My next project - 4566TSW makeover

[Catshooter]

Bill,

If you're concerned about chamber support, do this.

Take a 45 case and split it lengthwise with your Dremel. Clean it up and then plop it in the chamber. That will let you see where the chamber support ends and the brass web taper are in relation to each other.

You do nice work.


Cat

 

[BMCM]

Bill,

If you're concerned about chamber support, do this.

Take a 45 case and split it lengthwise with your Dremel. Clean it up and then plop it in the chamber. That will let you see where the chamber support ends and the brass web taper are in relation to each other.

You do nice work.


Cat

Now that is just a stellar idea! Why didn't I think of that? Well just goes to show ya even an old fart like me can pick up something new every once in a while.

Like so?

It does look a lot better from this perspective.

And

Thanks Cat

Cheers
Bill

 

[blujax01]

Two is better than one??

I dunno. This looks a whole lot like one of those "Monday-morning-eyes-not-open-yet-running-the rivet-machine" moments!

 

[BMCM]

Good evening Gents,

While the barrel soaks in copper solvent...

I've been working on the checkering. Here I'm deepening the last row at the bottom of the front strap with a 5mm carbide knifedge wheel bur. I'm using the bur for the bulk of the work because the forward curve at the bottom of the frame makes it very difficult to file here. I'll finish up hand filing this once the bulk of the metal work is done with the power tool.

Here's what the frontstrap looks like now viewed from the right.

And from the left.

I still have the bottom couple of rows to cut and blend and some blending to do at the top then I'll be done with the frame. On the slide I've got a couple spots to de-horn around the ejection port and I need to clean up & de-burr the front sight dovetail. Once that stuff is completed it's off to the blast cabinet then once my part orders come in...re-assembly.

Cheers
Bill

 

[boingboing]

Good evening Gents,

While the barrel soaks in copper solvent...

I've been working on the checkering. Here I'm deepening the last row at the bottom of the front strap with a 5mm carbide knifedge wheel bur. I'm using the bur for the bulk of the work because the forward curve at the bottom of the frame makes it very difficult to file here. I'll finish up hand filing this once the bulk of the metal work is done with the power tool.

Here's what the frontstrap looks like now viewed from the right.

And from the left.

I still have the bottom couple of rows to cut and blend and some blending to do at the top then I'll be done with the frame. On the slide I've got a couple spots to de-horn around the ejection port and I need to clean up & de-burr the front sight dovetail. Once that stuff is completed it's off to the blast cabinet then once my part orders come in...re-assembly.

Cheers
Bill

Looks sharp, like some kind of medieval weapon but definately more grippy than the factory checkering. So, when can I send mine to you?
Ever think that this could be a second career? LOL

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Wow, that looks amazing!! You have a great touch.

 

[Catshooter]

You're welcome BMCM, I was hoping that might help.

Now you can help me in return. I have wanted to checker the front strap of some 4516s over the years and that dang curve that is so close by has left me in tears more than once.

So tell me, where can I get one of those cute littel 5 MM carbide burrs? I want!!!


Cat

 

[BMCM]

So tell me, where can I get one of those cute littel 5 MM carbide burrs? I want!!!


Cat

They're jeweler's tools...
I've used both of these for difficult to hand file spots.
Run the tool slow and be extra careful, things can go sideways in a hurry with these.
(L)8mm Busch knifedge bur & (R)Mega-Tool 5mm knifedge bur.

PM'ing you the source

Cheers
Bill

 

[Catshooter]

Thanks a bunch Bill. Got a set coming now.


Cat

 

[BMCM]

I am interested in the double trigger play spring.

I am assuming the two leafs are stronger than the one (to minimize breakage?

I have never seen that before.

Definitely raises the level to hard use!!!!!!!!

I dunno. This looks a whole lot like one of those "Monday-morning-eyes-not-open-yet-running-the rivet-machine" moments!

