RG&G vs D&E

I am not a site administrator.  I asked the site administrators if we could open a new catagory just for the D&E gun.
There are about 50 posts for the RG&G to one for the D&E.  There are many places to post about the RG&G including this site.
My purpose in choosing the D&E was that it is a scale model of an existing gun, the one most of us are familiar with.
My purpose for starting this thread is to document the building of a D&E completely from start to finish.  I have not found such a site.
The second purpose would be to identify and resolve any problems found during the build.  It is well known the D&E has problems firing.
My goal is to construct a D&E gun following the plans and instructions as close a possible.  Any changes or modifications I make must be in keeping with the plans of a scale model.  I have already discarded several things that might work but deviate too far from the plans.

[quote name=\"Steve McKuhen\"]My goal is to construct a D&E gun following the plans and instructions as close a possible.  Any changes or modifications I make must be in keeping with the plans of a scale model.  I have already discarded several things that might work but deviate too far from the plans.[/quote]


Ok, I see that your main goal is to keep the gun a true scale model.   Bear in mind that the D&E plans deviate from the real gattling gun !!    This was necessary because of it being rim fire and the original gun centerfire.   The real gatling had a conventional extractor finger on the bolt, spring loaded,  this can be seen in the patent drawings easily.   So, the question is, do you want to stay true to the real gun or the D&E plans?   Nobody ever got a D&E gun built exactly like the plans to fire even close to reliably,  and it was due to design flaws, not machining skills.   Good luck !

If the firing problem can be solved within the dimensions of the plans then the solution would be available to everyone who has invested in this gun.  The solution could be retrofitted without any major rebuilding.
It seems that Roller is close to this.  I have tried almost all of the things he has mentioned.  I can only conclude that he is a better machinist than I.
Perhaps a redesigned bolt could be included in the \'pay it forward\' suggestion?
I believe you understand what I am trying to say.  I just do not want to use this thread to turn the D&E into a hybrid gun.  I am also trying to say that it is not up to me as this is not my site.

[quote name=\"Steve McKuhen\"]If the firing problem can be solved within the dimensions of the plans then the solution would be available to everyone who has invested in this gun.  The solution could be retrofitted without any major rebuilding.
It seems that Roller is close to this.  I have tried almost all of the things he has mentioned.  I can only conclude that he is a better machinist than I.
Perhaps a redesigned bolt could be included in the \'pay it forward\' suggestion?
I believe you understand what I am trying to say.  I just do not want to use this thread to turn the D&E into a hybrid gun.  I am also trying to say that it is not up to me as this is not my site.[/quote]

I think we are on the same page.   I have one requirement,  that is non negotiable and that is the gun absolutely must be a extremely reliable firing gun (8 out of 10 and such is not nearly good enough,  495 out of 500 is).  That has never been accomplished within the original drawings regardless of the quality of machining work.  Some changes are going to be required.   Naturally, I would like those changes to be as minimal as possible and invisible from the outside so as to retain the guns scale accuracy to the original.  IF more extensive mods are absolutely necessary than I would go that route but only if reliable functioning cannot be obtained otherwise.  The true scale appearance is what influenced many to buy the DE gun rather than the RG (myself included), that must be maintained.

So, only two requirements for me    1)  Totally reliable firing gun
                                                2)  Modifications as minimal as necessary to obtain that reliability.

Its great that there is now a spot for DE builders to share info and work things out.  A video of a DE gun firing a full 50 round burst is long overdue and appears to be in the near future.   I\'m thrilled.