Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: jtwodogs on September 13, 2011, 08:30:45 PM

Title: What size drill bit?
Post by: jtwodogs on September 13, 2011, 08:30:45 PM: I know I could take caliper measure my ball with a patch around it. Then go to lowes and put my caliper to bits. But I thought surely someone has already done this, so I thought I would ask first. I want to make a loading block for my .62 cal., I use a LEE mold that throws a .600 ball and I use Wally World pillow ticking for a patch. Thanks for any help.
j
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Fletcher on September 13, 2011, 08:54:49 PM: I use a bit about 1/8" under the ball size and then use a cone shaped stone on a drill shank to chamfer the hole from both sides just enough so the ball and lubed patch fit snug but not too tight. Make sure you use a good hardwood for the block also - I use Hickory cause I get lots. Other wood would work also. I have a pretty good Forstner set that cuts very clean holes - depends on the ball size whether a common bit is going to fit!
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Sean McKown on September 13, 2011, 10:05:37 PM: I use a 5/8 with my .62 im using a ,610 with .010 patch. Fits decent, maybe slightly loose for my taste, but not bad. Only problem with the oddball drill bits is they are mighty exp. for a 1 o 2 time project.
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: greyhunter on September 13, 2011, 10:20:54 PM: Ask Two Steps, somewhere here he has posted a drill chart for loading blocks, jest can't seem ta remember where.............
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Uncle Russ on September 13, 2011, 11:40:01 PM: Quote from: "greyhunter"
Ask Two Steps, somewhere here he has posted a drill chart for loading blocks, jest can't seem ta remember where.............

Ask Two Steps? :lol:

Uncle Russ...
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Hank in WV on September 14, 2011, 06:25:32 AM: Sorry I'm not much help, but I just can't pass up an opportunity to harass ol' bro Al.

Uncle Russ...

Don't let it concern ya none Russ, it's always a good time to harass ol' Al.
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Two Steps on September 14, 2011, 09:24:56 AM: HA!!...y'all go ahead and harass ol Al now! <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" />

Al
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Fletcher on September 14, 2011, 10:40:55 AM: Thanks for the info Al - I copied it to my Rondy file of priceless info.......

Then found that I had already copied it to that file by the same name!

It hurts gettin old and fergitful - but the info is still in there somewhere.

OBTW - the chamfering of the hole with that stone cone does work great - smoothes the edges and adds a bit of 'burn' color to it!
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Uncle Russ on September 14, 2011, 11:38:25 AM: Quote from: "Two Steps"
HA!!...y'all go ahead and harass ol Al now! :lol sign Every hear that story about a blind Squirrel finding something...I suspect it may have really happened.

Uncle Russ...
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Buzzard on September 14, 2011, 01:53:05 PM: Now, Now, Russ, implying that Ol' Al is blind might be steppin over the line a mite, the part about a squirrel however is beyond refute! That's why he has to stay on Hanks back porch when they come to the ONWR.
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Two Steps on September 14, 2011, 02:02:34 PM: :roll eyes Go ahead...beat me up if ya haffta...But I Found It! Not blind anymore either :? ) And for your information...I'm gonna demand front porch privileges at Hank's next year
Fletcher...Glad ya found it sir...
Al
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Uncle Russ on September 14, 2011, 02:34:54 PM: Al, Ya gotta be careful moving up in the world to fast. Stick with the backpourch until the dog gets used to ya....

Guess I'm going to have to do something about my eyes too...seems I keep 'outgrowing' my old lookin glasses...that and the fact the right eye is getting a bit cloudy, or pidded, as my old grandpaw might say.

I've tried shootin with my left hand, every now and again, and that's sumkinda challenge, believe me on this one.

Al, since yer eyes are so all-fired good, did ya happen to find any of the other stickies when ya were digging around in there?

Little things like this can, at times, save a lot of askin and looking, maybe ya can pull 'em back up where they're a bit easier to find.

Glad Fletch and GH got the info, that is what it's all about.
I have used a similar system for a little different purpose, setting a couple wooden loading blocks on a piece of wax-paper and than pouring the lube for Minie-balls....then punch 'em out with me thumb. Certainly not the best method, but it does work.

Uncle Russ...
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 20, 2011, 01:20:11 PM: Well here is my first attempt at my .62 cal. loading block. I used a 5/8 paddle bit, I think it worked well.
Thanks for everyones input.
J
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: ridjrunr on December 20, 2011, 02:23:30 PM: Nice lookin rig. Is it black walnut that you used?
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 20, 2011, 03:06:34 PM: Thanks. I believe it was Black Walnut, hit with my mix of 1:1:1. Linseed, tung, tru oil.
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: Hank in WV on December 20, 2011, 05:09:35 PM: Did you oil the insides of the holes? One time I got lazy and didn't. Well after a couple of hours the block sucked all the lube off the patches and I got a ball stuck half way down the barrel. Didn't get to finish the trail walk that day.
Title: Re: What size drill bit?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 21, 2011, 08:37:02 PM: Yep, laid the 1:1:1 mix to the insides of the holes, wanted that part specailly sealed. They have been hangin in there so far.