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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Lee Speed Forum & Archive

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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
My BSA Lee Enfield Projects
      #311178 - 27/01/18 08:26 PM

Hello all. First post here.
My name is Kiernan, 35yo, I'm a New Zealander. Keen outdoorsman, firearms enthusiast and sufferer of Compulsive Engineering Syndrome. You'll see symptoms occasionally...

I'm building a couple of projects. These will be functional hunting rifles build to my specs and standards, but drawing inspiration from the Lee Speed legend.

I have my father's 1901/1896/SMLE bitser which I'm using as a development project.
Enroute (paid for and shipped, should see it next week) is a complete, sporterised BSA commercial rifle and two receivers, one a commercial BSA unit less bolt, the other a BSA 1901 VR marked receiver with bolt
I have a spare MLE bolt for the BSA receiver. All bolts have their dust lugs intact.
I have my eye on another BSA MLE receiver with enough giblets to make it go.

Dad's will go back to him after I've finished rebuilding it.

I like the look of the Officers pattern 2 carbine forestock and the ATI plastic buttstock thats on dad's rifle fits me quite well. So I'm going to scale off photos for the forestock to extend and build the one on the Sporter up then shape it and use it and the ATI buttstock as models.

Dust covers are also on the to do list, I've made up a pattern off a local example.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311181 - 27/01/18 09:37 PM

First project:
Dad's rifle. This has a long history in the family, and is a bitser that has been home modified by various people.
The barrel is pitted but still shootable, the headspace on the long side but still ok and the receiver has a number of holes from a home made but functional scope mount.
Currently it is at my local gunsmith having the barrel shortened to 19" and recrowned.

While I wait for this, I'll be ordering an XS Mauser rear sight from Brownells and a Williams streamlined front ramp, hood and blade.

I'll be building a hot bluing apparatus (Like this https://youtu.be/VHyoUF50rF0 ) and refinishing the rifle. Don't worry, I have some shot out barrels to experiment on first!

I'll also be doing more work on the gunstock duplicator I'm building. Should be finished within a month or two.

Once the rifle comes back I'll have to shim the sides of the trigger release bar on the cocking piece so that there's as little sideways slop in its raceway in the receiver as possible, and build a saddle to mount the XS sight on top, then sweat the front sight onto the barrel.
I'll have to fill in the holes, smooth everything out
That's as far as I've really planned. After that the details become... vague.
Then:

Building the stock.

And building the dust cover.


That's my plan so far. I'll post updates as I make progress.

Edited by KiernanNZ (27/01/18 09:39 PM)


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Sarg
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Reged: 20/01/07
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311203 - 28/01/18 07:11 AM

BIG project & a lot of work, good luck, don't waste your time building a dust cover, will take days & I think $75 should buy you one ?

Oh & no one sends firearm related items to NZ from the US any more from my experience at least not many, most will not even reply (there's another country out side the US ?) I've been building & rebuilding BSA Sporters/Lee Speeds for over 15yrs & still haven't finished many of them !

If you get time post some photos .


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paradox_
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Reged: 12/05/07
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Sarg]
      #311212 - 28/01/18 10:27 AM

Kiernan

Quite a project. Keep us up to date, keen to see some progress pictures.

--------------------
Walk softly and carry a big stick


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Rell
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Reged: 03/12/04
Posts: 642
Loc: Oyster Bay, NY, USA
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: paradox_]
      #311280 - 29/01/18 01:21 PM

Do you have a 5 round magazine for it or are you keeping the 10 rounder?

Is there a source for 5 rounders currently? I am 90% certain my uncle had one for his modified military he bought in Ottawa many years ago.

--------------------
450-400, 9.3x74r and 7x65r.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Rell]
      #311293 - 29/01/18 04:27 PM

Quote:

I've been building & rebuilding BSA Sporters/Lee Speeds for over 15yrs & still haven't finished many of them !




Some projects are never truly 'finished'.

Rell: Magazines: I think one of each will do the trick. Already been given a ten round to cut down for it. It's a bit stuffed.

