Vent Liner/ Breach Plug Question

[Oudoceus]

Hello again everyone,
I'm about to the stage in my fusil build where I need to think about drilling for the vent liner. After reading about drilling for the vent liner here it seems that I might ought to remove the breach plug first. Can I use my vise and a Crescent wrench to remove the breach or what?
Walter

 

[jhenry1728]

I'd leave the breach plug and measure the length of the plug to get an idea of where the liner would hit. The liner and vent should be placed on where the pan meets barrel (top of the center of the pan, if you know what I mean). There was a similar thread a couple of weeks back.

 

[agill]

You can use your vise and cresent wrench. Be careful not to contact the top edge of the tang cause you'll damage it. I use some 1/8 inch thick aluminum sheet plates against the vise jaws. I tried using wood, but the aluminum worked alot better. I also use a cheater bar on the wrench for more torque. You can also protect the tang area by using sheet brass or similar pieces in the wrench jaws. Again, be careful not to damage the tang where it will be seen.

 

[J.D.]

I don't know what your level of experience might be in this area, so I will provide the most basic instructions, in the event that you have no experience in barrel work.

First, Accurately locate the face of the plug by measuring the location of the face of the plug with a ramrod placed in The bore. Mark the location of the center of the liner on the outside of the barrel. Mark the line of the top of the pan on the side of the barrel. The intersection of those two lines should form a cross, with the intersecting lines being the center of the TH. Mark the intersection with a center punch, otherwise the drill will wander.

Remove the plug using padded jaws in your vise. Someone suggested aluminum, but brass or a coupla hard wood Vee blocks will do the job too.

Be sure to clamp the barrel in the vise in front of the threaded portion of the breech. Clamping the vise on that threaded portion of the breech will only increase pressure on the plug, making it harder to get out.

Once the plug is removed, drill the barrel with the correct tap drill, thread carefully, measure the thickness of the barrel walls, at the location where the liner will be installed, and file the liner to length. Clean up any burrs on the inside of the liner, install, and check to see if the liner protrudes into the bore. If the liner protrudes into the bore, file with a fine file with the end protected by a coupla wraps of tape, being careful to keep the file off of the threads in the breech.

Polish the end of the liner and bore with 220 and 320 grit paper wrapped on a dowel. Make sure that the end of the liner is as flush with the bore, as possible.

Alternately, a finish nail can be cold forged, filed, and case hardened to form an internal cone. The coning tool is inserted through the drilled TH from the inside, and turned using a variable speed electric drill on slow speed.

Stophel is the expert on internal coning tools, so maybe he will chime in to share his expertise.

Personally, for someone who does not have access to a drill press, and know how to accurately drill and thread precision holes, I suggest using a straight TH, or a TH with an internal cone.

IMHO, a liner can be installed any time after the build is complete, preferably after the existing TH burns out.

God bless

 

[RickD]

wealth of knowledge

 

[Oudoceus]

Thanks again everyone! I did have to remove the breach, several times. It was pretty hard the first time but much easier after a good application of thread grease. Anyway the touch hole did get into the threads of the breach so I had to file a notch to get the powder to the liner and everything looks good. I now have what may be a functioning French style fusil in my possession! Since I've spent beyond my gun allowance for now, it will be next payday before I can get powder, flints, and lead. Then I will be able to see if it actually is a functioning gun. I am confident now though that I can readily fix any problems. Although, if you look close you can tell it is not a professional build, I am pretty satisfied with my first attempt. You guys helped make it happen! I am so glad I had this resourse to turn to. My significant other, Cassie, who incidently financed much of this project, secretly had her doubts that I was up to the build when she saw the parts set upon arrival. She actually referred to the finished gun as a beautiful work of art! Thanks again.
Walter