New walnut for an old classic

[Decker9]

Bottom sides to depth, nearly had a heart attack thinking I’d went to deep with the handsaw lol. I didn’t snap pics. But with the action in and metal box installed and seated against the action, I sawed the bottom side to 1/8” from the box, then chiseled and filed it to just above.

I’ll get the trigger guard in next and get the trigger hole cut out and bolt release installed and inletted for. Looking forward to being done with the inletting. Swear I’ll have a milling machine to help with the next one!

 

[Decker9]

Got the trigger guard cut in, all went quick. There’s a bit to go to get the floor plate closed, I’ll get back to that later.

Hoping to get the trigger installed and that inlet cut out today/tomorrow.

I’m still contemplating which way to go with pillars, cast them in or build my own. I have both marine Tex and Acraglas I can use for bedding. I’m leaning towards Acraglas for this one and using the black dye.

Dows anyone have experience casting pillars with Acraglas?





Had some good company, meet Archie.

 

[Choupique]

I'm patiently waiting for you to get to the bedding part. My project rifle is a 2 piece bottom model 70 classic express

 

[Macintosh]

Dows anyone have experience casting pillars with Acraglas?

No. But I am curious—as most of the work Ive done is on shotguns, so my bedding and pillaring experience is minimal—about the difference and tradeoffs between what I would have said were traditional metal pillars versus fully “glue” pillars if thats what you mean.
Maybe @Wrench or @Shooter71 can lend some insight?

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

I’ve used both acraglass and score-hi probed [emoji[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]][emoji[emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]]] for pillars. I never really felt like the acraglass got as hard as the probed but I can’t say that it compressed any. I think it was easier to be confident that the acraglass had no voids because it flowed better. You might want to thin whatever you use.

 

[Wrench]

I have used jb, belzona and devcon for pillars. Acraglass is thin and doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[Decker9]

Thanks guys,

Mtn that’s kinda my worry, iv had good luck with Acraglas as bedding, but to fill a hole and have it cure right has me unsure.

I think I will do it right and build or buy some aluminum pillars.

 

[Decker9]

I got the trigger mortise cut out, I tried leaving as much wood as possible to help in the strength. Pre 64’s Iv looked at often have a crack between the mag box and the trigger. I will bed in a hidden cross bolt behind the lug, I may add one in the back too.

Was lucky to stumble on a couple pillars I had laying around I’d forgot about, cut to length and ready to go.

I dont have any .338wm stuff on hand though to test the feeding before I glue these in. I’ll poke around town here and see if I can find a few.

Got the sling mounts in as well. I’m going to build a gouge for fitting these I think. I’d like to build something with a radius exact the same as the mounts, I seen potterfield do it, it can’t be that hard?