Draw filing a barrel?

[Russell420]

Is it necessary to draw file every new barrel? I've been slowing installing my new Colerain barrel into the stock, but it just occurred to me that maybe I should draw file it first, before it finally drops into the barrel channel. There don't appear to be many, if any, any tool marks and the flats seem flat on the barrel. Should I stop what I'm doing and draw file the barrel? Thanks.

 

[crockett]

I am probably(definately?) not the best person to answer on this but let me ask why you would want to draw file? If you are not careful the file can pick up bits of metal that act like teeth and put scratches into the metal. Another potential problem is rounding off the crisp lines. If you do decide to draw file, consider starting with sand paper pressure glued to a flat mild steel bar-available at any hardware store. You could also make a filing jig to keep the bar flat as you file. I guess 150, 240 to 320 grit would be a fairly common sequence. 320 grit is about it because it will actually brown better than taking the surface down to a finer polish. Another option, probably not the best, is to tape a piece of sand paper to a FLAT work bench and take the barrel to the paper. You can get long rolls of paper(36" plus) designed for belt sanders and use them. Wait for some other responses before proceeding and "make sure you're right-then go ahead." :redthumb:

 

My Colerain barrel had a couple of lengthwise tooling grooves on the top flat. One was about six inches long and I got the nerve up to drag a file across it (draw file) and I'm glad I did because the grooves disappeared and the barrel looks much better as a result. If there hadn't been those major grooved lines I probably would've gotten by with sanding the flats a bit. I did read up on the proper way to file it from that chapter in "Recreating the American Longrifle".

 

[Darkhorse]

Unless Colrain has started finishing the exterior of their barrels for you then you most definitely need to drawfile it. All those little rough lines that run the length of the barrel are tool marks from when the barrel was machined and that is what you are getting rid of. You must both drawfile and then sand with a sanding block. You can sand as fine a finish as you desire but the finer it is the less area there is for the rust to form if you decide to brown the barrel. By that I mean, if browning the barrel then don't sand too fine a finish.
Yes, you need to go ahead and file and sand the barrel before you finish inletting it into the stock. The barrel will be tad smaller after finishing.

 

[Zonie]

I think the decision to draw file, or not to draw file depends totally on the condition of the barrel.
Some barrels have visible tool cutter marks on them, and they should be draw filed or sanded with "wet/dry" silicone carbide (black) paper.
For those interested, the aluminum oxide, flint or garnet paper made for wood will not work well. IMO it will just scratch up the surface and then quit cutting.

I haven't bought one, but I understand Rice barrels all have such a good finish you don't need to do anything to them.
The Colerain I'm working on at the moment had a few rough spots so I did draw file it on the flats which will be exposed.
IMO the flats on the underside (of a full stock rifle) can be left in the "as machined" condition.

If you think you need to draw file your barrel, it is best to do so before you finish the final fit with the wood.

 

[waksupi]

This may have been covered in the past, but I will add it in, anyway.
When draw filing a barrel, use a new mill ******* file. Chalk the file to help avoid pinning by metal shavings.
Draw the file to you, at 90 degrees to the barrel. Don't push it back. That is usually what pins a file.
Try to take full length strokes.
Work with the tail of the file to your left as you draw it to you.
If you pin a file, you can remove the pin with a flattened brass cartridge case, or any scrap brass.
:m2c:

 

[Russell420]

Looked more closely at my barrel and noticed the lines you all were talking about. Finally got one flat filed so that the lines aren't there anymore. Thanks for the info.

 

[Terry Zboril]

Russell,
If you decide to file/polish the barrel, only the two side flats need be done prior to inletting. The top three can be done later. The bottom three can be left "as is", as they will not show,(on a fullstock).
Regards,
Terry