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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,464 Likes: 212
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,464 Likes: 212 |
Just for conversation, builder I think you risk very little by using the the firing pin without heat treatment.
David is correct that the proper way to harden and temper O-1 requires specific times and temperatures. You can look it up and see that it would be impossible to do by feel or sight. On the other hand, if you do want to try the hardening, O-1 will definitely get harder using basic approaches. No doubt, my comment about tempering in an oven will leave the pin harder than necessary, if it did in fact achieve maximum hardness, but again it was a thought to simplify your home approach. It'll work out, have fun with it.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,092 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,092 Likes: 13 |
David, long time since spending time with you.
I don't have a lathe so this will be a slow process of mounting in a drill, spinning it using files to adjust size. Do I assume both 01 tool steel and S7 tool steel is soft enough to work with files?
Is there a difference in 01 tool steel and 01 drill rod?
This is a straight firing pin with a .240" diameter by .05" belt in the middle. The firing pin is roughly 1/8" diameter and the rear of the pin is about 3/16". The whole thing is about 0.6" long. I am starting with a .250 rod. I will try Fastenal tomorrow hopefully as per Craig's suggestion.
So many guns, so little time!
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,737 Likes: 55
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,737 Likes: 55 |
Milt, yes long time no see, great to at least talk with you here. Having knee problems and will get it operated on before Christmas so haven't been doing any shooting since the last Thanksgiving shoot.
Yes you can work them both with files.
01 tool steel and 01 drill rod are the same and use oil for quenching.
If you have trouble doing it, especially the 1/8" part let me know and I can make it for you.
David
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,092 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,092 Likes: 13 |
Craig, you must have been typing when I was. I agree it is worth a try without heat treating. I have seen a few videos including one from Midway that shows just heating cherry red the tip and the very back and quenching in oil. This is a small firing pin and I am not sure if I can heat such a small area. Midway looks like he is using an acetylene plumbers torch.
So many guns, so little time!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,092 Likes: 13
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,092 Likes: 13 |
David, I hope your surgery is easy with a quick recovery. My wife just had knee surgery for a torn Meniscus. It went well and she has fully recovered.
Thanks for clarifying drill rod. tool steel and S7. And thanks for the offer to finish it if I have trouble with it. Fastenal has short lengths of both tool steel and S7 for under $4 so I might just buy both and see. As Craig says I will try to have fun with it. If I cannot do it I just might contact you. I think I will know as soon as I put file to metal.
So many guns, so little time!
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,498 Likes: 211
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,498 Likes: 211 |
My German friend taught me to harden firing pins so the rear part is hard, but the tip is spring hard. He heated the whole thing cherry red and guench in oil, polish bright and then the tricky part. He heated rear part to "straw", while "playing it in and out of the flame ( propane torch) while watching the color. The rear being heavier than the tip, heat would travel to the tip faster and when the tip turned blue, immediately back in the oil. Mike
Last edited by Der Ami; 11/23/20 09:52 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,764 Likes: 440
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,764 Likes: 440 |
My German friend taught me to harden firing pins so the rear part is hard, but the tip is spring hard. He heated the whole thing cherry red and guench in oil, polish bright and then the tricky part. He heated rear part to "straw", while "playing it in and out of the flame ( propane torch) while watching the color. The rear being heavier than the tip, heat would travel to the tip faster and when the tip turned blue, immediately back in the oil. Mike This makes a good recommendation for a 2-part pin with the tip being a piece of shaped and polished spring wire, and the body of the pin of some other harder material. Then just glue the two together. Actually, this is very common with singleshot rifles in particular. Almost all of mine eventually come to this configuration.
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,498 Likes: 211
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,498 Likes: 211 |
Brent, Yes, I have done that too, when the pin on an internal hammer broke. Mike
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,764 Likes: 440
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,764 Likes: 440 |
Brent, Yes, I have done that too, when the pin on an internal hammer broke. Mike Do you think it would be a better option for the OP given his limited machining capabilities? Perhaps he could keep the old firing pin body, if he still has it.
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,498 Likes: 211
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,498 Likes: 211 |
Brent, No, I think the way he intends to make it is best, considering equipment on hand. Mike
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