Hilarious - Page 2

old_mikee · March 18, 2010, 08:18 PM

Hello Doc

I am brand new to this forum, and to black powder as well. Matter of fact, today, the UPS truck brought me my first black powder pistol. It is an 1858 New Army Target 44 cal revolver which I purchased from Cabellas a week ago, and I can't wait to take it to the range. (going to need to figure out where to buy powder and caps first)

It's funny, I came to this forum looking to learn a few things about BP pistols, and in reading your post and I thought perhaps i can help you. Hopefully, you won't mind a few suggestions.

You already have a lathe and mill, and your idea of of using a socket as a drive is also sound. You just need to select the right material to make your wrench from.

If i was to do build one using the methods you tried, I would buy some round Oil or Air hardening drill rod (the only difference is on how they harden. I like the Oil hardening better, as I have better control over how hard i want it, but either will do) Its not expensive, and you can order it directly from McMaster Carr. Here's a link: http://www.mcmaster.com/#drill-rods/=6a09eq

You could continue with your method, cutting off a small piece and lathing it to fit the socket, then milling the slot, but then you would need to harden it prior to brazing it into the socket. Brazing would tend to anneal the metal some what more than what you would want, so welding would be a better choice. (If you have to braze, I would quench it immediately)

Or, you could simply mill a hex on the other end of the drill rod to fit an existing socket. This is easy to do, with a 5-C collet and a hexagonal collet block clamped in a mill vise. (doing it this way, you would not need to braze or weld the tool after hardening, just anneal it a little...... it would be very strong and last darn near forever!

I am hoping this helps some, and just for the record, I plan on taking out my nipples to clean as well, so I may end up making my own tool.

Doc Hoy · March 19, 2010, 05:53 AM

First of all, Welcome to the forum. You are gonna love it.

Thanks for the tip on material.

I have some harder stuff. I don't know why I didn't use it.

As the hammer was in downward travel ready to contact the impact wrench I was saying to myself..."This isn't going to work.....That danged steel is soft as butter after the braising operation.....I am going to have a pile of mush went I am finished hitting the wrench....How much time did I spend making this thing"....60 minutes? 90 minutes?"

It was like my life of the last four hours passing before my eyes in a tenth of a second.

The last thing I heard sounded like it was uttered by Redd Foxx growling it into my ear, "You big dummy!"

SwampYankee · March 19, 2010, 06:22 AM

I would also go with the O1 tool steel. For the stock piece you are working with you can probably get a 1" length for $20-30. You can harden it in the back yard with a campfire and a MAPP torch. Peanut oil works very well for the quench. You may want to harden it a couple times before you temper it but it's an easy process. You won't have much luck with 1018 steel, even if you try to harden it you won't get very far.

I also agree with milling a hex on the other end of the wrench. Seems like the simplest approach to me, and if you harden the whole wrench it will hold up to the socket well, without stripping.

Doc Hoy · March 19, 2010, 11:49 AM

Yes....The tool came with some extra bits and the steel is quite hard.

I have not yet checked the size of the bits to make sure I will wind up with enough metal to stand the stress after I do the machining.

I am having fun in the process and hopefully I am learning from the mistakes I am making.

I have completed one career and am now in the middle of my second. It would not be right to start a third but if I were at an earlier point in my life, I know I would enjoy metalworking. There is a lot to learn and I am not foolish enough to think I can learn it all on the side.

So my primary teachers are, a) the mistakes I make, and b) the pointers I am getting from you guys.

I do appreciate it.

Delmar · March 19, 2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

I have completed one career and am now in the middle of my second. It would not be right to start a third but if I were at an earlier point in my life, I know I would enjoy metalworking.

Wow does that story sound familiar. For me, it's not that it would be wrong to start a new career, but would it be practical. I could take out loans and go back to school but the question is, could I pay them back quickly enough that my young wife is not stuck paying after I am gone.

old_mikee · March 19, 2010, 03:47 PM

Doc

Just realized I sent you a link to the wrong page ..... try this one:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#oil-hardene...-steel/=6afhxy

cheers,

Mike

Doc Hoy · March 19, 2010, 03:52 PM

Del,

Yup.

Mikee,

Yup.

Tnx,

herb · March 20, 2010, 12:23 PM

old mikee.... yor're going to love the 1858 piettas you got from cabela's. i have three and wouldn't trade them for the other six 1851 & 1860's i have. only bp that is a little better is roa's.. get a few extra cylinders and a cylinder loading stand ( good one like pietta or deer creek) and shoot to your hearts content.

old_mikee · March 20, 2010, 09:08 PM

Hi Herb

That is really good news, thanks. I did some research and almost all of Cabella's pistols had great reviews. I picked the 1858 because I really liked the physical appearance, the length of the barrel, and have bought from them in the past (clothing, at least and have always been satisfied with their quality).

I went to a local range yesterday and found out they sell black powder, caps and supplies. Need to do some more reading on how to fire this thing, and I am not sure I fully understand your reference to "roa powder". I will take your advice on getting a cylinder reloading stand.