Aaand welded up the bed for my wood duplicator. 1900x800 of 75x75x3 aluminum shs with a couple of bits of 100x75x3 crosswise along the length of it.

Edited by KiernanNZ (29/01/18 04:55 PM)


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311524 - 02/02/18 08:39 PM

Some pics of my 'New' rifles...





VR 1901 marked receiver


Commercial receiver No1
Small VR stamp on barrel along with ER mark and partially stamped over GR mark on front ring of receiver.
From the VR mark I have concluded that it is at least 1901 or prior.
Unfortunately the bolt that came with this rifle didn't have the dust cover lugs intact, just the stubs left over after a rough chop off job. So I'm now looking for another bolt.
Ignore the 2 stage trigger- that's me seeing if it will fit and function...


Commercial receiver No2
Small GR mark on front ring of receiver dates this from at least 1910, however the serial number beside the front recoil lug is lower than receiver No1, leading me to think that it's possibly also pre 1901. Please correct me if I'm wrong.


Edited by KiernanNZ (02/02/18 09:52 PM)


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311525 - 02/02/18 08:43 PM

And after these soothing images of Victorian Splendour, how about some Techno-Heresy?

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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311527 - 02/02/18 09:14 PM

I know they're not Lee Enfield based rifles, but here is a post with a couple of my other projects:

What would you say if I said that I had built a bullpup rifle stock that converted a rotating bolt action into a straight pull?

"Rubbish" I hear many exclaim. "Can't be done without a CAD suite, CNC machine shop and 3d printer!"
Well, feast your eyes below!
The scope is affixed with tape to test the height of the scope and mount arrangement, see if the packer I had put in was thick enough.
The base rifle is a Marlin XT17



And the scroll cam


My Compulsive Engineering Syndrome was certainly playing up the day I started that one...

Live fire function test: https://youtu.be/GQ2GNCu1GqA

The mechanicals are done, I'm presently building the woodwork for it.


And here's the other stock I built.
New Zealand Black Beech (Nothofagus Solandri, iirc)
The shape is as close to the Thompson/Center Dimension as I could get it, as I tried one and it fit me perfectly, so I copied the buttstock shape with this.
The base rifle is a CBC Model 122





It's still a bit thick in places and surprisingly heavy, so I may slim it down a bit yet.

So yeah, I've got a pretty good idea of just how much work I'm putting myself in for...

Edited by KiernanNZ (02/02/18 09:46 PM)


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311572 - 03/02/18 04:16 PM

And the duplicator I mentioned progress to date:


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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
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Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311584 - 03/02/18 06:46 PM

Looking good and looks like you are having fun building it.

Waidmannsheil.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.


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englishman_ca
.224 member


Reged: 05/08/17
Posts: 31
Loc: Almaguin, Ontario, Canada
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #311635 - 04/02/18 05:28 AM

Nice projects. Wot do you do in your spare time? lol.

I'll have a crack at dating the two commercial actions and others will hopefully correct me if I am wrong.
I've been collecting and actively studying martial Lee Metfords and Enfields for 35 years. I still consider myself a student.
Being a military collector, commercial Lees are something relatively new to me.

I think that the two commercial BSA actions are likely to be post WWI.
If they were 1901 would they not display the LEE-SPEED PATENTS banner?

A VR marking isn't conclusive with regards to date.
Some inspectors didn't get updated stamps for the new monarch right away.
You mention that there are also ER and GR markings?
These sound like govt proof marks? Military barrel?

When you get the chance show us some details of the markings, please, otherwise we are just guessing.
Dating commercial Lees is currently my interest, a new challenge.
They are not always easy peg. Often only to a window of years.
Proof marks can help narrow it down.


The bolt with the chopped dust cover lugs could be repaired.
I have managed to make new lugs and silver soldered them back on.
Not really much stress for them to hold the cover.

Edited by englishman_ca (04/02/18 05:50 AM)


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: englishman_ca]
      #311792 - 06/02/18 06:14 PM

Dad's rifle came back from the gunsmith today, trimmed down to 19".
Couple of photos back in its ATI plastic stock.





