TOTW Screw Kit for Bess

[Artificer]

I searched the forums here a while back and found a post where someone listed a #360-3 bit for the side plate screws and a #360-6 bit for the upper jaw screw. I tried to find the post again today with no luck. I ordered the bits from Brownells and they seem to fit the screws fine. The bit for the side plate screws doesn't go the whole length of the slot but there appears to be enough bearing surface to avoid damage.

That's great!

FWIW, I've often found that a bit that fit the slot precisely as to thickness not only can be not quite the length of the slot, but many times I don't want that. Too easy for the bit to slip out of the slot and mar the surface area around it.

Gus

 

[Louisk]

That's great!

FWIW, I've often found that a bit that fit the slot precisely as to thickness not only can be not quite the length of the slot, but many times I don't want that. Too easy for the bit to slip out of the slot and mar the surface area around it.

Gus

That makes sense. This greenhorn sure appreciates the wealth of knowledge and experience you folks are willing to share here!

 

[earlwb]

I get my screwdriver like tools and bits from Chapman Manufacturing. They made various tool sets for the gun manufacturers over the years too. Made in the USA as well.

One thing to note is you want the ground tip blade on the screwdrivers or bits. Those are less likely to slip out of the screw slot marring or scarring the gun. They tend to call them a gunsmiths screwdriver set. But it is really just nicely ground tip screw drivers. The regular or cheap screwdrivers have a simple wedge shape to their blade tips and that lets them lever out or slide up out of the screw slots on you.

https://chapmanmfg.com/

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
The rear lock and tang bolts on the Pedersoli Bess lock and musket are M6-1.0. The forward lock bolt is smaller and is M5-0.8. Those are metric sizes. One way to make them if you cannot forge the big head is to buy 3/8" hex bolts of sufficient length which have 9/16" diameter heads and turn down the shanks to 6mm (0.23") and 5mm (0.196"). Then use the metric dies to thread them. I do this quite a bit using my wood lathe and files. A metal lathe makes it much easier. You might be able to use a heavy duty hand drill held in a vise to do it but it would be awkward.

dave

 

[FlinterNick]

Negative …. Pedersoli screws are metric not sae. I get my metric dies and bits from grainger.

I would drill and tap the plate for an m6x1 bolt. I’ve done this before on bicentennial Bess’, there’s enough Space for it on the stock too and it won’t hit the rammer. The reason why they used a smaller bolt had something to do with the gun they attempted to copy.

Other option is to tig weld the screw holes and redrill and tap with a 10/32 bolt.

I have a metal lathe but that’s a large screw head. I’d just as soon send one to a local machine shop to copy, they could turn one out fast and accurate.