Tapping question

[Goldhunter]

I've seen this done on many guns, on the patch boxes, tangs, and toe plates.

How do you start a screw or start a tap to make it so that the slot in the screw or bolt head lines up perpendicular to the barrel?

If this topic is too in depth for a written answer, is there a particular book or video that shows this procedure in great detail?

Thanks

 

[Roy]

If its a bit off, counter sink it a wee bit at a time untill it lines up proper. On side plates sometimes its just inletting a frogs hair more. :thumbsup:

 

[Vaino]

Do you mean parallel w/ the barrel? If so, the depth of the countersink in the metal determines the position of the screw slot. Trying to force a wood screw to "line up" the slot could result in a stripped thread. Whether it's a wood screw or tang bolt screwed into the trigger plate, the screw should be tightened and then the countersink depth is increased to rotate the slot to the desired position......Fred

 

[Goldhunter]

Roger, I meant parallel. :redface: But I've seen some the other way. I think parallel looks cleaner.

Thank for the info. :bow: I didn't even think of adjusting inlet/countersink depth.

 

[Zonie]

If you have a little extra money around, just buy 4 or 5 screws instead of one.
Chanches are that one of the screws will line up just like you want it to.

 

[Goldhunter]

Sounds good. Thanks

 

[George F.]

You can chuck the screw upside down in the drill press and trim the countersink portion with a file too. Some screws when manufactured have a burr on that portion of the screw, and I usually have to file it off anyway, just tought I'd throw that one into the ring........George F.

 

[reddogge]

I just play around with the countersink until it lines up.

I was staying in a condo in FL this winter and the electricians had lined up every screw North and South on every switchplate and outlet in the house. Very impressive and I was probably the only one who noticed it or cared.

 

[RMillet]

There used to be a Guideboat builder up by Long Lake, NY who demanded that every screw in every boat that came out of his shop had the slot parallel to the bottom board. We're talking about 2500+ screws per boat here! I tried on my last boat but gave it up after a couple of hundred.

Dick

 

[sidelock]

I have driven thousands of screws----- and every one for the last 65 yrs have lined up some way or other, including switch plates, door hinges butt plates,etc. Just practice--practice--practice. I don't even have to try any more. My Dad told me when I was very small that a man who wouldn't line up his screws wasen't much of a craftsman,which he sure was. :v