM

I had originally thought of adding a shim (22gauge steel) to the whole band where it contacts the wood. That was too much so I made 2  pieces that would go on each side (and not the bottom) of the band. Still too much so I tried just 1 and that fit. So I took ridjrunr's advice and soldered it in. Looks like it will work just fine. May have to do some fine filing and sanding. Thanks for all the ideas.