Here is an update from Pinetree on where we are at with the Left Hand Long Actions, Right Hand Short Actions and Left Hand Short Actions

This update is from 6/30/03:

Receivers and bolts are at the machine shops. One Machine shop is simply going to
machine the bolts to fit inside the as-cast receiver, while the other plans to
machine all features.

Bolt dies are being reworked now. We did receive your PO, thank you very
much.

Dimensional layouts of two of the three receivers are done, the third should
be complete by Tuesday. I took the liberty of estimating what you needed to
have fixed in the die, and what you would OK as-is, and developed a mold
rework order that is reasonably simple. With one exception on each die, the
reworks involve only material removal from the dies, which can be
accomplished both more quickly and more reliably than material addition in
the die.

The complete package of layouts and my proposed reworks should be sent out
to you on Tuesday, for Wednesday delivery. You are not bound to my
suggested die reworks, I simply tried to balance what was easiest to do in
the die, with what I thought you'd need for dimensions.

The lug/raceway fitups can't be determined until the machine shop does some
machining. I'll keep prodding them.

The mold shop can start on the receiver reworks first thing next week, so
that gives you a couple of days to review the layouts and let me know if you
need any changes to the rework orders. I've spent the better part of the
last couple of days with these layouts, and I think I can walk you through
the layout/rework pretty readily if you need any explanation. We'll throw
in the Mauser collar diameter change on our nickel during the rework.

Once we agree on a rework course, we'll get a completion estimate out of the
mold shop, and then we'll know when you can expect more samples. The fun
will begin when we try to decide how many samples you wish us to run. I
know you want production ASAP, and the reworks, so far, are pretty
straightforward. I wouldn't, however, run hundreds of pieces without some
oversight, especially without some machining trials. To top it off, we have
our shutdown from July 28th to August 8th. We will support you in any way
possible.

Call or email with any questions.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark Gurney
Engineering Manager
Pine Tree Castings

This is from July 3rd:

I've already started the die reworks based on what I thought we'd do, which
you've so far agreed with. I'll go over your additional changes this
weekend and include your requests to the tooling order - but I may ask for
your forgiveness on some features which may either need machining to fully
qualify, or may be more trouble or time than they're worth.

Have a good Fourth of July. Our country is far from perfect, but many good
people gave their all to make it the best country in the world.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark Gurney
Engineering Manager

I actually had some quiet time before day's end, and was able to go through
the short action rework as you've directed.

Don't apologize for asking for what you deserve! We'll get there. I'm not
informed enough to confidently do all the reworks yet, but hopefully we'll
get the answers we need while we're performing the reworks that we know are
required.

Thanks,

Mark.

Mark Gurney
Engineering Manager

And finally this is from July 11:

We just got the turned bolts back from the machine shop. The lug / raceway fitup looks
pretty good! The bolts were turned to print, as was the bore in the
receivers. The two diameters were cut for .004" clearance. .005" extra
stock was removed from the bolt lugs, to compensate for the fact that .005"
was not removed from the receiver's engagement surface. The forward edge of
the bolt handle was cut. No other machine cuts were made.

Not surprisingly, the fitup among all three sets is about the same, so my
comments apply to all the new actions:

With a relatively small amount of handwork at my desk with some riffles.

I'm putting one of each in the mail on Monday, un-reworked. Of course, what
you'll be getting on the next dozen-or-so samples will have the benefit of
the latest die rework, not evident in these samples.

We've started waxing samples from the reworked dies. I will ship out a
couple of waxes of each to you on Monday, also. 24 of each (24 CM, 24 SS)
of all the bolts are running, as are 24 of each (CM and SS) of the short and
long right hand receivers. I expect the short and long left hand receivers
early to mid next week. We'll try our best to get everything out before our
shutdown. While it is likely we will succeed in getting at least something
out to you before we leave, please understand I can't guarantee any
deliveries, and it's unlikely we'll get everything out. It is also unlikely
that we'll be able to get all your straightening fixtures up and running,
due to both time constraints and quantities available to tune in the
fixtures.

You'll probably have to hand work this next round of samples in. By doing
so, you'll be able to see exactly what needs to be reworked in the die
firsthand, rather than trying to figure it out from layout reports.

I'm reasonably confident that you'll be able to work these next samples into
firearms without too much trouble. If you don't think they'll work,
however, please let me know ASAP. We have quite a few samples committed to
the line which neither of us wants to pay for if they aren't going to work!

I hope after receipt of your package on Tuesday you'll be as excited as I am
about the progress we've made. Please call if you any questions.

Best regards,

Mark

Mark Gurney
Engineering Manager
Pine Tree Castings

I hope this gives everyone an idea of where we are at. Of course I expect someone to ask "So when are they going to be shipped?" That is an answer that I can only give an "estimate" to. I believe that the actions will "START" shipping within the next 3-4 weeks.

Which actions of any type will ship first? Low numbers of short-rights or something else? How many do you think you'll be able to ship a day once the machinery really gets up and rockin'?

rootbeer,
My educated guess will be that the Short Actions will start shipping first. We are working with two machine shops, so I expect that once they get rolling we'll ship an average of 50-100 per week

Dan

[ 07-18-2003, 01:20: Message edited by: Dan@Montana Rifle Co ]