There is lots I need to learn, and I have plenty of questions including getting some advice on buying a bp rifle, but I do not want to hack this mans thread.

Thanks again for your assuring comments.

mike

March 19, 2010, 05:53 AM	#27
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Mikee First of all, Welcome to the forum. You are gonna love it. Thanks for the tip on material. I have some harder stuff. I don't know why I didn't use it. As the hammer was in downward travel ready to contact the impact wrench I was saying to myself..."This isn't going to work.....That danged steel is soft as butter after the braising operation.....I am going to have a pile of mush went I am finished hitting the wrench....How much time did I spend making this thing"....60 minutes? 90 minutes?" It was like my life of the last four hours passing before my eyes in a tenth of a second. The last thing I heard sounded like it was uttered by Redd Foxx growling it into my ear, "You big dummy!" __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 19, 2010, 11:49 AM	#29
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Swamp Yankee Yes....The tool came with some extra bits and the steel is quite hard. I have not yet checked the size of the bits to make sure I will wind up with enough metal to stand the stress after I do the machining. I am having fun in the process and hopefully I am learning from the mistakes I am making. I have completed one career and am now in the middle of my second. It would not be right to start a third but if I were at an earlier point in my life, I know I would enjoy metalworking. There is a lot to learn and I am not foolish enough to think I can learn it all on the side. So my primary teachers are, a) the mistakes I make, and b) the pointers I am getting from you guys. I do appreciate it. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 19, 2010, 03:47 PM	#31
old_mikee Junior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	OPPS Doc Just realized I sent you a link to the wrong page ..... try this one: http://www.mcmaster.com/#oil-hardene...-steel/=6afhxy cheers, Mike

March 19, 2010, 03:52 PM	#32
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Two birds with one stone Del, Yup. Mikee, Yup. Tnx, __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 18, 2010, 08:18 PM	#26
old_mikee Junior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	Hello Doc I am brand new to this forum, and to black powder as well. Matter of fact, today, the UPS truck brought me my first black powder pistol. It is an 1858 New Army Target 44 cal revolver which I purchased from Cabellas a week ago, and I can't wait to take it to the range. (going to need to figure out where to buy powder and caps first) It's funny, I came to this forum looking to learn a few things about BP pistols, and in reading your post and I thought perhaps i can help you. Hopefully, you won't mind a few suggestions. You already have a lathe and mill, and your idea of of using a socket as a drive is also sound. You just need to select the right material to make your wrench from. If i was to do build one using the methods you tried, I would buy some round Oil or Air hardening drill rod (the only difference is on how they harden. I like the Oil hardening better, as I have better control over how hard i want it, but either will do) Its not expensive, and you can order it directly from McMaster Carr. Here's a link: http://www.mcmaster.com/#drill-rods/=6a09eq You could continue with your method, cutting off a small piece and lathing it to fit the socket, then milling the slot, but then you would need to harden it prior to brazing it into the socket. Brazing would tend to anneal the metal some what more than what you would want, so welding would be a better choice. (If you have to braze, I would quench it immediately) Or, you could simply mill a hex on the other end of the drill rod to fit an existing socket. This is easy to do, with a 5-C collet and a hexagonal collet block clamped in a mill vise. (doing it this way, you would not need to braze or weld the tool after hardening, just anneal it a little...... it would be very strong and last darn near forever! I am hoping this helps some, and just for the record, I plan on taking out my nipples to clean as well, so I may end up making my own tool.

March 19, 2010, 06:22 AM	#28
SwampYankee Registration in progress Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: I can be found on a number of other forums. Posts: 1,333	I would also go with the O1 tool steel. For the stock piece you are working with you can probably get a 1" length for $20-30. You can harden it in the back yard with a campfire and a MAPP torch. Peanut oil works very well for the quench. You may want to harden it a couple times before you temper it but it's an easy process. You won't have much luck with 1018 steel, even if you try to harden it you won't get very far. I also agree with milling a hex on the other end of the wrench. Seems like the simplest approach to me, and if you harden the whole wrench it will hold up to the socket well, without stripping.

March 20, 2010, 12:23 PM	#33
herb Member Join Date: February 6, 2010 Posts: 56	old mikee.... yor're going to love the 1858 piettas you got from cabela's. i have three and wouldn't trade them for the other six 1851 & 1860's i have. only bp that is a little better is roa's.. get a few extra cylinders and a cylinder loading stand ( good one like pietta or deer creek) and shoot to your hearts content.

March 20, 2010, 09:08 PM	#34
old_mikee Junior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	Hi Herb That is really good news, thanks. I did some research and almost all of Cabella's pistols had great reviews. I picked the 1858 because I really liked the physical appearance, the length of the barrel, and have bought from them in the past (clothing, at least and have always been satisfied with their quality). I went to a local range yesterday and found out they sell black powder, caps and supplies. Need to do some more reading on how to fire this thing, and I am not sure I fully understand your reference to "roa powder". I will take your advice on getting a cylinder reloading stand. There is lots I need to learn, and I have plenty of questions including getting some advice on buying a bp rifle, but I do not want to hack this mans thread. Thanks again for your assuring comments. mike