Help with this mechanism

[max503]

(I do hope I'm not breaking any rules, this not being an S&W.)

Any tips on disassembling this folding stock? I'd like to pretty up the wood and maybe give the metal some kind of coating; it has pits.
Seems like disassembly/reassembly could be a bit complex.
The stock fold out and locks. In order to retract it you press in on the knurled buttons on the sides.
Would I be getting in over my head, taking this apart? I think unscrewing those star-shaped fasteners on the bases of the knobs would get the process started. I just want to be sure I can get it back together.

 

[BC38]

I don't know, but it looks to me like the teeth on that spring washer locks under a rim on the hollow barrel/shaft that the release buttons fit into. It looks like the kind of deal where the washer is pressed onto the barrel/shaft and locks on - similar to the pressed on retaining washer that kept the wheel on the axle of the little red wagon I had as a kid.

If what looks like a rim is actually threads, then I would say yes, turning that toothed washer to unthread it from the barrel/shaft would be the first step. If it isn't threads, if the toothed washer is actually pressed on over a rim on the barrel/shaft then it is going to be really tough to get apart.

 

[JohnHL]

(I do hope I'm not breaking any rules, this not being an S&W.)

Any tips on disassembling this folding stock? I'd like to pretty up the wood and maybe give the metal some kind of coating; it has pits.
Seems like disassembly/reassembly could be a bit complex.
The stock fold out and locks. In order to retract it you press in on the knurled buttons on the sides.
Would I be getting in over my head, taking this apart? I think unscrewing those star-shaped fasteners on the bases of the knobs would get the process started. I just want to be sure I can get it back together.

Hi, max!

That looks like an old Federal Ordnance underfolder for the Mini-14.

Those "star shaped fasteners" are called "push on, self-locking, external retaining rings".

I don't think they thread on but are just "pushed on" and probably must be pried off.
There's probably a spring compressed under there so getting it back together may require squeezing the pieces together with a couple of sleeves and an arbor press or a large c-clamp.

I couldn't find any disassembly instructions on line but maybe your search luck is better than mine.

Here's a link to replacements from McMaster-Carr: McMaster-Carr

John

 

[Daniel Howe]

We call them "Jesus Clips" because they make you cuss trying to get them off. They are one time use. Cut or break it off anyway you can, I use side cutters. When done replace it with a new one from your local hardware store.

 

[max503]

Hi, max!

That looks like an old Federal Ordnance underfolder for the Mini-14.

Those "star shaped fasteners" are called "push on, self-locking, external retaining rings".

I don't think they thread on but are just "pushed on" and probably must be pried off.
There's probably a spring compressed under there so getting it back together may require squeezing the pieces together with a couple of sleeves and an arbor press or a large c-clamp.

I couldn't find any disassembly instructions on line but maybe your search luck is better than mine.

Here's a link to replacements from McMaster-Carr: McMaster-Carr

John

Thanks everyone. Yes, this folder came off a Mini 14. There is a place here in town that does some kind of metal coating. I'll have to check into that. But I'd like to clean this up and use it. It seems sturdy and well-made.

 

[max503]

Thinking I can trap those knobs between the jaws of a vice then pry off the retainers and begin loosening the vice and see what happens.....

 

[WR Moore]

Uh, you do realize that the various springs, locking widgets and so forth may be really hard to find if you lose control. Or, if you go looking for replacements.

 

[BC38]

Uh, you do realize that the various springs, locking widgets and so forth may be really hard to find if you lose control. Or, if you go looking for replacements.

That would be my main concern as well. If you damage or destroy one of those press on locking washers, getting a replacement may be difficult - unless one of the ones in the link to McMaster Carr that JohnHL provided is an exact size match. Since they are only $5-$10 apiece I think I'd get them ordered and in hand to make 100% certain they are exact replacements before I tore it apart if it were me.

EDIT: I looked a little closer and see that the ones at McMaster Carr only go up to 1" diameter, so they may not offer one big enough. It's hard to tell from your photo, but it looks like the original may be bigger than that.

 

[max503]

I'm thinking now, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". A coat of CLP on the steel made those pits less noticeable. Some polish on the wood should make that part nicer. I'll trying cleaning/polishing first and see how it looks then.

It would be different if there where clear instructions, but maybe I shouldn't be the test case.

 

[kraynky]

I would give the wood a good scrubbing down with Murphy's Oil Soap and try some Ed's Red on the steel. It would be a complete bummer for that piece to end up in a parts drawer, reminding you that you should have stopped with a "good cleaning".

Patina isn't all that bad ya know. Good luck with it! Post a before & after picture, whichever way you decide to go.