Winter indoor tool and gun restorations

[ujmchris]

I had a stretch of time up here in MN that I didn't have heat in the shop (down for repairs). In that time I got quite bored and decided that there was quite a bit I could do in the house. Below is my set up for doing some indoor tool clean up and restorations. Every thing fits on a card table. My main tools are some screwdrivers, pliers, some small files, honing stone, and a bunch of (mostly) non-smelly chemicals. Evaporust, Brasso, Birchwood/Casey rust and blue remover, rubbing alcohol, Brownells Oxpho-Blue, Aero-Kroil, gun oil, and tung oil. Also, lots of rags and cleaning patches, and various plastic tubs. I still run out to the shop (which now has heat) to use a brass wire wheel and the buffer, but only when the chemicals don't do their job. Like a dummy, I didn't take many 'before' pictures. Oh well... Hope you enjoy.

My Indoor Set Up

First I went a little OCD and cleaned up and blued a new drain valve for the compressor.

Then I found this neglected Wells Co. tap wrench covered with surface rust (and some a bit deeper).

My latest project is this hand plane... It needs lots of love. Not sure if I will just paint it, or redo the japanning properly.

This is an on going project from fall. Its a reproduction 1858 Remington New Army (.44)
The frame is mostly done, along with most of the other big parts, minus the cylinder. By the way, you cant cold blue case-hardened parts very well.
This will be a mate to another 1858 I did last summer.

I'll add more pics as projects come up. I have a very vintage wiss snip that is in need of a little TLC.

 

[boseefus402]

Nice! I have a 1858 in all nickle that is in good shape and an 1860 colt that I need to work on. The mechanism that engages the cylinder to move it to the next round goes up and down, but it doesnt stick out reliably to engage the cylinder.

 

[ujmchris]

Nice! I have a 1858 in all nickle that is in good shape and an 1860 colt that I need to work on. The mechanism that engages the cylinder to move it to the next round goes up and down, but it doesnt stick out reliably to engage the cylinder.

If you feel comfortable working on it, you could probably do this yourself. Sounds like your hand spring is wore out or broke. Does it work better when you point the muzzle strait down?

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=0/sid=323/schematicsdetail/1860_Army
Part #18 is the hand spring, but its easier to just replace the assembly (#17)
I've never had a colt apart, but I'm sure if you do a search on the web you can find a break down tutorial.

 

[boseefus402]

ujmchris has now made my day.

 

[ujmchris]

Just make sure you have some good screw drivers that fit well.
Here is a simple break down..
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=253230

Here is the selection Dixie has for you 1860..
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/advanc...45fc673412514cbabe&keywords=colt+1860&x=0&y=0

 

[Amitygravel]

Some neat projects. Brownells catalog is amazing , it should be in everyones library of supply catalogs.

 

[5lima30]

Couple of weeks ago the weather was bad and couldn't work on the garage build so I decided to remove the pistol grip on an old NEF .410 shotgun I had. I've aways liked straight grip shotguns especially in the smaller guages. I cut off the pistol grip end and used a bench belt sander to reshape and thin out the palm swell. I don't have any before pics.

 

[franksinatra]

Hey Im in Central MN. Where are you from?