And a progress report
Cross carriage welded up. Work clamps and router/follower/counterweight to go.





Edited by KiernanNZ (06/02/18 06:22 PM)


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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #311796 - 06/02/18 06:48 PM

Looks good, just make sure that their is plenty of weight in the machine or else you will get chatter very quickly. Keep up the good work and thanks for posting.

Waidmannsheil.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #312149 - 10/02/18 03:57 PM

Thank you englishman_ca for doing what you could to date those receivers.
It's a little disappointing to know that they're not pre world war one but still cool to know something more than I did.

Hoping to get the order away for the sights this coming week. Financial constraints...

Some progress on the duplicator:



Notice that ive made the router mount adjustable in three places over a 50mm range. The follower will also be adjustable.

Sooner or later I'll get to do some work on the actual rifles!

That said, I'll probably spend less time building this than I would carving the stock purely by hand...


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englishman_ca
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Reged: 05/08/17
Posts: 31
Loc: Almaguin, Ontario, Canada
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #312173 - 11/02/18 04:15 AM

I am watching your duplicator come together with great interest.

Starting out carving stocks by hand, it would take me about a month to do just one working at the bench in the evenings.

I too built myself a duplicator and now a LE fore stock can be roughed out and a first fit up done in a day if I get motivated.

But finding time to get into the shop is the challenge. Life gets in the way sometimes.

It seems that the heavier and more rigid the duplicator, the more accurate it is making a copy.
I got the chance to check out a couple of commercial units ($$$$$$).
Built heavy like a machine tool, they probably weighed in at over a ton.

The only thing that I can comment upon is that you will likely need to put some form of brush wipers on the carriage to prevent the wheels from bumping along the rails over wood chips. Those chips go flying and get into everywhere.
Either that or simply have a brush or an airline ready to blow things clear.
Duplicators can create a lot of dust and crap, very messy for the corner of the shop.
They do however produce buckets of walnut sawdust that is great for use as floor-dry to soak up oil spills etc..

My rig uses linear bearings running on one inch centerless ground bar in X and Y directions, they have rubber seals to keep the sawdust out.


And what is happening to the word-wrap feature of the text on this page??? Wot I see ain't wot I get. One paragraph is displayed as one line.

--------------------
Look to your front, mark your target when it comes.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: englishman_ca]
      #312194 - 11/02/18 11:01 AM

Quote:

And what is happening to the word-wrap feature of the text on this page??? Wot I see ain't wot I get. One paragraph is displayed as one line.




Perhaps my enormous photos have stretched the page out...

Edited by KiernanNZ (11/02/18 11:03 AM)


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #312376 - 14/02/18 02:56 PM

I've got the order away for the front and rear sight and some Mark Lee Express Brown rust bluing solution. It has shipped from Brownells USA, don't know yet exactly when I'll see it. Probably be a week or two.

I've also had to pause work on the duplicator for a week or two while I wait for some parts to be lasered, and a guide for the follower to ship out of China.
The guy at work who runs the laser department is doing my bits for beer...


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #312863 - 22/02/18 05:20 PM

Hello all! My sights have arrived. Also some Mark Lee Express Brown #2 to try out. Got a few old stuffed barrels to play with. And the bit from China for the duplicator showed up too.

The following photos are of the bits temporarily attached.













Edited by KiernanNZ (22/02/18 05:25 PM)


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Sarg
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Reged: 20/01/07
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #312873 - 22/02/18 09:28 PM

Cool, well done, looks like she has been drilled & tapped for a couple of peep sights already, I have one that goes on those holes on the left hand side a Sportage of some type, I think any way !

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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Sarg]
      #312912 - 23/02/18 04:18 PM

My bits for the duplicator arrived today.
Unfortunately I have to work this weekend and I'm being sent to a different city for the next week, so I won't get anything done between now and next weekend.



