barrel bedding half stock

[dlocke]

I am building a half-stock flinter & had to shim the forestock slightly (near the nosecap) so that my retaining wedge would fit and hold properly. Now I notice some slight side-to-side wiggle. I was thinking od bedding the barrel to the channel by using regular 24-hr cure epoxy with sawdust mixed in. I would keep the epoxy away from the escutcheons and wedge (and grease the wedge just in case) and separate the barrel from the epoxy with saran wrap. I recall seeing a thread here where someone did someting similar. Does my plan seem sound??
DJL

 

[rich pierce]

If you decide that bedding is the answer:
Plastic wrap may burst and then you are locked in completely. With a wedge system through lugs, bedding is not a simple process. I would plug the slot in the lug with a wooden piece and then tape over (strong tape)the lug. I would pack the slot for the wedge full of beeswax till it is jammed full. I'd wax the barrel thoroughly. Every possible nook and cranny needs to be considered.

Period fixes:
Find out where the wedge is relative to the slot in the underlug (high/low?). Then either peen the underlug to tighten the whole affair when the wedge is inserted, or employ a thicker wedge, or solder a shim in the underlug slot.

 

[CrackStock]

Rich has given good advice. I especially endorse the peening of the tenon/lug. However, I would add that modeling clay can be used to fill holes and is a bit easier to get out later.

Just a thought.

CS

 

[dlocke]

I want to avoid bedding. Perhaps if I soldered material to the sides of the underlug and filed it to fit snugly in the underchannel I could fix the side to side movement.
DJL

 

[dlocke]

After sleeping on it, I've decided that the best thing to do would be to remove the shims that I epoxied in and keep inletting. Seems to me that the fact that I could squeeze the gap shut between the barrel and forend indicates that there is a high area further back. If I screw it up, then I guess it'll be time to glass bed.
I'll probably have to peen the lug, though. It will have to go higher, so I'm guessing that the best way it to carefully knock it in with a cold chisel and hammer?
DJL