Catweazle Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 I will of course be photographing and videoing all of the stages for you guys... Very much appreciated, I'm really enjoying this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 A friend of mine had his done at London proof house but that was a few years back and aparently they were getting a few complaints when they tested that sort of caliber. Someone else I know had guys come out from the proof house and conduct it in a field locally so I reckon this will be the way forward. I had a chat with my FEO a few weeks ago and we agreed the best way will be for me to finish the gun, serial number it and mark it with the makers name (me) and get it put on my certificate, then I can fire it legally. I'll test it locally first to ensure its safe and has as good a chance as possible of passing, then ill speak to the proof houses to see about testing it. I'm not sure how London will price it if they have to come out and test it so it might work out cheaper to go to Birmingham... I will of course be photographing and videoing all of the stages for you guys... Cant wait to see this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 A friend of mine had his done at London proof house but that was a few years back and aparently they were getting a few complaints when they tested that sort of caliber. Someone else I know had guys come out from the proof house and conduct it in a field locally so I reckon this will be the way forward. I had a chat with my FEO a few weeks ago and we agreed the best way will be for me to finish the gun, serial number it and mark it with the makers name (me) and get it put on my certificate, then I can fire it legally. I'll test it locally first to ensure its safe and has as good a chance as possible of passing, then ill speak to the proof houses to see about testing it. I'm not sure how London will price it if they have to come out and test it so it might work out cheaper to go to Birmingham... I will of course be photographing and videoing all of the stages for you guys... Thanks for that Wildfowler. I can't imagine how you will feel when you pull that lanyard for the first time. Apprension, pride, relief, a little bit of fear even. Going to be a magic moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 WF Where will the serial number come from? Is there a register with unnalocated numbers for the home produced or limited run weapons? If you are not selling the gun, are you just proof testing it for your own piece of mind? Keep up the great work! T.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) According to my FEO, there is no register of available serial numbers and there are actually a number of guns out there with the same number. It is the combination of serial number and makers name that makes the gun unique (therefore one maker cannot use the same number twice). So basically I can choose whatever number I like... Not sure what I'm going to go for yet... I'm proofing it as I think it's the responsible thing to do and who knows, I might want to lend it to someone or my boys might want to sell it in the future so for the cost, I'll get it done. Edited July 29, 2013 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Just got back from my parents where i've been doing a bit more on the barrel. Today was the day to heat shrink the barrel sleeve on... As i was a little concerned that the sleeve would get stuck half way on, i wanted to have a backup plan. There is a row of large conifers at the back of my dads workshop, some of which are conveniently not in line... My dad has got some hydraulic equipment for pulling cars back straight, so i set up the 10 ton ram on the end of the barrel, between 2 of the trees. Unfortunately there was another tree slightly in the way so it required a little trimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 This is the ram in place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 I put the sleeve in the oven at 250C and left it there for 2 hours to make sure it was fully 'saturated' I used a pair of firemans gloves to carry it out and put it on the barrel With a gently push it went all the way home! I was massively relieved!!! I really didn't want to abuse it if i didn't have to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 A second or 2 after getting it on i tried to turn it but it had already locked on... You don't often see a smile on my face but i was so relieved it went ok! It was one of those 'all or nothing' moments in the project. Here it is in place, you can see the effect the temperature had on the steel by the discoloration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 This is the whole setup with rams, etc ready to be dropped in place if it got stuck It was a lot of work to set up but worth it as an insurance policy... Once it had cooled down a bit i got it back in the workshop this is the breach end This is the other end of the sleeve. I was quite pleased with the fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Next was to weld the breach end to make double sure it all stays in place. I welded into the base of the V to ensure i got maximum penetration but also allow me to machine a small skim off the face once its all done to give a seamless finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 I ground the top of the weld back off to ensure there were no gaps in it and to avoid giving the carbide tip tools too much abuse. Not the prettiest but good enough The weld seems to have got good penetration... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Here it is, back on the roof ready to go home again! Hopefully i'll get it faced off and chambered before the end of the week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowlerwidow Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 I thought I would share a picture of my husband-wildfowler. It is a rare picture as shows him almost 'content'! He was very relieved that it all went without a hitch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Its been seriously hectic recently! I spent a while making some components for another PW member, my son had a training session at st Georges park with Jamie Redknap which consumed another weekend and like Paul said, its a shame to waste the nice weather so I've been trying to spend a bit of time with the boys, not to mention the CLA which wrote off last weekend! (well worth it though!) Here are a few pics of the bits for utectok... All made from 304 stainless, M20 thread screwcut... IMG_2396.JPG This is with the spacers IMG_2439.JPG Thanks so much for this been on a crazy fishing holiday up west coast and down east including Orkney so away for a bit! Here are some pics of the bell assembled (text from Tennyson poem btw) also a couple of holiday snaps, fishing, Orkney warrior, dog bored of caravaning! Ur a star bell sounds great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 thats starting to look heavy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hi Utectok, I'm glad the bell went together ok and is sounding good! Looks like you had a successful trip too so good news all round! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 thats starting to look heavy I can carry it about and I got it on the roof by myself but that was a bit of a struggle as it is getting very heavy now and you have to hold it out from your body (as you can see I'm not the biggest of frames ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Nice work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I thought I would share a picture of my husband-wildfowler. It is a rare picture as shows him almost 'content'! He was very relieved that it all went without a hitch! An amazing project. Congratulations! Now we need to see it going off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 because i wasn't happy with the first breach plug i spent a couple of hours on Tuesday morning making another one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted August 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 yesterday i had to go into work so i spent the evening in the man cave making the second stage of the firing pin Then i machined a screw to hold the pin in This is the breach plug assembly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 Loving your work. It must have felt tremendous when the sleeve went on so well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 What makes it so interesting is that following it though you can actually see how it all works. I can't imagine designing a firing mechanism - but you make it all seem simple! The engineering is beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted August 1, 2013 Report Share Posted August 1, 2013 (edited) Keep up the good work there, it's good to see the firing mech coming along. Edited August 2, 2013 by Anth6568 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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