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Risalder
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Reged: 21/10/15
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Loc: Queensland, Australia
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #313610 - 07/03/18 01:13 PM

I believe S-K make Lee Enfield 5 round magazines (for .308 as well)from vague memory they had to come from Sud Afrika and was a mega drama to get to Australia and the Aussie agent wasn't interested in ordering just a couple. Your rules may be different over there but sounds like you've got it sorted anyway

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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Risalder]
      #315189 - 11/04/18 07:11 PM

Hello all

Been away for a while, but nothing much has been happening, so you haven't missed anything.
My gunsmith has gotten very interested in converting the rifle to 7x57R. He had his own .303 Magazine Lee Enfield project with a BSA service pattern target rifle action (much like my own).

However now that he's had a good look at the 7x57R round and had a play with it, he's going to build himself one in 7x57R. (Better selection of projectiles had a lot to do with it)

He shoots a 7mm competitively (.284 something or other) and so has access to cast off target barrels (which while... worn out for top end long range target shooting, will be more than adequate for a hunting rifle)
Because of this, I've managed to prise from his grasp a brand new Parker Hale 7x57 Mauser barrel which he's agreed to fit to my action, as sort of a trial project for his own.

He's currently got my router bits to build threaded follower tips and bore and tap the follower bar.
I've gone up a size from 10mm round bar to 12mm round bar, so I'm waiting for new clamps off aliexpress to build the last bits of the duplicator.
I can't leave it assembled at work too much (workshop is too small and we've gotten a bit busy) so I'll probably spend a weekend in it once I've got all the bits, get it finished. Then have a play...


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yumastepside
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Reged: 25/10/15
Posts: 464
Loc: Tasmania Australia
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #315195 - 12/04/18 06:32 AM

You'll love the Enfield in 7x57R, I've had one for about the last twenty odd years....No.I Mk.III rebarrelled with an old 1908 Brazilian Mauser barrel by Larry Sims back in the eighty's, and still using his original 154gr handloads....no mag changes, no feeding mods, works like a charm! I've just started to restock it from the old cut down mil stock.



...a couple of earlier incarnations...

Roger

--------------------
If you live for a thousand years, you still only have one life, don't waste it.


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Sarg
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: yumastepside]
      #315203 - 12/04/18 07:43 PM

Yes I was going to do a Speeder in 7X57R as I know a guy with a heap of brass, 8X57R was also a thought, I have seen a real BSA/Lee Speed in 6.5X53R to !

Yumastepside, your one is looking better with the fore end work, when I cut one down like that I use the cut off piece to fill the old sight protector slots, you can make the block a tight fit & use the screw hole on the bottom the hold it while it drys, then cut out the middle !


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Sarg]
      #317331 - 16/06/18 03:19 PM

Some more progress on the duplicator. I'm hoping to have it running by the end of the week.
Got the follower mounts attached, dialled in and welded. Gunsmith is doing the actual follower and tips.







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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Sarg]
      #318003 - 13/07/18 09:28 AM

Well... some more progress on the duplicator. All done now exept for the linkage between the two sets of clamps.
Off work at the moment (flu) so once it warms up (winter here, Dunedin, New Zealand, frosty start but sunny day) I'm going out to my shed to have a look at the cocking piece mounted sights on my fathers rifle.

I'm also looking at using one of those Parker Hale fold down aperture sights for my 7x57R.
I'll look more seriously once it's actually put together.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #318269 - 19/07/18 08:27 PM





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93x64mm
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Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3987
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #318284 - 20/07/18 06:14 AM

Getting there matey!
No flex anywhere by the looks of the photos, certainly impressive work.


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #318305 - 20/07/18 08:37 PM

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=296683&an=0&page=0#Post296683

Quote:

Free photo resizing web page
#296683 - 10/03/17 04:19 AM (1.125.48.182)
Edit post Edit Reply to this post Reply Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply Quick Reply

http://www.photosize.com/

A webpage offering free photo resizing. Very large photos distort the forums so a photo or image of approximately 1024 pixels or less wide is advisable.

NE recommends LANDSCAPE images be resized to no more than 1024 pixels in width.

PORTRAIT photos should have a width of less than 1024 as the height of the image will need a lot of scrolling depending on the resultant image height. NE recommends approximately 600 pixels for a PORTRAIT image. Depending on its height.

