For the Want of a Wire Coat Hanger

[BigSkyRambler]

Like many, if not, most of you, we have gotten rid of all of our wire coat hangers over the years. This has been a mistake. I regularly find myself in need of a long, stiff, but flexible, piece of wire that will hold a tight bend. Today is one of those days. I bought a Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock that had been used in some movie or another. They shot blank loads of some sub, the one that leaves a heavy grey residue, but a shiny bore underneath. So, I'm scrubbing this barrel out with a tight bronze brush and making good progress. Wanted to really get breech scrubbed, so rod went into cordless drill, something I have done many times. This time, the brush head pulled out of the threaded base. Small brushes won't grab it. Patch puller won't grab it. But you know what would grab it? A straightened wire coat hanger with a small hook bent on the end. This makes me crazy, as the bore is cleaning up nicely. A little more work with the Scotchbrite pad strips and it will be good to go. IF I can get that brush head out!

 

[BoomStick]

A short length of electrical wire might work. One copper wire out of a 12 or 14 gauge romex?

 

[ZUG]

I don't know what the caliber of your barrel is but a 5/16" or 3/8" wood dowel with a finishing nail driven in and epoxied in the end and turned into a hook should do what you want it to do.

 

[1950DAVE]

Local thrift store for a coat hanger.

 

[springfield art]

Like many, if not, most of you, we have gotten rid of all of our wire coat hangers over the years. This has been a mistake. I regularly find myself in need of a long, stiff, but flexible, piece of wire that will hold a tight bend. Today is one of those days. I bought a Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock that had been used in some movie or another. They shot blank liads of some sub, the one that leaves a heavy grey residue, but a shiny bore underneath. So I'm scrubbing this barrel out with a tight bronze brush and making good progress. Wanted to really get breech scrubbed, so rod went into cordless drill, something I have done many times. This time, the brush head pulled out of the threaded base. Small brushes won't grab it. Patch puller won't grab it. But you know what would grab it? A straightened wire coat hanger with a small hook bent on the end. This makes me crazy, as the bore is cleaning up nicely. A little more work with the Scotchbrite pad strips and it will be good to go. IF I can get that brush head out!

Ha! I always have one or two, so I'm vindicated!

 

[BigSkyRambler]

I don't know what the caliber of your barrel is but a 5/16" or 3/8" wood dowel with a finishing nail driven in and epoxied in the end and turned into a hook should do what you want it to do.

It is .50. I will look into that.

 

[Ed C.]

Wire coat hangers are almost as useful and versatile as duct tape. Rods for gas welding, hooks, probes, and assorted gadgetry. I used to have hundreds when I was working and getting uniform service. Now they are precious.

 

[springfield art]

Not to mention as "rabbit ears" if you have over-the-air TV!

 

[Commodore Swab]

I went to pull the sd card out of the phone, good luck finding a paperclip!

 

[springfield art]

I went to pull the sd card out of the phone, good luck finding a paperclip!

Staples still has paperclips, and probably many dollar stores.

 

[billraby]

Music wire beats the clothes hangars. And it comes in different sizes.

 

[Frontstuffer070]

Guess you missed that bore brushing thread. Haha, Just messing with you. Don't worry though they are cutting out all the plastic, they started with straws. I fear that since the brush pulled out it may be wedged in there pretty good. Try shooting it out. If that don't work you can get field fence wire. They use it to brace up corner posts on field fences. It may just work. Being from the Big Sky state you probably already know about that wire.

 

[2 shots]

slip over a metal tube

 

[BigSkyRambler]

Guess you missed that bore brushing thread. Haha, Just messing with you. Don't worry though they are cutting out all the plastic, they started with straws. I fear that since the brush pulled out it may be wedged in there pretty good. Try shooting it out. If that don't work you can get field fence wire. They use it to brace up corner posts on field fences. It may just work. Being from the Big Sky state you probably already know about that wire.

Well, I'm actually in Arkansas, but we have fences here, too. I think I have a strand of wire that came off the top of my dog fence. Being a flintlock, I will have to get some penetrating oil around the vent liner. If it was percussion, I would have already shot it out.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Local thrift store for a coat hanger.

Good call. God's Storehouse here in Pulaski is full of them.

 

[Beaverman2]

Best ones re the drapery hangers, you could clamp those in a lincoln buzz box lead and arc weld with them! They are what I make powder horn staples from.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The bore brushes pose a unique challenge for shooting out as the bristles may not adequately seal the bore. A very good method for removal, since it is no longer attached to the rod, is to get a thin walled copper tube that slips into the bore. The brush is jammed into the tube and pulled out.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

I always have a wire coat hanger or two in the truck. I have "strung up" more than a few tail pipes or exhaust systems for other unfortunate drivers.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Commodore Swab]

Music wire beats the clothes hangars. And it comes in different sizes.

Also works for TIG when you need a steel with higher carbon content.

 

[snakebit]

Always had a ton of them before I retired and had my uniforms dry cleaned. But like you said, when you need one, none around.