Reproduction Snail Drum - progress

[G.T.]

Hi to all! Well, we've been pretty busy at the Tomek house over the last three months, with doctors, therapy, and hospitals, but I have found some time in the last few days to get back on task on the Numrich drums! As I mentioned before, I have 35 units for Numrich and 5 for customers that are currently undergoing revision and improvements.... I have decided that the very first task in the revision process, to be the most demanding one, and that is the relocation of the magazine catch notch.... It requires welding the notch closed, (.404" brass rod wedged in to retain internal radius, and as a heat soak) Then, I have to jig the drum up in a horizontal mill and cut the outside radius back to stock, then, I have to hand file and sand the radius to it's final dimension, then, I have to cut the top of the mag catch to the correct height, then, I have to plunge cut with a .250" to cut the curved part of the notch... then, I have to clean up the transition with a dremel tool.... I am at the plunge cut stage on all of them! but if you add up the opps at 6 X 40... I handle the drums 240 times! And, that isn't even the half of that parts revision.... Soooo, we're moving slow, but we're moving!.... And we are also trying hard to make every effort to improve every part of these things..... The main reason for the order of revision, is I have to have enough units to afford to have the batch re-black oxide coated.... So sometimes it seems I can't get there from here, but every day is a new start and new challenge!
On the other side, my grand daughter has fully recovered, we are blessed and convinced prayers do work! Carols recovery is considerably more difficult, and we are concerned about long term, both as in regard to mobility, and of course, just dealing with a lifetime of pain..... But, we are alive, and still going! (looks like pretty tough to stop us!) Best to all, and my life long gratitude to the members!.....til....lat'r....GT

[G.T.]

Hi to all, Well, finally got the mag catch notches cut and also the friction traps cut out of the shell interiors... and the current batch just went to the Black Oxide shop! When I dropped off my meager number of mag shells, I saw barrels and barrels of magazine shells from a major mag manufacture... The place I took my stuff to says he does over 2.2 million magazine shells a year for several major vendors?... While I was there I saw about 10 50 gal drums full of M1 carbine 30 round mag shells in the white... I told the owner I wished I owned his place and the mag manufactures place as well?..... He said, carful for what you wish for.... ... Anyway, with some recent trial and error efforts, I have been able to reduce the labor per mag from ludicrous to just ridiculous!!!! Polish internally seems to be the key... still... I am still trying different combinations of lube and any other idea I can think of to reduce friction... going to 400 W/D on this bunch, we shall see?.... Best to all, til.....lat'r....GT