The webpage works by allowing you to select an oversize image, select its new width in pixels, and then the image to downloaded to your PC. You then need to upload the smaller image to a web image hosting site or other net account.




A free site that allows you to resize your photos to a manageable size before posting them on the Forums.

About 1024 pixels wide is a good maximum.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: NitroX]
      #318329 - 21/07/18 02:57 PM

Ok, I'll resize for future pics.

First run of the duplicator
Aaand it was a disaster. Good thing that it was only some cheap Macrocarpa.
Still, a few lessons learnt:

1: Watch your bit to make sure that it doesn't move in the collet!
It had gone about 1/4 inch in the collet before I noticed, with somewhat... bad... results.

2: Find a better way to index the blank to the pattern
One side was pretty close to the roughsawn.

3: Put a 100mm spacer in each end instead of 50mm, at least until die grinder is fitted.
The mounting bar and collar that the router goes into interferes with the faceplates.

The die grinder I'm getting has a long, narrow neck that will put the bar and collar well above the collet and bit.

As it didn't come with instructions, I'm having to learn as I go along. All good fun.


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englishman_ca
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Reged: 05/08/17
Posts: 31
Loc: Almaguin, Ontario, Canada
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #318355 - 23/07/18 12:59 AM

I had a hard climb up that learning curve. I too had a bit move on me the first time, just as I was getting near to finishing. I keep that first attempt hanging on the wall as a reminder.

Take your time, check and recheck as you go!

Make lots of sawdust and scrap wood. You will quickly learn as to what works well and what doesn't. I try to rotate the piece in only the one direction and move the cutter pushing 'against the cut'. This helps eliminate back lash and to compensate for the deflection in my low end rig.

Every time that you do one, it will be a little bit better.

--------------------
Look to your front, mark your target when it comes.


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: englishman_ca]
      #318356 - 23/07/18 02:04 AM

Good job KiernanNZ - hell of a big one. I hope you can make it pay.
Best wishes

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: DarylS]
      #319072 - 14/08/18 06:48 PM

Finally got the Ghost Ring aperture sight fitted













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93x64mm
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Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #319079 - 15/08/18 06:02 AM

Has the ghost ring been brazed/soldered onto your bolt Kiernan?

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KiernanNZ
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Reged: 11/01/18
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Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: 93x64mm]
      #319162 - 18/08/18 05:51 PM

Soldered.
I chose to do that because it doesn't get hot enough to mess with any heat treatment of the cocking piece.
Although I believe that they case hardened this part. Correct me if I'm wrong.


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KiernanNZ
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Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #319331 - 25/08/18 07:09 PM

Still having issues with the duplicator.The workpiece is flexing at the barrel end of the pattern when the follower is on it, allowing the cutter to dig deeper into the practise piece than I wanted.
My older brother (also a tradesman engineer) came up with a suggestion which we then elaborated on.

He suggested a row of holes around each plate, and door bolts to lock them with.

After some changes:
I'll have to get the faceplates remade, but with numbered grooves all the way around the outside of the discs. A sliding plate at each end will lock into these grooves and lock the faceplates together, the numbering will allow it to be indexed together.

Oh joy.
Well. Local clubs Skeet competition tomorrow.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #320441 - 07/10/18 04:50 PM

Finally some progress:
My blueing apparatus up and running:


And insulated:


Those who've seen the film 'Undercover Brother' will get the reference:
Blackness Confirmed!


Alterations to gunstock duplicator- locking faceplates and sliding lock plates fitted, die grinder replacing router to give extra plunge depth before hitting the collar:


First practice stick:



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Sarg
.400 member


Reged: 20/01/07
Posts: 1365
Loc: Nil
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #320444 - 07/10/18 09:25 PM

Awesome, well done, your a clever bugger eh !

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93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3987
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: Sarg]
      #320463 - 08/10/18 08:10 AM

Will have to redo your photos matey?
Shame they're playing up, very interesting following your work!


