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G.T. · 07-02-2020, 11:32 PM

I usually only write about the success, or small gains made during the Luger snail drum repair or revisions... At this point in time, something new is a rare occurrence, but today it came around in spades!!!!

Early in the day, right after mail delivery, I found myself at the repair bench with a nice early AEG drum, with the only real necessary task was to replace the follower which went missing somewhere between today, and 1916? Well, when I got it apart, I noticed a hitch in the mainspring when almost to the lever lock, so I decided the mainspring needed some lube, and as long as it was on the bench, why not! Well, in retrospect, I can now, with some confidence, tell you exactly why not!
Getting the drum apart was a bit of a struggle, and after achieving that goal, and oiling the spring, it was back together time, and so I started down the path, all the while feeling like this is no sweat, I've done this many times before, and I have? The problem is, the drum doesn't know this and behaves the way it wants to, most of the time, badly! This time was no exception. I had the drum backplate and spring cup, lying on the back, winding lever side, and with a Nylon drift I was tapping on the mainspring to level the coils in order to install the cover? When I gave it a tap, all hell broke loose!!! (is this beginning to sound familier???) The small winding lever retaining detent pin had broken off in the retaining slot on the spring cup, releasing the full power of the, up until then, fully tensioned mainspring! The cup and baseplate were violently spinning clockwise, while the winding lever was violently spinning counter clockwise, with my hands cupping both! The reaction reminded me of counter rotating torpedo propellers? It was painful, but entertaining! I have this deal with God, he ignores my rare outbursts of profanity, cuz he knows I'm going to pray he didn't hear that right afterword's? Anyway, all is ok, I just have to make the retaining pin and re-install, etc. etc. One step forwards, two steps back... catch your balance, thank God for the day, and go at it again in the morning! Best to all, til....lat'r.....GT...

07-02-2020, 11:32 PM	#1
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	Drum Beat! What NOT to do!!! I usually only write about the success, or small gains made during the Luger snail drum repair or revisions... At this point in time, something new is a rare occurrence, but today it came around in spades!!!! Early in the day, right after mail delivery, I found myself at the repair bench with a nice early AEG drum, with the only real necessary task was to replace the follower which went missing somewhere between today, and 1916? Well, when I got it apart, I noticed a hitch in the mainspring when almost to the lever lock, so I decided the mainspring needed some lube, and as long as it was on the bench, why not! Well, in retrospect, I can now, with some confidence, tell you exactly why not! Getting the drum apart was a bit of a struggle, and after achieving that goal, and oiling the spring, it was back together time, and so I started down the path, all the while feeling like this is no sweat, I've done this many times before, and I have? The problem is, the drum doesn't know this and behaves the way it wants to, most of the time, badly! This time was no exception. I had the drum backplate and spring cup, lying on the back, winding lever side, and with a Nylon drift I was tapping on the mainspring to level the coils in order to install the cover? When I gave it a tap, all hell broke loose!!! (is this beginning to sound familier???) The small winding lever retaining detent pin had broken off in the retaining slot on the spring cup, releasing the full power of the, up until then, fully tensioned mainspring! The cup and baseplate were violently spinning clockwise, while the winding lever was violently spinning counter clockwise, with my hands cupping both! The reaction reminded me of counter rotating torpedo propellers? It was painful, but entertaining! I have this deal with God, he ignores my rare outbursts of profanity, cuz he knows I'm going to pray he didn't hear that right afterword's? Anyway, all is ok, I just have to make the retaining pin and re-install, etc. etc. One step forwards, two steps back... catch your balance, thank God for the day, and go at it again in the morning! Best to all, til....lat'r.....GT...