vent liner question/problem?

[TinStar]

Drilled and tapped for the vent liner (1/4-28) that came with my parts set. Drilling and tapping went very smoothly. Screwing in the liner I noticed that it went in easily. No wobble; just easy and I thought a little odd. When filing it to proper length it filed very easy too. I had a hunch it was aluminum from the get-go so I checked it with a strong magnet and sure enough it is.
I just don't feel good about an aluminum liner next to a powder charge so I am ordering a steel line; or stainless steel.

Do you gents use any kind of Loc-tite on your liners? Do they screw in as easily as mine did?

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[tallbear]

Tin Star
When I use a liner instead of an internal cone I only use Jim Chambers Stainless liners.I can screw them in by hand and then tighten slightly with a vicegrip.I put antisieze on the threads as I've had to replace them a couple of times.

Mitch

 

[ebiggs1]

I never heard of an aluminum touch hole liner but that's not to say there aren't any. Can't imagine it but, what the hey? :hmm:
I would NEVER think of using Loc-tite on mine as I use the opposite. A good anti-seize because I remove the liner every time I clean the gun.
Yes, the liner screws in and out very easily. :thumbsup:

 

[Vaino]

Some stainless steels are fairly soft and are non-magnetic. Don't think it's aluminum. W/ a screw in removable liner, I don't run the tap in to full dia.....the resultant partial threads "stop" and seal the liner. No sealant is req'd....Fred

 

[TinStar]

So; from what all you fine gents tell me is:

The vent is likely a soft type of stainless.

Don't use Loc-tite

And liners do screw in and out very easily.

Sould I use a puch to "set" the liner like Turpin does in his video on building?

By the way; thanks much for the speedy replies!!!

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Tin Star
When I use a liner instead of an internal cone I only use Jim Chambers Stainless liners.I can screw them in by hand and then tighten slightly with a vicegrip.I put antisieze on the threads as I've had to replace them a couple of times.

Mitch

:thumbsup:

Just recieved my full set of internal vent coneing tools from Tom Snyder, truly magnificent tools.

 

[Zonie]

I can't imagine anyone who knows anything at all about black powder using aluminum to make a vent liner.
That doesn't rule out that someone might have done it but if the liner came from a reputable muzzleloading supply house it isn't aluminum.

As was mentioned one type of stainless steel is non-magnetic and usually relatively soft.
It will work fine for a vent liner because it is highly resistant to heat and corrosive gasses.

 

[TinStar]

Thank you Zonie for your input

I never came across a soft type of stainless. Now I know better.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[Zonie]

Well, there's soft and there's soft.

The 300 series stainless is non-magnetic and in its common form it is fairly soft.
Not as soft as aluminum, tin or lead. Maybe about the same hardness as brass.

If the threads on a 300 series stainless vent liner are cut with a die or on a lathe with a cutting tool the liner will remain soft.

If the threads are rolled on the material it will be much harder and stronger.

Rolled threads are formed by squeezing specially formed rollers into the rotating stock which creates the threads by extruding and displacing the material from the open V's in the threads.

300 series stainless steels will "work harden" fairly easily so this process makes a much more durable fastener.

As we do not need this extra strength and hardness for our vent liners they will work fine in their soft condition.

If your vent liner seems to be much softer than brass I suggest that you send away for one that you are sure of the material.
Track of the Wolf has them in 1/4-28 thread sizes for a pretty low cost.

 

[TinStar]

In a PM with flehto he mentioned also that the liner and tap I used are likely at the opposite ends of the tolerance and therefore the liner would go in very easily. So I have ordered two from Dixie Gunworks that are from a different manufacturer as they have a shoulder on them and mine did not.

Zonie; I would say mine liner appears to be as soft as brass.
I looked a MBS and they were out of stock on shouldered liners.

I looked for Ampco bronze liners but could not find any.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[Pigslayer]

In a PM with flehto he mentioned also that the liner and tap I used are likely at the opposite ends of the tolerance and therefore the liner would go in very easily. So I have ordered two from Dixie Gunworks that are from a different manufacturer as they have a shoulder on them and mine did not.

Zonie; I would say mine liner appears to be as soft as brass.
I looked a MBS and they were out of stock on shouldered liners.

I looked for Ampco bronze liners but could not find any.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

I buy mine from either Dixie or Track Of The Wolf with a shoulder also.I put a slight chamfer on the threads in the barrel giving the shoulder of the vent an area to seat to. Then I file it flush.
Never saw a Stainless Steel that was magnetic.