Loading Block
- Thread starter Archie
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- Joined
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I had trouble finding that particular bit and settled on 17/32, as I recall. It requires a tiny bit of relieving with a rat tail or sandpaper around a dowel, but in my experience a little too tight is better than a little too loose. With differences in patch thickness here and there, that could be an issue.
Long and short, if 35/64 is hard to come up with, drop down one and you'll still be fine. Even with the 35/64, you'd ideally need to do a little smoothing inside and your patch/ball would still be tight enough to avoid pop outs.
Long and short, if 35/64 is hard to come up with, drop down one and you'll still be fine. Even with the 35/64, you'd ideally need to do a little smoothing inside and your patch/ball would still be tight enough to avoid pop outs.
I make mine out of two thick pieces of boot sole glued together rather than wood. I can deal with them being a little over sized. The down side is that after a couple of days the lube leaches into the leather and needs to be relubed. I make mine 5 shot like the 5 on a die! Geo. T.
I stopped by fastenal to satisfy my need for immidiate gratification. The shelves held a 17/32(34/64") and a 9/16" (36/64") but, alas no prize. When I asked about looking for a 35/64" bit the kid looked like I asked for a bigfoot hide. So I went to work and tried the shops 9/16" bit on a chunk of oak pallet and it seemed to hold a dry patched ball ok for the few seconds I had to spare. I don't know how it will do in the long term but it looks like a possible solution. There are 35/64" bits available on the net but shipping might be a deal killer. I will continue my quest at a later date.
Try a couple coats of a poly urethane varnish to add a little thickness to the hole, :idunno:
The sealed wood is less likley to pull any lube out of the fabric.
The sealed wood is less likley to pull any lube out of the fabric.
I use a penknife blade and, occasionally, finish up with a chainsaw file. This isn't rocket surgery. Blocks were made by guys without powertools, drill bits or adequate lighting. ;-)
Nice gear by the way.
necchi said:
Poly finish? :shocked2: Heresy. :wink:
For the hole I rub beeswax on the inside of the hole.
Loading blocks are fun and easy to make. I make from scrap wood in my shop and odd size left over hunks of antler.
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I found a 35/64" bit on Amazon. Not cheap but I plan on making several loading blocks for the .54.....eventually.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AHSVSA
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AHSVSA
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You can always buy a just under size drill bit you need if you cannot find the needed size, get a really fine round file, a bottle of Makers Mark, build a fire in the fire place and slowly open up the block on a rainy afternoon.
Why hurry?
Why hurry?
B.Habermehl
45 Cal.
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When I was making loading blocks for my trade blanket I used the flat speed bore bits, and filed them down to get the finished dia hole I needed. In this case a 9/16 bit, (.562) filed down to about .550. Drill some scrap and try your patch and ball combo for fit. If too loose file about .002 from each side and drill another hole. Repete untill you get the fit you want. Check each filing step with dial calipers. BJH
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B.Habermehl said:
That's dandy! Thanks. :thumbsup:
Looking good! Jobillo? Not familiar with that but it looks great.
I have made them out of everything from pine to purpleheart and it all works.
I have made them out of everything from pine to purpleheart and it all works.
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