Filing helper

[flashpanner]

Does anyone cheat when filing by using a steady rest to hold the tang end? Let me give short, and hopefully, clear description.
I find a block or a stack that is the same height of the finished dovetail at the bottom. I support the tang end on the block stack and use it to help hold the file parallel. I tape the underside of the file that rests on just the stack so as not to ruin the file teeth or file on the stack. I then file across the barrel. Have used this method for the barrel lugs. Works fine, helps me from getting a buggered up, sloppy fitting dovetail.

 

[John Taylor]

Nice trick. I prefer to use a milling machine but then not everyone has one. Another thing that helps with filing on a barrel is to use a barrel spinner when draw filing. This has a center to go in each end of the barrel which have bearings to let the barrel spin for polishing round barrels. Works great for draw filing because the flats of the barrel will always stay flat on the file. Breach plug needs to be out.

 

[54JNoll]

Up to this point I have simply used a micrometer to measure the desired depth and then a straight edge and scribe to scribe a line one both sides of the barrel. I use these scribe lines to keep me flat and level.