OK, as my project progresses, I wonder in what order the following things are most logically done.


Weld on new bolt handle.
Checker bolt knob.
Final Polish.
Re-heat-treat bolt and action.
Any engraving.

Should I checker the bolt knob before or after it is welded to the bolt? before or after final polish(to avoid flattening diamonds and needing to repoint). Before or after heat treatment(will it be to difficult to cut afterward?)Obviously, checkering before welding would make the job easier, but the checkering must be protected from the jig. Or is it better to weld first and not run that particular risk? Should checkering wait unil after heat treatment to avoid damage to the checkering? And if not, what effect will the process have on the appearance of the diamonds? repoint and repolish?

All of the above questions come up again with the subject of engraving. Is it done before heat treatment? and if so(it must, mustn't it?) how does it look when it is done and does treatment negate your polishing efforts.I have been advised on this forum to polish only to 300 grit before heat treat because it affects the finish.

I have never had these questions before as up to now my home gunsmithing projects have been very modest(so as not to say crude), however, since finding this sight and seeing what you men are doing I have been inspired to try and improve my skills and my projects. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

This post deserves a reply. I would think you would do all welding before heat treat, and final polish after. I am not sure about the engraving. Roger???!

If I trusted the weldor not to muck up my work(which I do with my weldor), I would do all of the work before welding. If not, I would definitely do all of the layout work and cut the borders and masterlines (if it is to be checkered).

It is almost impossible to get the layout just right when the handle is on the bolt and the handle is polished. Everything is layed out off of the exact bottom center of the handle. If it is on the bolt, how do you find that point. I do all of my handle layout on a horizontal rotary table with a vernier height gage. But then, I've been told that I am somewhat anal about layout accuracy.

Thanks, Roger,

Since I will weld it myself trust is naturally misplaced. Good point about the layout. I'm doing two panels of checkering as my first attempt, and I need every advantage.

How about heat treatment? Will it mean alot of touching up afterwards?

Doug