Filler for oversized trigger guard inlet

[ChuckJonesWagon]

Not to throw the thread off subject, but here's a few pics of my soon to be pistol TG that I'm making out of sheet brass.

In the bottom two pics you can see the broken cast brass (not really brass....some kind of junk metal. It snapped like a string bean at the narrow point and had casting voids of 50% in that spot!).

Well, I can at least use it for a model to follow. The upper left pic shows where I wrapped the cut out shape of brass(annealed of course) around the hardwood "anvil" that I shaped from leftover maple. The upper right shows some rough cleanup of that piece.

The two lower pics show the "lollipop"which I will (using brass color silver solder) solder onto the main piece so it will look like the broken piece. Once I solder that lollipop on I'll bend it to be the front extension of the TG. Then once bent I'll solder on a tab to pin in the pistol.

The rear tail I have yet to make, but once I do that I'll brass solder it to the rear of the main piece.

Once all that's done I'll file\sand\polish it to my finish shape.

I know it's somewhat easier to buy a TG. But my recent experiences with cast brass have not been good. So, I'll just take the time to make one. Besides, then I can "brag" to my shooting buddies that I did it.

 

[wiscoaster]

Not to throw the thread off subject.....

Actually, I think it's interesting and instructive enough to be well worthy of its own thread.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

Actually, I think it's interesting and instructive enough to be well worthy of its own thread.

I can do that. Full disclosure….I got most of the step by step process from a tutorial on ALR. Some of the steps I’ve modified as I didn’t think they were necessary.

 

[Old-Duckman]

You make a valid point. It wasn't until recently I "dove into" silver soldering. It wasn't really expensive to do this. I bought my supples from Rio Grande.

The materials I use are:
--Mapp gas torch. Pick this up at your local hardware. Amazon will ship you two for $38. You can use an existing propane screw on torch head
--8-feet Silver Solder 20ga. hard $19.
--Grifflux flux. $22. You have to have flux for Silver Solder or your wasting your time.
--Acetone. Clean all parts that are going to be soldered with Acetone....or again, you're wasting your time.

So, depending upon what you may already have, you could do this for under $60. Up to just over $100 if you don't have anything.

It's not all that difficult.....believe me....if I can do it, anyone can do it. And once you figure out how to silver solder, you will find other stuff that you will use this on.

Why would you recommend hard silver solder? I taught jewelry making and metal smithing for over 15 years, easy would be more than adequate and much easier (no pun intended) to use/flow. And a better color match to boot. The lower the melting temperature the less silver in it thus the lower melting temperature silver solder is more yellow than the harder grades.

 

[Dude]

Good discussion! I've done a lot of soldering, but no silver soldering. Keep posting - I want to know more.

 

[oreclan]

Yes, if a person has expertise and tools to do that. Not all kit builders do. Jim, honestly, often times I think your advice doesn't adequately take into account the differing levels of ability to execute the remedies you recommend. In this case, based on the questions asked by the OP, I think one has to assume some "beginner" level, and I don't think you did that in your response. The best method per your expertise and experience may not be best suited as best remedy for the beginner-level remedy to be applied to the OP's problem in need of remediation.

While the advice of the master builders present on the forum may be recognized and accepted as the best advice for addressing a given problem, it's been my observation that the best advice is not always the most suitable advice, if it's not advice the novice builder can execute, then it's not particularly helpful in being useful advice for that builder.

You shouldn't assume that a person is not capable of learning a skill to accomplish a task. Some new people just need a challenge to improve. The best solution to a problem should be recommended; it is up to the person asking for advice to either adopt or adapt some variation of that advice.
A challenge can be a good learning experience.

 

[oreclan]

You shouldn't assume that a person is not capable of learning a skill to accomplish a task. Some new people just need a challenge to improve. The best solution to a problem should be recommended; it is up to the person asking for advice to either adopt or adapt some variation of that advice.
A challenge can be a good learning experience.

I personally would inlet a matching piece of wood, file and sand it flush, and stain it to match .
I have done this successfully several times.

 

[wiscoaster]

You shouldn't assume that a person is not capable of learning a skill to accomplish a task. Some new people just need a challenge to improve. The best solution to a problem should be recommended; it is up to the person asking for advice to either adopt or adapt some variation of that advice.
A challenge can be a good learning experience.

I don't think I did assume that he wasn't capable, but point taken.