Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: Catchem on August 27, 2012, 10:15:43 AM

Title: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Catchem on August 27, 2012, 10:15:43 AM
I read somewhere that a Dremel motor tool can be used to regrind a flint when it's useful life is over. I recently got my very own drill press! Not a big deal for many of us but it's the first 'bench tool' I've ever had. Drilling holes in a stock with a hand drill is a very chancy chore, as I have had lots of opportunity to find out.

So, can I use this drill press to regrind a flint? If so, keep your explanation simple, you're talking to an amateur here.
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: pathfinder on August 27, 2012, 11:39:32 AM
I wouldn't untill you get a little more experiance with the tool,AND you need a diamond coated grinding bit in the Dremal tool and HIGH speed.
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Hank in WV on August 27, 2012, 05:56:30 PM
And a dust mask
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Catchem on August 27, 2012, 08:40:09 PM
Dang.  
I guess I wrote poorly.  I HAVE a drill press, not a Dremel, and would like to find out if I can use the drill press to 'resharpen' my old flints.  They're black English and almost become a part of me as I use them and I hate to see them go (Also I'm cheap).
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: rickevans on August 28, 2012, 12:14:20 PM
Are you asking if you can put a fresh edge on your flints by using a drum sander attachment on your drill press?
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: cb on August 28, 2012, 01:13:01 PM
Why not just knap them? - it's easy, no mess no fuss and they don't even need to be removed from the lock. As to doing it with a diamond impregnated tool with a Dremel or drill press or by hand on a diamond sharpening "stone" - it can be done but again why. In over 50 years shooting flinters the  only time I use a diamond tool on a flint is to wear down those that overly humped.
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: rickevans on August 28, 2012, 01:47:07 PM
Yep. While I don't have as many years into this hobby as Pathfinder...

Just knap a new edge. Pretty easy once someone shows you how...
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Gordon H.Kemp on August 28, 2012, 03:43:52 PM
I have to agree with cb .
to use a diamond cutting tool to make the flint fit the jaws better is fine , but (I think) a knapped edge holds-up better then a ground edge . As to economics , (I think) the white R.P. Mo. flints workas well as the black english and are a little cheaper .
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: pathfinder on August 28, 2012, 04:14:42 PM
I've got a couple of buddy's who grind new edges that way,easier to knap! He' also wipes "Sparky Stuff" on his frizzen before he shoot's! At least that's what he SAY'S he's doing as he's wiping the frizzen before a shot. I alway's grin when he say's that.


Ps,he's one HECK of a smoothbore shooter!
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: rickevans on August 28, 2012, 04:22:38 PM
I am gonna save all that "Sparky Stuff" next time I am in the forge and using the grinder...evidently there may be a market for it!
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: cb on August 28, 2012, 04:31:05 PM
The RP (aka Rich Pierce) flints are very good but the last time I checked with Rich, he has had to take a step or two back from making them for various reasons.
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: pathfinder on August 28, 2012, 06:45:04 PM
Quote from: "rickevans"
I am gonna save all that "Sparky Stuff" next time I am in the forge and using the grinder...evidently there may be a market for it!

The first time he said it,I darn near passout from laughing! The gentelman who said it is one of those straight faced guy's you wouldn't expect it from!
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Bison Horn on August 29, 2012, 05:52:01 PM
Quote from: "cb"
The RP (aka Rich Pierce) flints are very good but the last time I checked with Rich, he has had to take a step or two back from making them for various reasons.
Darn hate to hear that cause he has some good flints!
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Catchem on August 29, 2012, 08:33:10 PM
Help straighten me out -

I shoot maybe 25 times with a good flint without problems, I then knap a new edge, but that only lasts maybe 8 or 10 more shots, and then I get nothing, no matter how much I re-knap. My idea is that IF I then take the flint and put a new edge on it by grinding , I will be able to use it for another sequence.

But is it possible to do this, at all? I had hopes that the drill press might open up new possibilities, but as I said initially, I don't know much about drill presses.

Thanks to all for your comments.
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: R.M. on August 29, 2012, 08:39:58 PM
I doubt the DP will have enough speed to make a diamond bit work properly.
Title: Re: renewing the edge of old flints
Post by: Stormrider51 on August 29, 2012, 11:21:59 PM
Something that everyone else has left out is the quality of the lock, and specifically the temper of the frizzen, on your gun.  A too-soft frizzen can allow the flint to bite too deeply.  This results in good sparks for a few shots but also takes the edge off the flint in a hurry.  Then there's also the question of the angle of the flint in the jaws of the cock.  At half cock with the frizzen closed, the flint should ideally just kiss the frizzen about 1/3 of the way down the frizzen face.  It should also not impact at a 90 degree angle but should be angled downward so that it scrapes instead of acting like a hammer driving a nail.  Flint bevel up or bevel down?  Everyone seems to have a preference.  I think it depends on the flint and the lock and goes back to the factors listed above.

Sure, you can re-grind a flint.  But you are going to need a diamond wheel turning at high speed and preferably a water bath to prevent overheating and cracking.  Those rigs aren't cheap.  Far better to learn to knap.  It's really not hard.  Here's something to try.  Check your flint before every shot.  If it is getting dull take a moment to knap a new edge.  Just a little.  Don't go crazy.  Alternate the sides that you knap.  If you knapped from the top this time do it from the bottom next time.  Take the flint out and flip it over in the jaws to knap if necessary.  I'm NOT saying to knap before every shot!  Just check before every shot and knap when necessary.  It is basic part of shooting a flintlock and you will get a feel for it.

Storm