nononsense - skim bed the action?

geeguy

March 01, 2009 12:52

nononsense - on one of the posts you talk about "skim bedding the action". Please explain what this is. Although mostly a pistol and shotgun shooter, I try to follow some of the technical issues for a rifle. I assume this is just a light coating of epoxy to assure the Alum. block stays in place in relationship to the stock and barrel.

Thanks

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  nononsense

  March 01, 2009 13:23

  geeguy,
  
  Exactly right in that it's a thin coating.
  
  The reason for the skim bedding at all is that the aluminum block is never the exact size and fit to each and every action screwed into it. The thin coat of epoxy makes up for the little variations in the surface of the block and size differences between the action and the block. It acts to provide a continuous, smooth surface to spread the stress across.
  
  Best.

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  geeguy

  March 01, 2009 16:10

  Thanks for the education. I had never heard the term.

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  nononsense

  March 04, 2009 05:11

  geeguy,
  
  Being out of town curtails some of the things I can do with responses to some questions. Time constraints don't always leave me the time to find the photos I have access to.
  
  I managed to find this photograph that I knew I had in file that illustrates the skim bedding that you asked about. I'm sorry it's so late.
  
  
  
  This is an HS stock with the aluminum bedding block that has had the epoxy applied in light coat.
  
  Best.

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  geeguy

  March 04, 2009 10:32

  Thanks, the picture helps.
  
  Side bar: Just read your 8mm Berdan post with photo. I don't know how you come up with a web site, article, and photo's on things in 15-45 minutes, but I'm glad you do.
  
  Again, thanks for the education, maybe I'll try bedding a rifle (old one first) just for fun.

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  nononsense

  March 04, 2009 11:28

  geeguy,
  
  "...maybe I'll try bedding a rifle (old one first) just for fun."
  
  That's a great idea! We all started on older rifles for various projects but all you really need is preparation.
  
  Write out the steps required. It's like a check sheet, it helps you remember the steps as you work. The fewer things you forget, the better the project proceeds. Take my word for this.
  
  No distractions. No TV, radio, phones, children, wife, etc.
  
  Organize your materials. Lay everything out including clean-up stuff.
  
  Walk through the steps.
  
  Mask off the stock and plug any features on the action that you don't want to lock to the stock.
  
  Wax everything that you don't want the epoxy to stick to.
  
  Be prepared to wipe off the extra epoxy.
  
  This is a good step-by-step:
  
  http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?p=0&t=1&i=641
  
  http://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html
  
  Best.

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