lapping...how does it work?
i have an alloy slide that needs to be fit to a steel frame. it goes maybe 1/3 of the way on but then stops dead. explain to me what lapping does? is it an abrasive? is it just old fashioned elbow grease and time that eventually wears the slide into the rails? [?]
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LAPPING (SLIDE TO FRAME) USES A FINE ABRASIVE COMPOUND TO WEAR THE PARTS TOGETHER FASTER THAN NORMAL WEAR-IN. FOR THIS, USE #400 GRIT TO START AND FINISH WITH 800 (BOTH AVAIABLE FROM BROWNELLS). 0 -
I would recommend the use of what is called lapping paste. 3 M makes one called clover lapping compound. It is similar in consistency to rubbing compound used in the auto industry. If you use 400-600 grit paper to get the slide to fit all the way, you can apply this paste and use it to do final fit. 0 -
so is it the slide that is being sanded or the frame or both with this paste or compound? is it wise to sand the slide then lap or shouldnt they both be fitted together? 0 -
Bobski. Hold the presses and the "compund soaked elbow grease"!!![?]
You did say "alloy slide"? Normally it is the frame that is alloy and the slide steel. Are you fitting a .22 Cal. conversion kit (aluminum slide) to a steel frame?
I hope you are not trying to fit a titanium part to steel... (with any kind of abrasive compound)
When fitting "soft alloy" parts to steel, the use "aluminum oxide" or other "fragmentable crystallized" abrasives is definetely not advisable. These abrasive crystals will "embed" themselves in the alloy and remain there, continuing to wear/grind the corresponding part and itself beyond the desirable limits wanted for quite some time after the work is finished.
Instead try using some smaller files and ceramic stones, carefully untill a suficient fit has been achieved. Do not finish/honing with a "valve grinding" compund paste of any kind. If you must then use a paste made from "organic" softer non-embeding material. Or, polish with a felt "wheel/bob" shaped to the contour and impregnated with a "wax based polishing bar" such as white diamond. Fit a little bit over minimum specs to avoid galling later on.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it anyway... make it better!" (RadCat)0 -
i have a hi standard model 101 22 short target gun. the original slide was cracked when someone shot 22LR's with it. i have the new slide and installed all the old part to it. now all i have to do is fit teh new alloy(aluminum) slide to the steel frame. 0 -
Hello BOBSKI I have not forgotten you H.S.sight just have not had time to go get it as far as lapping When you fit a slide to frame you just do maybe an inch or two at a time you start with the frame rails and with some spacers you peen 1 inch or so until you can just slide the slide on the frame with some tightness then put JB bore cleaner on parts and work the slide back and forth until almose no drag then go to another inch of frame and repete until you have done both sides from front to back. This will take out the up and down play. Now place the slide in a padded jaw vice "works better with an index on the handle of vice" you squeeze the slide until you get drag and then use the J.B. again this will take out the side to side play. The jb will not embed into steel how ever I have never used on alloy as I think I would never buy anything but blued steel I don't even like stainless. "PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN" Brownell's sells a handle to go in the barrel bushing slot to work the slide and also steel spacers to help from peening the rails too far 0 -
I have fitted a few of those "short aluminum slides" on High Standards. Not difficult at all. Usually they fit as they come from factory.
A little bit of "file work" will put you right on. Because of the small area of the rail and the narrow thickness of the slide you must not remove too much material. The slide too must go in rather on the loose margin for it to work properly. Never needed any abrasives while fitting these guns, just small "fine" files, and some small ceramic stones/files for removing high spots and burrs and final honing. Then a good lubricant finished the job.
Bobski. I'm surprised you didn't "know" the answer to this. Or, were you just trying to "experiment" with lapping compunds to see if you could get a "closer" fit? The wrong abrasives would definetely ruin your High Standard parts.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it anyway... make it better!" (RadCat)0 -
never lapped an alloy slide before. all my lapps were steel on steel.
just wanted to make sure i wasnt missing anything! thanks to all! hey, anyone have a 'rear sight wear post' to a model l01 hi std olympic? its the round little deal that pops into the slide under the sight elevation screw. gp is out. perry, got one?0 -
bobski, call our buddy Steve.
OleDuk[:D]
"Disperse you Rebels; Damn you,throw down your arms and disperse!"
British Major John Pitcairn, April 19, 1775. He fell at Bunker Hill two months later.0 -
he's never in town and always working on some boat![:)] 0
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