Posted: 10/29/2004 5:09:19 AM EDT
| Im thinking about doing some armchair gunsmithing and one of the things that I'd really like to do is stipple the front strap of my range gun. I have a book that says its easy as hell and I'm thinking about giving it a try, what are you guys' thoughts? Anyone ever stipple there own gun? |
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It's isn't hard, once you have the technique down. The "secret" is consistency in the application. The tools needed are GOOD steel punches, a small, well-padded vise, a good light, and a small hammer. First, buy some steel bar stock to practice on. Lock the part to be stippled up FIRMLY BRACED on a solid bench. The idea is that the part doesn't bounce or move around during the operation. Hold the punch between your thumb and index finger, with your hand solidly braced on the vise or the part. Grip the firmly punch firmly with a "springy" hold. Hold the punch about 1/4" to 1/2" above the surface and strike the punch with the small hammer. The idea is, when you strike the punch, it will impact the surface, then spring back or rebound back off the surface. Rap the punch rapidly and move it around the area. What determines the texture is: The type of punch used. How hard you strike the punch. How "fast" you move the punch. The angle to the surface you hold the punch. Punches can have faces that are pointed at sharper or wider tapers, checkered, triangular, square, or about any other shape desired. The harder you strike, the deeper, and rougher the texture. You can hold the punch at a sharp angle to raise "shark's tooth" marks like on the old 1950's National Match 1911 pistols. Depending on how you do it, the texture can range from light matting to very coarse, almost rasp-like textures. Consistency is what makes a good job. You have to do the entire area the same way with the same force and speed, or the texture will be uneven. Practice on scrap steel to develop the techniques that produce the texture you like then do an actual gun part. |
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Another method is to use a carbide tipped automatic center punch. I used this technique on an old Davis .22 pocket pistol I kept in my tackle box (Hey, I wasn't about to screw up my 1911 trying a new trick!). I built a holding fixture to keep the gun in place, secured it to my bench and started poking the front strap. I was rather pleased with the end result (but not the gun). Anyway, this gave consistent depth, round stipples that looked pretty decent and actually did enhance the looks of the little ugly gun and helped grip it. |