Gunsmithing Bedding Screw Up

[shoot4fun]

So, after putting the Kidd 10-22 in a Tacticool stock and shooting it, I decided it needed a pressure point on the barrel. So, I get out my old (10 years) Miles Gilbert fiberglass bedding kit, read the instructions and start getting ready to bed it. I prep the stock by sanding off the paint, drilling a few shallow holes to help hold the bedding and place a couple pieces of masking tape for protecting the outside. I put a few wraps of tape around the barrel to get it set level and coat it with the supplied release agent. Then I mix the compound, pour it in, spread it around a bit and place the action in. Tighten the screw and then walk away. Next day I go to remove the action from the stock and see what my bedding looks like. Well, guess what. The BA won't come out.
Does release agent go bad over time? Or could I have just missed a spot with release agent? The instructions say to put in the freezer overnight but, as it is wood, will that ruin the stock?
Any other ideas? I would just forget about it and shoot it that way but the damn tape is stuck under the barrel too. WTF do I do?

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

put it in the freezer

 

[steelrainprecision]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

You may have mechanically locked it into the stock. Meaning some bedding compound may have made its way into a screw hole or portion of the action and now must be broken out to remove.

This is the most common mistake made when she doesn't pop right out.

Also, yes your release agent can go bad.

She's gonna have to come out of the stock. The bad news is it sounds like some of your bedding is going to come with it. If you don't have any luck getting it out. I had a few tricks up my sleeve.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

SR,
Not mechanically locked, as there are no screws, cracks or other areas for bedding to get into in that area. The bedding is way far front of the action.
Most likely the release agent went bad. I know I can freeze it out but was just looking for input on how 24 hrs in the freezer will affect the wood.
Thanks!
S4F

 

[2156SMK]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just looking for input on how 24 hrs in the freezer will affect the wood.</div></div>

The trees in wisconsin all seem to survive the winter and that's a lot longer than one overnight...

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

They are still attached to their roots and have not been machined and dried.

 

[trilogymac]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

You might try giving the barrel a firm rap with a rubber hammer from the bottom side just ahead of the forend? I have used some OLD release agent in the past without problems.

Hope this helps!!

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Point to ponder regarding freezing: How many firearms "survive" sub-freezing conditions on a regular basis? There are probably many wood-stock rifles that made it on hunting trips. Since wood stocks are dried wood, there is no moisture in the wood to freeze. Freeze and get a rubber hammer.

Good Luck,

Kevin

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Makes sense. I did try a rubber mallet but that didn't budge it. To the freezer it goes.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

On glue in BR's I've used an iron on top of the receiver to transfer heat to the bedding. Works good on most bedding compounds.

The freezer also works good.

 

[BradfromND]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

The freezer should work. I locked a Browning in the stock a few months back and stuck it in the freezer. I went and shot a match and came home a few hours later. It popped right apart when I got back home.

Another thing to try is to put a phone book on your bench and give the barrel a good hard rap on it while holding on to the stock. The phone book won't mar the finish on the barrel.

 

[Micdalen]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Occasionally while laying up epoxy based parts for the boats we will get adhesion, due to release agent going bad or a bad mix.

1. A sharp rap with a rubber mallet may get it to release.

2.If you are concerned with moisture absorption into the stock, you can place inside a large plastic bag, take a vacuum cleaner and suck the air out then tape close with duct tape. Then place it in the freezer. Although this will not remove all the moisture it will reduce the amount trapped in the bag or the stock being openly exposed.

3. You can also try using compressed air through the action mounting holes in the stock. Place the nozzle and give quick blasts of air. Sometime this will loosen it all the way. The air will force through what is not adhering and provide the pressure to pop it loose.

On another note I use pva release agent, pva release wax and johnsons wax for some of our projects. We use rule of thumb on the release agent that after 6 months it goes in the trash plain and simple. As with all chemical mixtures, time, and temperature will break them down. Also make sure whatever release agent you choose is compatible with the bedding compound being used. This comes from years of experience having to destroy custom one off molds due to bonding through my release agents.

 

[pure_mahem]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

you could buy some compressed air to insta freeze it. Then smack it real hard with the rubber mallet and I mean wack it don't baby tap it WHACK IT!!!

 

[Jim Buck]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Good luck. If you have one spot that wasn't treated properly you will have to cut it out.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

It's out. I took my heat gun on low and heated it up really good. Came back this morning with the rubber mallet and gave it a couple of whacks.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[BigBlue&Goldie]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

So how did the bedding turn out?

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Surprisingly, very nice. No voids at all. I'll take it out to the range in the morning to see if it worked.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Finally got to the range and shot the rifle. The bedding job worked. The flyers are gone and it shot some small groups at 50 yards. Now I think it is ready for the 22LR Sniper Match at my local range.

 

[tstevens]

Re: Bedding Screw Up

Glad to hear you got it out. Could it have possibly been seated a little below center to where the bedding was above the major diameter of the barrel?