Drilling/Tapping a Nickle Plated Revolver

Bomberman · November 30, 2010, 03:34 PM

First post here...I have a nickle plated S&W Model 29-2 (1979) that I want to put a scope on for hunting. (I know, I shouldn't do it but it's my gun and I want to.) Anyway, are there any gremlins waiting for me, (other than the usual working with steel ones) because it's plated...I've never drilled into a plated anything.

I have done the drill/tap thing before on a revolver and a rifle so I'm familiar with the process...just curious about the plating and any precautions I should take.

Thanks in advance.
Chuck

Dfariswheel · November 30, 2010, 07:22 PM

In order to prevent any chipping or flaking at the drill site, use a rounded point carbide cutter or pointed stone in a drill press to remove the plating down to bare steel at each drill point. The spots where the plating is removed should be about the same size as the drill to be used.
This will prevent the drill from catching and flaking off a larger spot of the plating.

Then use a center punch to mark the drill spots to start the drill properly.

Bomberman · December 1, 2010, 06:30 AM

Dfariswheel,
Thanks for the response...that is what I was looking for and it makes perfect sense. I really appreciated it.

November 30, 2010, 03:34 PM	#1
Bomberman Junior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7	Drilling/Tapping a Nickle Plated Revolver First post here...I have a nickle plated S&W Model 29-2 (1979) that I want to put a scope on for hunting. (I know, I shouldn't do it but it's my gun and I want to.) Anyway, are there any gremlins waiting for me, (other than the usual working with steel ones) because it's plated...I've never drilled into a plated anything. I have done the drill/tap thing before on a revolver and a rifle so I'm familiar with the process...just curious about the plating and any precautions I should take. Thanks in advance. Chuck

December 1, 2010, 06:30 AM	#3
Bomberman Junior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7	Dfariswheel, Thanks for the response...that is what I was looking for and it makes perfect sense. I really appreciated it. __________________ Chuck The 2nd amendment was never intended to allow private citizens to 'keep and bear arms.' If it had, there would have been wording such as 'the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. -Ken Konecki, July 27, 1992

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November 30, 2010, 07:22 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	In order to prevent any chipping or flaking at the drill site, use a rounded point carbide cutter or pointed stone in a drill press to remove the plating down to bare steel at each drill point. The spots where the plating is removed should be about the same size as the drill to be used. This will prevent the drill from catching and flaking off a larger spot of the plating. Then use a center punch to mark the drill spots to start the drill properly.