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Post by hankinsrfls on Sept 23, 2014 15:29:49 GMT -5
Guys,, I been making some breech plugs the last two weeks and thought I would share some of the processes with you. I was almost finished with the first operation when I decided to take some pictures, so I backed up some and took a few and tried to keep taking them throughout the manufacturing process. I would also like you to know that I manufacture all my parts in house. I do not sub contract to the lowest bidder. With the exception of barrels and tungsten bushings. Photos to follow will have a brief explanation under each of them. Hope you enjoy,,,, Jeff.  The plugs start from 416 stainless steel bar stock,.  The bar stock is loaded into the lathe and after a series of tool changes you have the first operation done and the plug looks like this.  How many tools does it take to do the first operation? EIGHT....  Now the plug is put back into the lathe and the second operation is completed. Here you see the plug getting drilled for the vent hole with a #65 drill. That is .035 diameter.  The #65 drill bits.. Pretty darn small....  Plugs are then set up in an indexing head and the 1/2 inch hex is cut into the face of the plug for easy removal.  Here is a batch of plugs ready for heat treatment. The stainless steel foil is used to wrap the plugs, this forms an oxygen barrier to protect the plugs from flaking. At these high temperatures the steel will burn if oxygen can reach it.  The plugs are bagged up and sealed in the stainless steel foil wrap, ready for the furnace  In the furnace they go..  When starting the furnace the inside temperature was 73 degrees  Two hours later it is 1850 degrees inside... Pretty dang hot....  After letting the plugs soak in the oven at 1850 degrees for one hour they are ready to be removed.  Working quickly, the foil bag is cut open and the plugs are cautiously dumped onto the stainless steel table top and rapidly cooled.  The plugs are spread out to help cooling effects. I use compressed air to aid in the cooling process. 416 steel can be quinched in oil or air cooled. I prefer air cooling so theres no oil mess to clean up.  Once cooled, they are ready to be glass bead blasted (sand blasting will ruin the part) and then cleaned, oiled and put away for later use.  Here are the finished plugs, cleaned and ready to use. 60 of the plugs have a .035 vent hole in them. 40 of the plugs are built to except a tungsten bushing, depending on the given purpose of the rifle as to which plug you will want to use.  This is a sectioned plug, showing the bushing and retaining ring in place. The second operation was not done to the plug so there is no hex on the plug nor is it cut to except the priming module.  Last but not least is a picture showing the retaining ring getting a .150 hole drilled through it. This ring is made from a 5/16-24 stainless steel set screw and required a solid carbide mill to cut the hole through the screw. Thanks for viewing.. Jeff. www.hankinscustomrifles.com |
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Post by vtecgsr95 on Sept 23, 2014 15:47:12 GMT -5
NICE!
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Post by ET on Sept 23, 2014 15:50:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the informative tour.
Ed
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Post by 03mossy on Sept 23, 2014 16:00:40 GMT -5
That was pretty interesting thanks for sharing. That first pic of the glowing plugs is neat.
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Post by jims on Sept 23, 2014 16:42:55 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 16:47:59 GMT -5
yes very interesting, looking forward to getting the .416 suited up for one of those plugs..
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 16:56:40 GMT -5
No wonder your orfice lasts so long! Those babies have to be harder than heck after you're done. Ever had to cut out a stuck plug?
Very nice work indeed
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Post by hawghunter on Sept 23, 2014 17:11:34 GMT -5
Very interesting photo tour. Thanks for sharing.
I talked with Jean at Bullberry this afternoon.. My 45-70 barrel and drop should be shipped real soon.
Does the design of your combination sizing die system allow you to full form size bullets from multiple rifles if multiple barrel drops are provided?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 18:10:00 GMT -5
I'm going to get one of these from Jeff with the bushing. Top shelf work here guys! Kyle
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Post by rlp10ml on Sept 23, 2014 18:43:48 GMT -5
Impressive and very interesting to say the least.
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Post by Richard on Sept 23, 2014 19:26:48 GMT -5
Good show Jeff!
Richard
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Post by edge on Sept 23, 2014 19:45:53 GMT -5
Very nice  edge. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 20:15:18 GMT -5
Jeff looks like a great process and great way of showing your set up. Thanks for sharing!
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Post by 7mmfreak on Sept 23, 2014 20:24:22 GMT -5
The things I'd do for your equipment. ...
Nice picture show. Looks like you expect to do a few SML barrels.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 20:25:54 GMT -5
See Jeff we love pictures!!!
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Post by Typical171 on Sept 23, 2014 20:51:39 GMT -5
Thanks Jeff for the sharing the picture process, very informative. I do have a question from your cut away photo. Why is the plug as long as it is if the tungsten bushing is seated that deep into the plug? Is it to have more plug engagement into the barrel?
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Post by hammer on Sept 23, 2014 20:55:42 GMT -5
Jeff did you do away with the unthreaded nose of the bolt to shorten the plug for the bushing and because the unthreaded nose isn't really needed?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 21:53:57 GMT -5
Custom to say the least....beyond words...thanks for sharing and the reality check.....
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Post by sagittarius on Sept 23, 2014 22:21:12 GMT -5
That was very interesting, Jeff.
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by lwh723 on Sept 23, 2014 22:23:27 GMT -5
Nice post. Interesting read/look.
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Post by airborneike on Sept 24, 2014 1:09:31 GMT -5
If you are a machinist it never gets old making chips.
Do you temper after hardening?
Nice work Jeff and good post.
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Post by bigmoose on Sept 24, 2014 6:26:20 GMT -5
Jeff,
Since I have 10 thumbs, I enjoy seeing the work some folks can do very interesting
Best wishes,
Marty
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Post by muznut on Sept 24, 2014 7:15:46 GMT -5
Your in a league of your own Jeff! Great know how and workmanship!!
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Post by speedrackin on Sept 24, 2014 7:41:39 GMT -5
Jeff , glad you showed every one what goes into one of ur plugs . Everyone can see that there is a lot of time spent perfecting your system . There isn't much made here in the USA anymore . Glad to see that everything is 100% American made. Great job keep up the good work.
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Post by jims on Sept 24, 2014 11:20:24 GMT -5
Also nice equipment. Many of us are jealous.
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Post by fishhawk on Sept 24, 2014 12:21:28 GMT -5
Very nice Jeff! From my experience with bushings, you might want to flatten the bushing end of your lock screw. and take the slight taper out of the top of the bushing hole. Pure Tungsten is somewhat brittle and needs all the support/contact area you can get. I wonder about removing the threads above the lock ring. They might crud up and gall upon removal?
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Post by rickyb on Sept 24, 2014 13:33:49 GMT -5
Really nice thread to read and follow. Looks like you are very knowledgeable and I'm glad to see you contributing to this board. Rick
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Post by speedrackin on Sept 24, 2014 13:59:55 GMT -5
The other thing that people fail to realize is the level of quality control ..... which is priceless
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Post by 10ga on Sept 24, 2014 14:47:10 GMT -5
dittos to all the above posts! Really nice thread. Being old and having seen a lot of stuff it ain't easy to do but I'm impressed. Thanks for the pictures. Neat to see how you "bag" the plugs when you treat them. Now I have to find a way to finance a "hankins" SML barrel. = Now if coons average $9 and muskrats are $5 and otters go $55 I may be able to eat well over winter and have some cash for a barrel next May after the NAFA auction. Hope all well and have a moderate winter. 10 ga
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Post by Jon on Sept 24, 2014 16:09:35 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity what is that plug for it is totally different from the ones I got?
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