More Smoothbore Maintenance / Sear Spring Broke

[Ohio Joe]

I discovered I had a weak Sear Spring when shooting my smoothbore at Rendezvous, so tonight rather then ordering one, I took the old one off the lock (which it promptly broke) but not a big deal at all as I had some metal strapping that's used to bundle wood posts, so I simply made and fitted a new one. It works good. In fact, I think it works better as I believe the strapping I used is of better material then the original on the Lott Lock.

In any event, I'm back in "smoothbore" business you might say. And it didn't cost me a penny! 

 

[rollingb]

I discovered I had a weak Sear Spring when shooting my smoothbore at Rendezvous, so tonight rather then ordering one, I took the old one off the lock (which it promptly broke) but not a big deal at all as I had some metal strapping that's used to bundle wood posts, so I simply made and fitted a new one. It works good. In fact, I think it works better as I believe the strapping I used is of better material then the original on the Lott Lock.

In any event, I'm back in "smoothbore" business you might say. And it didn't cost me a penny! 

That sounds like a "bargain" to me. 

[Ohio Joe]

I discovered I had a weak Sear Spring when shooting my smoothbore at Rendezvous, so tonight rather then ordering one, I took the old one off the lock (which it promptly broke) but not a big deal at all as I had some metal strapping that's used to bundle wood posts, so I simply made and fitted a new one. It works good. In fact, I think it works better as I believe the strapping I used is of better material then the original on the Lott Lock.

In any event, I'm back in "smoothbore" business you might say. And it didn't cost me a penny! 

That sounds like a "bargain" to me. 

 

I've always said to myself, "if I can make the part - I'd rather do that then buy it." And it's good experience. 

[Winter Hawk]

Details!  Did you anneal the strapping first?  How did you cut & form it?  If you annealed it, I guess you would have tempered it again - oil quench?  Inquiring minds need to know! At any rate, it sounds like another great home remedy to me! 

~Kees~

[Ohio Joe]

Details!  Did you anneal the strapping first?  How did you cut & form it?  If you annealed it, I guess you would have tempered it again - oil quench?  Inquiring minds need to know! At any rate, it sounds like another great home remedy to me! 

~Kees~

I didn't anneal it as it's "springy" enough the way the strapping is. I just cut it with shears and dremal tool and some file work / bend it into shape avoiding making any "sharp" tight bends, and since it doesn't take much to push the sear into place at both half and full cock, it's working fine. Even made a spare one tonight when I got home,,, just in case. So far all is working good. I've used this metal before to repair springs in the old time skeleton key door locks. Naturally the true test will be Range use and time.    I'll post some pictures tonight.

[Ohio Joe]

I Made and fit another sear spring tonight - just in case. I now have 2 spare sear springs to carry with me in my shooting bag if I should need one (or two)... It's good practice. 

[Uncle Russ]

  Joe, Joe, Joe, building, repairing, tinkering in the shop, your name should have been "Tinker Bell".
In all the years I've known you you have never slowed down, not even a little bit.
Wish I could find the time in a day to do even one-half the things you do! 

It's about 2 pm here as I write this, and hotter than the shades of Hades outside.
Wildfires all around us, the Rifle Range has been closed due to "Fire Hazard" since the first part of July and, although the A/C is on in the shop, you'd never know it.
Less than six weeks ago everybody was wondering if summer would ever get here.
She came in like a charging Lion and she ain't let up, not even a little bit. I expect water rationing to come into play pretty soon as the snow on the mountains is getting higher and higher up the mountains, the first part of June was all about flooding, now we're wondering if we will have enough water....

When it gets like this a short nap seems in order, and I do that best in my old recliner.
Guess where I'm headed? 
But, before I do that I wanted to say what a nice job you do with your "tinkering".
You hang in there brother, you're going to really enjoy that retirement when it gets here. 

Uncle Russ....

[Ohio Joe]

you're going to really enjoy that retirement when it gets here.

I will, I can't wait to start tinkering even more!   

Russ my friend, thank you for the kind words. I do enjoy my little projects, especially the ones that I can say to myself; "if they could do this over 200 years ago, there's no reason I can't do it today."

Sure, some of the "hidden" materials and techniques my not be exactly the same as they were over 200 years ago, it's that workable end result I'm chasing - so to speak.

It's really hot here as well right now, so no workshop time until evening (if it cools down). Sure hope you get some relief from that heat out there. 

[Maven]

Nice job, Joe!   How about posting a tutorial on how you accomplished it, as I'm most interested?

[Ohio Joe]

Nice job, Joe!   How about posting a tutorial on how you accomplished it, as I'm most interested?

Thank you Maven.

I don't know how good I'd be at posting a tutorial. I just kinda look at the project (like this Sear Spring) and jump in with what materials and tools I think I'll need - and just do it.  I think anyone could make and fit one of these if they needed to. All that's needed is that spring strapping, scratch awl, good hand metal shears, dremel w/ metal cutting wheel, small needle-nose pliers, measuring stick, and a 1/8" metal rod to make bends around it, as well as a bench vise. I would say to always try and avoid making sharp bends in the metal as that IMHO creates the start of a weak spot where a break could, and usually does appear. 

[ridjrunr]

I like your mindset Joe! Thats one of those things I have yet to mess with, springs. But it looks to me like you done it up right! Thanks for sharing this.

[Ohio Joe]

Thank you ridjrunr.