I am in the process of finalizing the machining of the bolts ( I am the lucky owner of a set of Cutter's 1 piece version0
) and I am attempting to use the Cutter technique of setting the sear and pinning the screw in the correct position. obviously in order to do that I have to drill a hole through the hammer shaft and the 6-32 x 1/2 inch screw. What is driving me nuts is the hardness of the hammer shaft. I believe the hammer shafts I have originated with GBULL (MAY HE REST IN PEACE) and I do not own a hardness tester but my estimate of the hardness is [Rockwell D 200?
I am using 1/16 inch carbide drills of several designs - all courtesy of McMaster Carr and my local bank loan officer, but I am really having a problem. Did any of you other users of the Garry Bull supplied hammer shaft have a similar experience?
No suggestions on drilling the hammer shafts but on the two gats I built I just used loctite on the sear screws and have not had any problems at all with them moving. Considering the trouble you are having drilling them maybe you might want to try the loctite first and if that does not work out then troubleshoot the drilling problem more. I used a penetrating grade of permatex brand for loctite although other types could be suitable as well.
On second though, I do have a suggestion on drilling the hammer shafts. A edm would make those holes easily if you could get it done. EDM does not care one bit if the steel is hard.
Lastly, THANKS for breaking the silence here !! I look here a couple times a day and its been dead silent. I miss the forum activity.
