underlug dovetail too big

[fosters]

Well I went 2 for 3. Got the 1st two underlugs set in the barrel dovetails without incident and proceeded to go to the 3rd. Well when I went to "freshen" my dovetail, I over freshened. Now the underlug slides out with just a tiny about of presure.

I tried to peen the top edge of the dovetail to make it fit better, but basically I just dinged up my barrel. How about just soldering it in place? Anyone see a problem with that? I can't imagine ever having to remove it. Your thoughts?

fosters

 

[crockett]

If you put a thin metal sheet in the bottom of the dovetail (aluminum foil, even paper) that may solve the problem.

 

[Birddog6]

Put it in, stake it with a centerpunch 4-6 places & go on. I stake all of mine, even if they are tight.

Keith Lisle

 

[fosters]

Ah, both excellent suggestions! Didn't think about a shim. Also was trying to use my pin punch to peen/stake it in place not my center punch, duh! Sometimes I can't see the forest through the trees.

Oh, speaking of underlugs any trick to inletting them? I've read that some people file the corners off to make them easier to inlet. I guess the right angles are hard to do?

Many Thanks
fosters

 

[kaintuck]

i like to use the brass underlugs....they will 'mush' better in the filed slots~ and they look cool on the barrel :grin:

no trick to it...just filefilefile till the slot is good, then tap it in, then punch stake it~ next......

 

[Bill Hall]

If you look closely at corners of the female dovetail (the cut in the barrel), you'll see that you can't get the corners as sharp as the corners on the male dovetail (lug, sight, etc). So with that in mind, I always round off the corners of the male piece to match the female cut. I just round it off a hair, mind you, with 220 grit paper. You can get the sight or lug in there without rounding off the corners, but it makes for a little harder start, and the intial install is pretty tight.

Also, when you think you got it, oil up both parts before attemping to install. Sure helps. Bill

 

[fosters]

Got out my center punch when I got home from work,and a couple taps and the lug is nice and snug. I wished I thought of that before I tried my larger pin punch. Now I have some filing to do.

I actually bought a set of brass ones, but decided to go with the machined steel because they were really close to the pre-cut dovetail. I do think the brass looks cool and it is certainly easier to work with for me.

Rounding the corners also would have made the fitting way easier. I'll definitly remember that on the next build.

Awesome tips everyone. Should have asked 1st!

Well hopefully tomorrow I'll inlet them into the barrel channel. If I can figure out how to post picts I'll show you how the gun is coming along so far if anyone is interested.

Thanks again
fosters

 

[Lock Nut]

Also, an easy non-traditional fix to a loose fitting lug is to thoroughly clean both surfaces with alcohol and use a little JB weld on it. It mixes up like epoxy and it won't come loose.

 

[Staggerwing]

One other trick is to turn the lug upside down in a vise and flatten it out some with a hammer. Sounds like you got it peened in though.

 

[Birddog6]

Oh, speaking of underlugs any trick to inletting them? I've read that some people file the corners off to make them easier to inlet. I guess the right angles are hard to do?

Many Thanks
fosters

I put inletting black on the bottom of the underlug & carefully put the barrel in the inlet & press down & mark the stock. Then remove the barrel & inlet each underlug, repeatedly re-blackening the underlugs & inletting them til they no longer mark the underlug inlet. Remember if the base is not level with the barrel flat when finished, you will have to cut a small inlet for the base in the wood to compensate for that.

Most underlugs you buy are a tad thick for my preference, so I thin them to about .030 to .040 base thickness. (Unless it is a sling support, then I leave it thick)

I usually make the underlugs not as tall as they come factory made, as I don't like them showing thru the RR groove. So I file or grind off a tad of the top of the underlug.

I round or bevel off the corners of the underlug as well, After I have inlet them. If I don't I continuously snag & sometimes cut my hand on them. Beveling or rounding of that sharp corner helps as I will have the barrel in & out of the stock many times during the build.