Got a brand new drawbar assembly a couple days ago and did some comparison with this double play spring deal. Just working a trigger back and forth on the two draw bars revealed a significant difference in the feel. With the double setup, there was a definite strong hitch in the trigger as the stroke went from mere contact with the play spring to fully to the rear.

From here.

To here.

Same thing on the single spring... nice and smooth with just enough tension to keep the trigger hooks snug . Another thing I noted was where the spring was flexing. The doubled spring being twice as stiff only flexed at the 90 degree that forms the tab riveted to the drawbar. On the the single, the flexing is much less concentrated, the whole top of the spring flexes to some extent instead of just at the 90 degree bend. I would wager metal fatigue at the 90 would cause the doubled spring to fail before the single one would. In any event, I can't imagine the double one being any benefit especially with a quality action job.

I also noted some difference in the fixing rivets and don't believe this was a "Monday morning at Springfield" thing. Have a look, notice the unusual tool marks around the rivet hole on the right. I don't think it came from S&W that way.

I'll not be installing a double play spring.

Cheers
Bill

 

[BMCM]

Things are moving right along. Got my care package from S&W today.

Still messing with checkering too. Finished up the top rows beneath the trigger guard and did the rough filing/contouring the transition area. I'll still need to go over the trasition with a cratex to clean up the tool marks smooth out the bumps before blasting.

Looks like this right now.

Another view.

Finishing up the bottom few rows especially the last row has been a real *******. When the original machine cuts were made they curved at the bottom on both sides.

Like so.

Quite difficult to cut a curved line with a straight file so....

I ground the tips of a couple of my files to make what amounts to a 3square chisel.

They last for a few minutes then I resharpen the tips. The points are gradually coming up. I had half a mind to just cut that bottom row right off of there but that would have left the grip plastic proud of steel right there so I'll just keep scratching away. I get this spot done and blend the lower transition and the frame is complete, ready for the blast cabinet.

Still need to finish de-horning the slide and get the dovetails de-burred & cleaned up for the new sights.

BTW... I did some mathmaticiafying and determined this checkering is 17.2413793 points per inch.

Cheers
Bill

 

[18DAI]

BMCM did S&W send you those sideplates?

If so, thats very interesting as they have told more than one member here, recently, that the sideplates are unavailable. It would appear that was incorrect information. Regards 18DAI

 

[SW CQB 45]

When I originally saw the dbl spring set up....I thought it would increase trigger pull with the added tension and spring thickness when it came in contact with the trigger.

Thanks for the info.

 

[BMCM]

Some progress shots as I finish up the front strap...

And...

Done here...Next stop is the blast cabinet.
Now to finish up the slide.

Cheers
Bill

 

[cololab]

And I thought I was really doing something with my blast cabinet "touch up" projects. You, sir, are a master!

 

[D Rock]

Beautiful work!

For the checkering you might want to try to find some gravers. I had several curved ones that I used to engrave pear inlays. Looked very much like the files you have. This is what they look like.
STEWMAC.COM : Essential Engraving Kit

I really look forward to watching your progress. Wish I had the skill.

Dave

 

[BMCM]

Beautiful work!

For the checkering you might want to try to find some gravers. I had several curved ones that I used to engrave pear inlays. Looked very much like the files you have. This is what they look like.
STEWMAC.COM : Essential Engraving Kit

I really look forward to watching your progress. Wish I had the skill.

Dave

I'll have a look at those... thanks for the tip

Cheers
Bill

 

[BMCM]

About done fixing up the slide....

Sight dovetails de-burred & cleaned up.

And the front.

Some mild de-horning around the ejection port.

I'm heading to the blast cabinet. At this rate, might be doing some re-assembly tonight

Cheers
Bill

 

[geddylee10002000]

Are you sir a machinist?

 

[Philip Marlowe]

BMCM did S&W send you those sideplates?

If so, thats very interesting as they have told more than one member here, recently, that the sideplates are unavailable. It would appear that was incorrect information. Regards 18DAI

S&W told me that awhile back, I could use one for a 4006 .