Another Lead Sled modification.....
Feb 17, 2010 23:28:33 GMT -5
Post by Richard on Feb 17, 2010 23:28:33 GMT -5
For those of you using the Caldwell Lead Sled or any of Caldwell's front rests, here is a way to keep the spindle from loosening up.
The rest part sits on a threaded spindle that goes down thru a housing. You loosen up a threaded handle and turn the "mariner's" wheel to get vertical adjustment. Then "lock" the handle to keep the "wobbly" main spindle from moving. While I have taken that wobble out of the spindle by making a bushing, (you can see it in the picture-----it bronze color and actually there is another bushing above it where that ball bearing thingy sits) I still wind up with the handle loosening up after a few shots. A loose wobbly rest can cause serious problems with accuracy. So here is my cure:
I have done two things: One is a little more involved than the other. Since the threads on the handle that Caldwell supplies has a course type (probably metric) thread which fits loosely in the aluminum housing I decided to change it. I found the housing with the internal threads was large enough to support a larger shaft. I also know that a fine thread is less apt to loosen than a course thread. So, I went with a 3/8" x 24 threaded long bolt. Drilled and tapped the housing for that thread. This in itself would help the handle from loosening. But being into "overkill", I decided to go one step further. I added a tensioning compression spring between the "fancy handle" I created and the housing. I shot off the sled yesterday (some 25 shots) and had no problem with the handle coming loose.
I think that if one were to put several wraps of teflon tape on the threads of their present handle along with a spring, they could probably accomplish the same thing. Maybe have to replace the teflon tape every once in a while.
Richard
The rest part sits on a threaded spindle that goes down thru a housing. You loosen up a threaded handle and turn the "mariner's" wheel to get vertical adjustment. Then "lock" the handle to keep the "wobbly" main spindle from moving. While I have taken that wobble out of the spindle by making a bushing, (you can see it in the picture-----it bronze color and actually there is another bushing above it where that ball bearing thingy sits) I still wind up with the handle loosening up after a few shots. A loose wobbly rest can cause serious problems with accuracy. So here is my cure:
I have done two things: One is a little more involved than the other. Since the threads on the handle that Caldwell supplies has a course type (probably metric) thread which fits loosely in the aluminum housing I decided to change it. I found the housing with the internal threads was large enough to support a larger shaft. I also know that a fine thread is less apt to loosen than a course thread. So, I went with a 3/8" x 24 threaded long bolt. Drilled and tapped the housing for that thread. This in itself would help the handle from loosening. But being into "overkill", I decided to go one step further. I added a tensioning compression spring between the "fancy handle" I created and the housing. I shot off the sled yesterday (some 25 shots) and had no problem with the handle coming loose.
I think that if one were to put several wraps of teflon tape on the threads of their present handle along with a spring, they could probably accomplish the same thing. Maybe have to replace the teflon tape every once in a while.
Richard