Keith Lisle

 

[MSW]

Kieth- thanks for the post(s) ... you've always got good ideas!

 

[DUSTY 14]

the last few file strokes off the lug or the sight or whatever is off the lug not the barrel. if you really mess up now you need a $2.oo part not a $200.00 dollar barrel

 

[Eric Krewson]

I made a similar goof-up the other day, my solution, solder paste from Lowe's. My lug isn't moving.

 

[fosters]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I was so excited when I got home and peened in the offending lug. Worked great with the center punch, and I got all three lugs in tight and filed to the contour of the barrel. I was living large, then the other shoe fell.

After re-reading the section on underlugs in my various guide books, I see a side note in one saying "it is easier to inlet them one at a time instead of all at once." Depression then set in, especially after seeing Keith's response as well. So out had to come 2 of the lugs. I hope I can get them back in. They got somewhat deformed when I "tapped" them in place and filed to the barrel flat.

So I'm going to start with the rear one 1st. and work toward the muzzle. Is there a trick to make sure the breech area is tight? My barrel channel inlet is very tight and usually I have to tap the muzzle to get the breech area to have full contact. I see this being a problem for black transfer for the lug position. Any thoughts?

Thanks to all again,
fosters

 

[Black Hand]

One other trick is to turn the lug upside down in a vise and flatten it out some with a hammer. Sounds like you got it peened in though.

Turn it up-side down in the vice and use your prick-punch to make numerous dimples in the metal. This works much like a shim without needing to mess with another piece of metal. A cold chisel used perpendicular can be used to "stretch" a piece of metal like an underlug.

 

[jdkerstetter]

After re-reading the section on underlugs in my various guide books, I see a side note in one saying "it is easier to inlet them one at a time instead of all at once." Depression then set in, especially after seeing Keith's response as well. So out had to come 2 of the lugs. I hope I can get them back in. They got somewhat deformed when I "tapped" them in place and filed to the barrel flat.

You removed them because one book said it's easier to inlet them one at a time???? Easier doesn't mean that's necessarily the only way to do it. Wish you had asked first. I'd wager that most builders intall all the lugs and inlet as you were on track to do. It appears you just caused yourself unnecessary work and aggravation. :shake:

In fact, I would argue with the "opinion" of the author of that particular book. J.D.

 

[Black Hand]

After re-reading the section on underlugs in my various guide books, I see a side note in one saying "it is easier to inlet them one at a time instead of all at once." Depression then set in, especially after seeing Keith's response as well. So out had to come 2 of the lugs. I hope I can get them back in. They got somewhat deformed when I "tapped" them in place and filed to the barrel flat.

You removed them because one book said it's easier to inlet them one at a time???? Easier doesn't mean that's necessarily the only way to do it. Wish you had asked first. I'd wager that most builders intall all the lugs and inlet as you were on track to do. It appears you just caused yourself unnecessary work and aggravation. :shake:

In fact, I would argue with the "opinion" of the author of that particular book. J.D.

I leave ALL the lugs attached and inlet them. Less messing around.

 

[Birddog6]

It is Very Important the breech stay flush in the inlet all the time.

Once I put an underlug in the barrel, it stays.

I inlet all 3-4 underlugs at one time. Press them to mark them, remove barrel, cut down about 1/8", repeat blackening the bottoms of the lugs & barrel back in & then out, recut inlets, repeat.

Keith Lisle

 

[jdkerstetter]

.....I see a side note in one saying "it is easier to inlet them one at a time instead of all at once."

I'm curious, which book is that in? Save me from looking through them all. Sorry it caused you more work....maybe we can save somebody else from making the same mistake. Thanks, J.D.

 

[fosters]

Your right, should have asked. It kind of made sense to me though the other night. Instead for messing around with all 3 at once to get them to the correct depth, just do one at a time so I would know which one was too high. Of course now re-thinking it, the inlet black would do the same thing. Live and learn.

fosters