I'd like to see what methods are out there for boring out the hole for the takedown screw in a shotgun or single shot rifle stock. I'm working on my first shotgun stock and got the takedown screw hole drilled with a drill press, helped by a vise and 12" bit. It worked, but I'd like to see what other ways can get it done. Any tips/tricks are appreciated.

Are you talking about a through-bolt hole? If you are, search here as there was a detailed discussion about it not long ago.

I must be using the wrong search terms, as I tried to dig up any posts prior to starting my thread.

If you could provide a link to the one you mention I'd appreciate it.

Evan
Center punch both ends. Install a dead center in the tail stock of your lathe and a standard length drill in the headstock. Drill first 2 inches, the switch over to an extended drill. This can be fabricated by silver soldering an extenstion or buy one which would be rather expensive. Drill approximately half way through. Pull the drill frequently to clear the chips. Liquid floor wax is a good lubricant. Switch ends and repeat.

You can also set up "between centers" with a floor type drill press. Fabricate a dead center to go on the table in line with the drill chuck.

I attended a seminar where Chuck Grace, gunsmith instructor and ACGG member recomended fabricating your own version of a gun drill out of drill rod. He said it would drill dead nuts straight every time.

I attended a seminar where Chuck Grace, gunsmith instructor and ACGG member recomended fabricating your own version of a gun drill out of drill rod. He said it would drill dead nuts straight every time.[/QUOTE]

That seminar was given by Chuck Grace a few years ago. Only thing was, he was using a brad point drill until I suggested he make himself, and use, a "gun drill" He said he had never used one so I made one and sent it to him. He is now a believer in the gun drill.

best way i know of is to send to kobe, in fact i have to do that pretty soon

I'm pretty stubborn about doing stuff myself (it's how I learn best) but someone has already asked me to work over their L.C. Smith 16 ga. so I may have to see how it's really done.

quote:

Originally posted by Craftsman:
Fabricate a dead center to go on the table in line with the drill chuck.

This would have saved me a whole lotta trouble.

I'm smack dab in the middle of the Cities so one of these days I'll live up to my word and actually stop by Kobe's.

once you see the drill jim made and the set up he made you'll see that it just isn't worth the work to make your own just do do a two piece stock now and then, besides that you can see some of the stuff in the shop & accuse him of causing most of the worlds ills

Mr. Kobe, a photo or two of your "gun drill" setup would be appreciated.

Don't have anything available right now and besides, a photo of the gun drill would not explain any better than what has been said. Only thing, the drill press Idea never worked for me as the spindle would not go in deep enough. I use the lathe with the drill chucked up in the headstock and the stock blank in the center in the tailstock and push the stock blank into the drill with the lathe center in the center in the tailstock, not the other way around. The thing about the gun drill is the rigidity, it won't wander like a twist drill. It is a single fluted piece of O-1. The flute is cut in the mill and I removed one-fourth of the diameter for about six inches to make the flute.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Only thing, the drill press Idea never worked for me as the spindle would not go in deep enough.

The thing about the gun drill is the rigidity, it won't wander like a twist drill. It is a single fluted piece of O-1.

No lathes available for me to use so I had to grit my teeth and pray the drill bit was still in alignment when the hole was getting deep.

I had to keep elevating the drill table to keep drilling deeper. It worked, but it was a pain to do and I didn't feel too comfortable with it until it was done (I felt like it would have been very easy to screw up).

Last week I saw my gunsmith drill a stock using the Lathe Method exactly as described. Apparently a lot of shouting and swearing is also required.

Mark

Sometimes you have to wait untill the planets are in exact alignment.

quote:

Posted 30 November 2011 05:32 Hide Post
Last week I saw my gunsmith drill a stock using the Lathe Method exactly as described. Apparently a lot of shouting and swearing is also required.

so kobe is your gunsmith?