Few questions

[3D]

How ya cut and square a sxs barrel? What do you fill the area between the rib and barrels with? It'll be hollow when ya cut it right?

I refinished a stock and in the process the checkering lost its depth.  What checkering file should I use to recut? Its an Uberti rifle.

Want to add a sight to a rifle. The sight dovetails in place but has a pivot screw. What type of tap is used for holes that bottom out? Everything I have ever tapped has been drilled all of the way through. Is there a special tap for this?

Where do I  find a file for cutting sight dovetail angles? Used to be a fixture for cutting dovetails by Wheeler Engineering. Is that still made?

Part numbers or links for any of the above would be helpful.

Thanks

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings my dear 3D -

my word you have quite a bit of work ahead of you. since no one else has chimed in I will contribute my two bits.

> How ya cut and square a sxs barrel?

The difficulty as you no doubt have perceived, is that both barrels are tapered. One method is to use a facing cutter attached to a mandrel that fits into the muzzle. It takes a sharp eye to keep the two barrel even.

>What do you fill the area between the rib and barrels with? It'll be hollow when ya cut it right?

Yes, it will be hollow. Professionals fill the area with solder, it is essential to use a solder of a lower melting point than the rib solder, and one must neutralize any acid flux to avoid corrosion. Others of us use high temp epoxy products, I prefer JB Weld.

> I refinished a stock and in the process the checkering lost its depth.  What checkering file should I use to recut? Its an Uberti rifle.

This is a common problem, I use a single line checkering tool to deepen the existing lines.

> Want to add a sight to a rifle. The sight dovetails in place but has a pivot screw.
> What type of tap is used for holes that bottom out? Everything I have ever tapped has been
> drilled all of the way through. Is there a special tap for this?

It is called a bottoming tap.

> Where do I  find a file for cutting sight dovetail angles?

I make my own by grinding 2 sides of a common triangle file.

hope this helps
yhs
prof marvel

[Kent Shootwell]

The Professor has covered your needs well, I'll add just a bit. I file the barrels square by sight with fine results then use soft lead to fill the opening of the ribs. A lead ball flatened to about 1/8" inche then placed over the end can be tapped down to fill the gap then trimed with a knife. I've never had one come loose. I only grind one flat of a triangle file for a safe edge and work slow so the dovetail goes in from the left and always remove from right to left. A couple of $60 junkers I've rebuilt lately, case coloring is my hobby.  Ithica and Remington                           

[Deadeye Dick]

See Brownells out of Montezuma, Iowa for a triangle file for dove tails, checkering tool and other tools.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ppc/default.aspx?mc_id=1000&srch=1&gclid=CJbVmbCnzaMCFQxubAodIk8qvA
Deadeye Dick

[Professor Marvel]

The Professor has covered your needs well, I'll add just a bit. I file the barrels square by sight with fine results then use soft lead to fill the opening of the ribs. A lead ball flatened to about 1/8" inche then placed over the end can be tapped down to fill the gap then trimed with a knife. I've never had one come loose. I only grind one flat of a triangle file for a safe edge and work slow so the dovetail goes in from the left and always remove from right to left. A couple of $60 junkers I've rebuilt lately, case coloring is my hobby.  Ithica and Remington                           

Ah My Dear Shootwell -
Thanks for the kind words, but especially your alternatives!

regarding your "case coloring hobby", from these examples I would say you are doing very nicely! I am just beginning to experiment with this myself,  Have you had any issues with warpage?

yhs
prof marvel,

[3D]

Thanks guys. Great advice.

Really want nice square dovetails so a jig would be nice. I notice Wheeler stopped making the dovetail cutting fixture but found this:

http://www.jedediah-starr.com/closeup.asp?cid=90&pid=918&offset=0

[Kent Shootwell]

Prof. M, I've had little warpage with the old double guns. I anneal them first then polish and refit as needed. I block the tangs and that's about it.

[Professor Marvel]

Prof. M, I've had little warpage with the old double guns. I anneal them first then polish and refit as needed. I block the tangs and that's about it.

Thank you Monsiuer Shootwel - I have seen some individuals stack thinner pieces up with bracer plates, and our good Rifle has reported some occassional distortion with colt open top frames. it seems that large frames are less susceptible than thin pieces such as sideplates and lockplates. prior to jumping in headfirst with both feet and mouth wide open I have been asking those who are actually doing it :-)

yhs
prof marvel

[3D]

I see a number of single line checkering files. Any suggestion as to which one to choose?

3D

[Kent Shootwell]

A DEM-BART checkering handle or two and the DEM-Bart # 1 fine and coarse replacement cutters as well as a S1 cutter will serve to recut most any spaced checkering. Also consider a Gunline jointer tool, it can be helpful to straighten a line that wanders. All can be had from Brownells.