Disaster struck this evening, but a recovery was made.
I over milled while cutting the inside web area on the left side and came close to the hole where the axle goes. Just not paying attention and turned the crank the wrong way.
This mistake was cosmetically unbearable.
Having to start this all over after so much effort was just not an option. What to do?
Some time ago I went to the Harbour Freight retail store in Allentown, PA and I picked up some stainless arc welding rods. I never knew you could stick weld stainless. I figured it was a MIG/TIG only. I bought some rods just to see how they would work (and then promptly forgot about them) These are Weldit brand 308L rods 3/32".
Now let me say, I don't have a fancy arc welder. In fact, it's little 70 amp portable unit that I bought at Walmart for about $80 a few years ago.
I first took some scrap stainless and practiced on it. These stainless rods are tricky to use. Very difficult to get the arc started. I discovered that I would get best results by pre-heating the item first with a propane torch.
So, I was able to fill in the mistake. Here is a shot of "stock stainless" after the weld.
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dcp01228.jpg
One thing I noticed after this procedure is that you can straw stainless. I think I'll tuck that little tidbit away for use later
So, after a little more machining I arrive at the following :
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dcp01229.jpg
How do you like my hand? I had to get that in the shot. It more than anything summerizes the evening.
It's not all finished yet but most of the complicated milling is now out of the way. There will be much more filing, grinding & polishing to do. Need to radius up around the axle hole. I'm going to leave the main body squared off for now, until I decide how to mill the lug slot (it will be easier to clamp into the vice)
As you can see, I've only deviated slighty from the original design. I left the inside web the same width as the tangs. Naturally, this will not be noticable once mounted in the stock.
It's not as perfect as I would like, but nothing ever is. I'd have to say, to date, this is one of the most complex items I have ever milled.