Wedge

T

TemboTusk

New member
I have decided to mill a couple of wedges for my Pietta 44 caliber 1851. The wedge that came with the pistol is starting to show wear on the edges and I have needed to flatten the wedge once already.

As a bit of history on the pistol; I have two barrels. A short one and a long one. The short one is old and does not fit well and may have contributed to the wedge damage. I've discontinued using this barrel until I repair it. The other barrel is new and original to the gun.

I am using 1/4 inch flat stock as my source material for the new wedges.

The question is: Do I need to heat treat the wedges or harden the metal in some way?


Thanks for any insights!

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Can't say for sure, but the wedges in all my Colts seem to be very soft metal easily shaped with a file and/or sandpaper. My guess would be no.
 
TT

Here is my logic....

You can see the damage being done to the barrel and wedge as it is.

If you harden the wedge, then more likely the barrel will suffer the consequences. It is almost as though the wedge is acting as a sacrificial anode.

If you can whip them out pretty quickly I'd leave them as they are.

I can imagine a process by which you might actually make them about ten at a time. Do all the shaping and as the last step cut them apart putting the top channel in the one you are cutting off, just before cutting it off.

I did that with some of those clips I make to hold the loading lever on Walker Colts yesterday. Needed to make one and then I asked myself the question, "Hey, why don't I make this a little longer and then cut clips off one at a time." I only got three of them but now I have the technique down where I could make as many as five at a time.

I only have one Walker. I am going to sell the rest of them at $400.00 a piece on eVil bay so I can buy my next rifle.



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..... ;o)
 
Thanks guys. I guess thinking of the wedge as a sacrificial anode makes sense. Of all the parts, the wedge is the least expensive one to replace.

Hawg, you're right, it is miles cheaper to buy a new one from Taylor, but it was fun making one!
 
Precisely....

For me, the only way it makes financial sense is for me to consider that my time is worth about twenty cents an hour. (Which is about right)
 
I know I spend more time tinkering with these inexpensive BP pistols than they are worth. But, it is so much fun!

The wedge is a prime example! Why pay $15 for a part when you can spend five hours in the workshop building one for "Free"!! If you don't consider the $20 in metal, $10 in electricity, $20 to heat the workshop and the $750 milling machine ... you are miles ahead!!

Actual, I think the five hours in the workshop trumps all!
 
I just ordered 3 wedges from VTI for about $30 each. (ouch).

I thought about making my own but I don't have anything to use for the spring piece. So, I ordered them and they should be here any day now.

I'd like to try making one just to say I did so if you do make one, please share the process if you don't mind. Pictures and what tools you used would be nice.

Reading back, I realized your problem is different than mine and you'll probably reuse your current spring.
 
I looked at Taylor Firearms and the cost of a wedge with spring is about $15 here is a link: http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/parts/pietta-parts/pietta-1851-navy-parts.html (part #11) Rigamoral, I'd return the VTI parts and buy twice as many from Taylor!

I will put up some pictures in a bit.

I cut the spring channel to accommodate the screw head, however I don't intend to install a spring. The spring does not hold the wedge in place; as far as I know the spring is really used as a retention device when disassembling and removing the barrel. In other words, it helps keep the wedge from getting lost.
 
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A couple of pictures of my progress so far. I still need to sand, shape and fit the milled wedge.

In the top photo, the one on the left is the blank, the middle is the milled wedge and the right is the original wedge.

I'll post more pictures as I progress.

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01.jpg


02.jpg
 
Tembo...

... Awesome pics and nice work!!! :cool:

Doc said,
I am going to sell the rest of them at $400.00 a piece on eVil bay so I can buy my next rifle.
Click to expand...
I guess he made/sold me one WAY TOO cheap! Opps... but then he said,
my time is worth about twenty cents an hour
Click to expand...
No matter, I hear ya Doc, my job time is worth big bucks but my own time is worth peanuts... just ask my brother! LOL!!!

:D

Birch
 
TT I'm paying close attention, good pictures!!

Your link was for the 1860 not the Walker. However, I did a new search and they have the Walker wedge for $20. $5 more but $10 less than what I paid!

Where were you last week? I should have asked here first.

Bookmarking for later use.

I'm not sending them back because I need them for the weekend.

Thank you VERY much for the info.
 
Thanks for the cudos!

The wedge is done and fits. I'm now ready for testing & bluing. I need to work on the finish sanding and polishing a bit more before bluing.

The total job took three or four hours of unhurried work. The next one could be milled and finished much faster.
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05.jpg


04.jpg


03.jpg
 
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