Gunsmithing Tig welding Rem Bolt

[dareposte]

So I've got a friend who is an amazing and certified TIG welder, but he has never welded a Remington bolt handle before.

He offered his skill up to do it, and I'd like to take him up on it but was wondering if there are any common problems with doing it, or areas not to weld. Looking at the clearances it looks like it would be a bad idea to weld on the front part of the bolt handle.

Can anyone post a pic of their Tig-welded Remington factory bolt handle? Or advice on where to weld and the best way to do it?

Thanks!

 

[jasonk]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

I wouldn't let him do it to mine. It's not just welding that's important, it's welding it in the right spot, getting the timing right, etc.

 

[GasLight]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

Yes, the timing is the critical thing to look at with the bolt handle. The handle needs to be positioned so it gives the best primary extraction, and so that it also stops the bolt rotation at the perfect spot to allow the lugs to slide into the raceway without binding up when the bolt is opened all the way. The gap between the front of the bolt handle and the rear of the action needs to be somewhere in the .005" range IIRC. I would think properly done, you could weld around the whole handle and then clean it up in the critical areas. Placement of the handle is paramount, as it likely isn't easy to un-weld and start over...

DD

 

[GasLight]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

I tried to grab a link, but I don't have youtube at work. I believe it is Straight Shot gunsmithing who has a video explaining everything that goes into timing a bolt handle. There was also a picture on here in the photo gallery that showed a nice jig made to locate the handle on the bolt in preparation to welding. A couple things you might search for. If you buddy is an excellent tig welder, and you learn about proper timing of the handle, it would be awesome to have someone local to do that kind of work for you

DD

 

[Cinch]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/vie...tm_medium=image

 

[PCR]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cinch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/vie...tm_medium=image</div></div>

Good video, thanks!

 

[Cinch]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

Yep, great video. Really helps you understand bolt timing. Nate is a great guy as well.

 

[thefitter]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

Are you just wanting to reinforce the handle? Or is this a new installation?

 

[Turk]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

Check w/ Dans40X on here; he runs http://www.accu-tig.com/ . As good as it gets!

 

[dareposte]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

Yeah the handle is already brazed or soldered or whatever Remington does to it at the factory, I was just going to have him weld around the perimeter to reinforce it.

This is not an all new installation but it looks to be much more complex than I thought it would be so maybe I'll just send it out to someone with a fixture and the experience to do it right.

 

[Pa. Patriot]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dareposte</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah the handle is already brazed or soldered or whatever Remington does to it at the factory, I was just going to have him weld around the perimeter to reinforce it.

This is not an all new installation but it looks to be much more complex than I thought it would be so maybe I'll just send it out to someone with a fixture and the experience to do it right. </div></div>

Yeah, you can't just weld around the existing handle as in order to get a clean weld the handle must be removed to facilitate removing all of the braze. Then re-timed and welded.

 

[Clark]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cinch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/vie...tm_medium=image </div></div>

Who is that, in the video?

 

[GasLight]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

Pretty sure it is Nathan Dagley of Straight Shot Gunsmithing.

 

[dareposte]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pa. Patriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Yeah, you can't just weld around the existing handle as in order to get a clean weld the handle must be removed to facilitate removing all of the braze. Then re-timed and welded. </div></div>

Sounds a bit too involved for what I'd be able to do, the video was great and clarified a lot of the timing for me.

 

[dammitall]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

When having the bolt tigged and a handle intalled, I suppose the installer needs the entire rifle?

I ask because the only broken bolt handles I have seen have have the knobs but have not been tigged; I guess the extra leverage and a little excitement did them in.

I've got an unfired 700 5R that I want trued and painted (don't like shiny stuff). Priced through at GAP was about $800 for work and coating. Almost as much as the rifle.

What's the best order of work to go about this?
Maybe I should shoot it first to see if it's worth the investment though I haven't heard of a lousy 5R. Lemons happen occasionally, just haven't heard of one.

Interested in what the experts think about this so I can plan for the work; one vendor would be ideal.

 

[TNT]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

I'm interested in the welding process and locations. Remove handle, clean and prep surfaces, tack weld, check timing, then fusion weld? It's a pretty small part, but are there any weld prep grooves or tabs and any overfill used? Probably many ways to skin this cat, and probably only a few good ones.

Finally got the video loaded. Very informative. I thought I had an idea how complex a good attachment job was, but it looks to still have a lot more to it than I had thought.

 

[Clark]

Re: Tig welding Rem Bolt

When a Mauser bolt handle is TIG welded, the original stub is left in tact, so many of the concerns covered in the video are not considered.