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: 93x64mm]
      #320475 - 08/10/18 07:52 PM

Are the pics not showing up for you?
I have resized... kind of got told off by the mods for posting rugby field size pics so ever since then I've been resizing.


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93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3987
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #320484 - 09/10/18 07:29 AM

I think your first ones on this thread were too large (physical size wise), the ones of blueing tank etc look the same definition (& physical size) as a all other photos on this forum to me?
Guess we'll find out mate if you've made them too big again - really well thought out work you're doing there mate, tell us about the bluing tank if you can please?


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: 93x64mm]
      #320529 - 10/10/18 06:47 PM

It's a big stainless pot with a 4ft piece of 6" stainless flue welded to the lid and opened up through the lid. Currently insulated with a polarfleece blanket tied on, in time it'll have proper lagging. (The 'stack')
The u shaped slots at the top are 22mm wide by about 30 deep and the stick is 20mm dowel. Slots in the lid are much the same.
All this sits on a gas burner on its own cast iron stand.

I hang the parts in the stack using stainless steel mig wire.

I use a fume applicator to apply the blueing solution.
This is an aromatic oil burner with a stainless egg cup on top. The ceramic dish that came with it didn't last long...
A small dish of methylated spirits provides the heat to evaporate the solution (I use the aluminium cup off a cheap tealight candle... don't use the actual candle for this, some of the wax only evaporates instead of burning and can stick to the parts and prevent them from rusting.)
It sits in the pot on an upturned fruit tin as a stand to keep it out of the water. Some pieces of 30x10mm wood strips act as spacers for an air gap.

The blueing solution that I used was Mark Lee express brown solution. Yes browning. They both go black when you steam them. Just browning solution goes coffee black not blue black.
And Brownells won't ship the Mark Lee Express blue international...

I found this to be a good instructional.
https://youtu.be/VHyoUF50rF0

The differences in my process are that I use the stack both as the fume applicator/humidity box and steam chamber.
Keep the water about 2-4" deep. This is important later.
Once you've done the first heat cycle, back off the heat but keep the pot just simmering while you card the parts.
Now turn the gas off.
Put a splash of solution (just a few drops really) into the egg cup, fill the meths cup.
Have to work quick here, get it all done before the fumes start to come up.
Lift the stack off the pot. Put the parts back into the stack and the lid on.
Put the stand in the centre, put the applicator on it, light the meths.
Put the wooden sticks on and then the stack back over the pot.
Check through the airgap that the meths is still burning.
This is where the hot water helps, as its steam is going up the stack as well, assisting in the rusting process.

Leave it for 5-7 minutes for the meths to burn out.
Once this is done, remove fume applicator, stand and sticks, start gas burner to get the water boiling vigorously. I leave it for about 30 minutes for a heat cycle.


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KiernanNZ
.224 member


Reged: 11/01/18
Posts: 27
Loc: Dunedin, New Zealand
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #323817 - 25/01/19 09:00 PM

Hello all... been a while!
I've made some progress on my father's rifle.
Peep sight soldered on, blueing completed, and stock carved out on the duplicator.
The forestock is nearly finished, glass bedded and sanded smooth.
The buttstock is out of the duplicator, I've fitted the wrist into the socket and handed it on to my gunsmith to bore in the lathe (like this: https://youtu.be/nQJt_o6e-TQ )

For the forestock, I used my ATI plastic stock as a pattern to build a pattern by putting a stick of Macrocarpa 825x65x65 into the duplicator, and only carving it to the front of the checkering and carving the rest by hand.
I had to splice two pieces of wood together to get enough length. Mostly Walnut with Matai, a New Zealand native hardwood making up the forend tip.
The buttstock is a direct copy of the ATI one, all walnut.

Walnut forestock with ATI buttstock.




Building my forestock pattern.


Buttstock in the duplicator.




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Sarg
.400 member


Reged: 20/01/07
Posts: 1365
Loc: Nil
Re: My BSA Lee Enfield Projects [Re: KiernanNZ]
      #323819 - 25/01/19 10:25 PM

Nice work, your machine came up good !

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