Underrib question

[Desert Ratxx]

Are the thimbles on an underrib supposed to be inlet a bit so the ramrod lays flush on the rib or are the thimbles mounted on the rib so that there is a small gap between rod an rib? On many of the reproductions (European mass built stuff) I've seen the thimbles are mounted on top, I would think on a custom or semi custom gun they should be inlet. I've seen some pictures of original guns and it looks like they mave have been inlet but it is hard to tell from pictures.

 

Your right on all counts. Rampipes should be filed flat and the rib should be filed flat where the rampipe meets the rib(no more and no less) that way you have no unsightly gap between the rod and the rib. Ribs have a concave trough running the full length for a reason. The rod should run down through that trough and lay in it.
Don

 

[Desert Ratxx]

Rampipes should be filed flat and the rib should be filed flat where the rampipe meets the rib(no more and no less)

After botching this up, Does anyone have a picture of what the final product should look like?

When filing the pipes flat do you actually file away the whole "bottom" of the pipe so it looks like a "c" faced down?

Thanks hopefully the third time is going to be the charm.

 

[davy]

Desert .. sorry no photos ... I am no expert on this .. but from what i have seen its a compromise. You do not want to file too much off the ramrod pipes or you will weaken them ... so I suggest you take about half the distance off both the pipe and the rib ... the idea being to have a flush tite fit for the ramrod .

Remember the reality is that the thimble inlet transition into the forestock should be on a common even level plain with the rib, so if you do not fit the ramrod thimbles flush with the rib ... then the ramrod will actually be torgued and forced into the enty hole at an angle, and so not fitting properly. Just my two cents based on my observations.

Davy

 

The rib flat will probably be wider than the thimble. You want about 3/16's or so to sit on the rib, so you get a good purchase when you solder them on. make sure you tin both surfaces first. If you are soldering the rib to the barrel, that needs to be done first, if screwing or riviting then you can do it before, unless you are hiding them under the thimbles. Hope that made sense. Bill

 

[Desert Ratxx]

You want about 3/16's or so to sit on the rib, so you get a good purchase when you solder them on.

I understand the good purchase but do you mean 3/16's on the bottom or file away the bottom to a "c" with 3/16" overlapping on the rib to get the good purchase?

 

Just a 3/16's flat on the thimble. I guess it would make it look like a C when looked at from the end. Don't file thru the thimble though. Bill

 

[Desert Ratxx]

Gotcha, I have a few days before the new one arrives to keep gathering ideas. What is the best way to file the rib. I mean when filing it flat it will leave a noticible gap between the rib and pipe. I stopped a store while out and about today and looked at the Lyman GPR. it looks like they keep the curve or lips of the rib while still inletting it. Is there a way to do that with simple tools?

 

[Erzulis boat]

The thimbles have a flat filed on the underside, typically 1/2 the thickness of the thimble wall thickness.

The rib has flat allocations for the thimbles that "box them in".

The internal bore of the thimbles are either flush with the concave channel, or a few thousands of an inch above the groove.

I prefer to mount the thimbles about .005" higher than the concave groove as this allows a wooden ramrod that is not perfectly straight to be inserted easily without having to fight any "cattywompus" along the entire groove.

If the ramrod upon insertion can be flexed to "click" between the thimbles, the thimble bore is too high off the deck. Plus, high thimbles are unsightly in my opinion.

 

[Desert Ratxx]

Thank you Erzulis, a picture is worth a thousand words. In my mind it looked bad to have the rib filed flat but I can see by your picture that it looks clean and sharp.

Thanks for everyones help I really apperciate it.

 

Hope you can post some pictures of your rifle when she's all done.

 

[davy]

Excellent Mr. Boat! :hatsoff:

Davy

 

[Desert Ratxx]

If I can talk some more space out of my wife's account I will post pics, but it's not going to be pretty. I'm no expert builder and this rifle has been a pain in my #^*&. I'm not happy with quite a few parts of the stock but want to get the metal right so I can re-stock someday..... a long way from now.