I need a touch-hole pick and at least a screwdriver made for the jaw screw. Any ideas about where to buy or DIY from around the home shop?
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- Thread starter Pilgrim
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Touchhole pick is some piano wire of the correct thickness. Cut a 4" piece and epoxy into a handle.
The correct flat driver is kind of another matter. People get serious about what screwdrivers they use on the flats of their guns. I'd throw a caliper on it to get the exact dimensions and the easy button is a Grace driver from Brownells. Truth be told if you buy one of their Magnatip sets, or even one of the Wheeler sets there is probably one in there that's exact. The Wheeler set I have is kinda cheap, but there's probably thirty flat head drivers and I can usually find one that fits tight. If I can't I'll buy the correct Grace Driver. The maxim is that good enough is a fail. You want the tip touching the base, and the sides tight or get one that fits. Nothing worse than buggered up flat screws on a gun. The worst.
The correct flat driver is kind of another matter. People get serious about what screwdrivers they use on the flats of their guns. I'd throw a caliper on it to get the exact dimensions and the easy button is a Grace driver from Brownells. Truth be told if you buy one of their Magnatip sets, or even one of the Wheeler sets there is probably one in there that's exact. The Wheeler set I have is kinda cheap, but there's probably thirty flat head drivers and I can usually find one that fits tight. If I can't I'll buy the correct Grace Driver. The maxim is that good enough is a fail. You want the tip touching the base, and the sides tight or get one that fits. Nothing worse than buggered up flat screws on a gun. The worst.
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Check this forum and look for thread on turn screws. I have 3 available now.
Wow. Them are fancy.
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Grind or file an existing screwdriver to the specs you want. (Old-timey handle, of course!) A pick is nothing but a thin wire or rod you can bend into what ever shape you want; loop for a lanyard, or whatever. No need to buy either of these needed items!
I second this! The best kind of tools are the ones you make for yourself
Thanks, everyone. Great advice and it is appreciated more than you may know.
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BTW, the magazine Muzzleloader has a regular columnist feature, I believe it's T.C. Albert, who does a ML related craft project every issue. It's fun to see how he does things, and makes it seem so easy & encouraging to the readers.
Ditt44
40 Cal
I have used a larger/heavier paper clip for decades. It is wrapped around my pan charger lanyard. Works great. For the jaw screw, a small hex shaped 'screw driver' that my grandfather gave me in the early 90s. Much easier than a flat head because my top screw has a hole in it. That little hex shaft fits right through there and is much easier to manipulate and no skipping off and scratching metal or wood.
Cruzatte
50 Cal.
Much depends on whether or not you want something that looks of the period, or is purely functional. For purely functional purposes, take a paperclip and straighten it out a bit. That works magnificently as a vent pick.
A screwdriver can be ground or filed down to fit the cock jaw screw and side plate screws. You'll probably need one for each. I do. For serious work get a gunsmith screwdriver set from Brownell's or Amazon like the Chapman set.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
You can remedy both needs by repurposing materials you surely already have.
Redmoon
40 Cal
Banjoman
Hillbilly
Here’s some homemade accoutrements.
On the left is a vent pick made from a piece of paper clip glued into a wooden dowel which was turned using a cordless drill, a file and some sand paper.
In the middle is a turn screw forged from a piece of scrap steel rod. Filed the blade to match cock screw of a Fusil de Chasse. It’s rough but works just fine.
On the right is a powder/shot measure of ~65 grains made from a piece of bamboo from a scarecrow Halloween decoration.
And yes, I use all of these.
On the left is a vent pick made from a piece of paper clip glued into a wooden dowel which was turned using a cordless drill, a file and some sand paper.
In the middle is a turn screw forged from a piece of scrap steel rod. Filed the blade to match cock screw of a Fusil de Chasse. It’s rough but works just fine.
On the right is a powder/shot measure of ~65 grains made from a piece of bamboo from a scarecrow Halloween decoration.
And yes, I use all of these.
Cabin Creek has really good ones.
