Dodged a Bullet Yesterday

[MikeChapin]

I'm building a .32 flinter using a Dixie Ashmore lock. Yesterday I was carving the clearance for the hammer. When I tightened the hammer screw on the tumbler, it snapped in two with a good portion stuck in the tumbler. I was not a happy camper. These locks are not made anymore and I had no idea where to get replacements. Luckily I had another Italian lock hanging around that looked like the same internals.

The plate would not fit the lock inlet - to small in some places, too large in others. I put the tumbler and hammer from the other lock in and it actually worked better. The geometry seems better than the other set up.

This begs the question, what could I do, other than buying another lock that was close? It was just dumb luck that I had the other lock around. Extracting the screw piece would have torn up the tumbler and finding another hammer screw would have been a real treat.

 

[Roy]

I can fix that. :thumbsup: I've been fortunate enough to not only have broken screws, but taps in tumblers. :grin: The biggest thing about using another tumbler is make sure there is no slop causing unwanted wear.

 

[MikeChapin]

It fit great. No slop where it came through the plate. Score one for blind luck.

 

[Roy]

I love when things work out like that. :hatsoff:

 

[Gary]

Certainly a close call and I'm glad to hear you had a hanger queen you could salvage parts from.

 

[mikelange]

Dixie Gun Works still sells replacement #4, #5, and #6 hammer/tumbler screws. I'm not sure which size was used on the Ashmore lock, but you can mail them the piece(s) of the original and a note indicating what kind of lock you have, and they'll set you up.

Myself, I would be inclined to try to (carefully) drill out the stub of screw in the tumbler. The tumbler's hardened, the screw shouldn't be.

 

[Bill Bryan]

I'll take luck over skill every time...!

 

[jethro224]

This begs the question, what could I do, other than buying another lock that was close? It was just dumb luck that I had the other lock around. Extracting the screw piece would have torn up the tumbler and finding another hammer screw would have been a real treat.

Mike,
A guy I work with (auto. mechanic) has a set of left hand drill bits. When he breaks a bolt/screw off in a blind hole he chucks one up and turns his drill to reverse. 8 out of 10 times the bit will catch in the screw/bolt and twist it right out. Once they are broke off the tension is usually relieved so it's just a matter of friction.
The other 2 times it just drills a hole. Then he's stuck using the E-Z outs.
I don't know for sure it would work. Just thinkin' it might. :hmm:
He got the lefty bits from Matco.
Good luck!
Merry Christmas! :hatsoff:

 

[peter]

left hand drill bits are worth their weight in gold. I use them at least once a month. You can get them from tool dealers like snap-on, mac, matco. You could also buy them online for a lot less. Try[url] www.mcmaster.com[/url] . Look under Machining and Clamping.

 

[MikeChapin]

Jethro, thanks for the tip. Never even crossed my mind to use a reversed bit. :hatsoff:

 

[Erzulis boat]

Yep, left handed bits all the way.
Cobalt and carbide, depends on the job.
Works 99 out of 100.
Broken taps? Don't!