- Joined
- Mar 15, 2019
- Messages
- 708
A while back, probably 10 years ago at least, I picked up a Stevens Favorite Model 30 in .17HMR for super cheap. It was NIB but had been damaged in shipping which is why I got it for $50. The butt stock is cracked and has a piece missing by the receiver tang on the top. I already have a piece of wood, quilted maple to make a stock and forend for it. Plan was to put a tang sight on it and make it kind of a miniature buffalo rifle. Practical? Not really. Useful? Likely not. Cool as all get out? Most definitely.
The bigger problem is the hammer will only stay cocked some of the time and when it does the trigger pull is ounces. It isn't safe at all so I have never even fired the rifle. I bought it and set it aside to be a project for when I had more time. Well, after the kids came along time was short but now I seem to have more of it with the whole lockdown thing going on.
I am fairly certain the fall which caused the stock damage also damaged one or more pieces of the hammer, trigger and sear. Any replacement parts would likely have to be fabricated. Ought to be fun to at least try it on my own. Should be a good and safe project to pursue and learn on. And of course it gives me a reason to buy some more tools. Not that I or any other machinist needs a reason to own more tools.
The first issue to overcome is how to get the pins that hold the internal workings out. The pins are splined to engage the receiver and light tapping with a brass punch hasn't moved them so I am thinking a press will be needed. But I have no idea how large a press will be necessary. I have been watching the want ads for arbor presses and frequently see 1/2 ton presses for a little bit and 1 ton for a little more. Prices for larger presses seem to rise exponentially and of course the weight of the press does as well. So how large of a press will I need? Obviously, if I could find a large press at an affordable price, it would do what a smaller press would do but the smaller press wouldn't be able to do what a larger one could. What size would you think it would take to move those pins out?
Once the pins are out, I will likely not be reusing them. I think I will replace them with a pin which will be easier to remove as I am pretty sure whatever parts need to be made will need some hand fitting and I'd rather have something like a Chicago screw that will be secure but easier to remove multiple times. I would be making them as well and they seem to be fairly simple to do. Little loctite on the inside when the fitting is complete and removal would be less frequent.
So, throw your ideas at me, I am all ears. No literally, wearing a mask has increased my earspan to near Dumbo like proportions, but at least my hair is now so long it covers up the fact that I could glide if not fly easily.
The bigger problem is the hammer will only stay cocked some of the time and when it does the trigger pull is ounces. It isn't safe at all so I have never even fired the rifle. I bought it and set it aside to be a project for when I had more time. Well, after the kids came along time was short but now I seem to have more of it with the whole lockdown thing going on.
I am fairly certain the fall which caused the stock damage also damaged one or more pieces of the hammer, trigger and sear. Any replacement parts would likely have to be fabricated. Ought to be fun to at least try it on my own. Should be a good and safe project to pursue and learn on. And of course it gives me a reason to buy some more tools. Not that I or any other machinist needs a reason to own more tools.
The first issue to overcome is how to get the pins that hold the internal workings out. The pins are splined to engage the receiver and light tapping with a brass punch hasn't moved them so I am thinking a press will be needed. But I have no idea how large a press will be necessary. I have been watching the want ads for arbor presses and frequently see 1/2 ton presses for a little bit and 1 ton for a little more. Prices for larger presses seem to rise exponentially and of course the weight of the press does as well. So how large of a press will I need? Obviously, if I could find a large press at an affordable price, it would do what a smaller press would do but the smaller press wouldn't be able to do what a larger one could. What size would you think it would take to move those pins out?
Once the pins are out, I will likely not be reusing them. I think I will replace them with a pin which will be easier to remove as I am pretty sure whatever parts need to be made will need some hand fitting and I'd rather have something like a Chicago screw that will be secure but easier to remove multiple times. I would be making them as well and they seem to be fairly simple to do. Little loctite on the inside when the fitting is complete and removal would be less frequent.
So, throw your ideas at me, I am all ears. No literally, wearing a mask has increased my earspan to near Dumbo like proportions, but at least my hair is now so long it covers up the fact that I could glide if not fly easily.