How to Use Barrel Laps

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
I'm looking for some info on exactly how to use a barrel lap. I just ordered one from MSC along with some 500 grit lapping grease and I was just wondering if there are some tricks to this that I should know. Or is it just straight forward, stick some grease in the hole and go for it? I'm using a Delta drill press that is running fairly straight and true to the table and I have it on the slowest speed.

MSC listed the lap and also a cylinder separately. I wasn't sure if the lap was some sort of two piece thing or what so I ordered both items. Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by fountainman (edited 06-24-2001).]
 
Peter, how are you going to be using this in knifemaking?? What does it do and to what? Thanks!!

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Take care!! Michael
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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!

Cooper Custom Knives
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Michael,

Allen Elishewitz and Darrel were talking about this awhile back. After drilling and reaming the pivot hole on your folder you then lap it with a barrel lap and compound to get a silky smooth fit. That's how they get that outrageous glassy smooth action.

Thanks for the link Laurence. No luck finding anything there on gunsmithing though.

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by fountainman (edited 06-24-2001).]
 
Laps come with a brass barrel and a mandrel. The barrel is replaceable and can be expanded by turning an screw in the end of the mandrel. I hand lap my pivot hole after heat treat using my electric screwdriver. I use 1200 grit lapping compound. You might find that 500 is a little course. Make sure you go slow to acheive a tight but smooth fit with your pivot pin.
 
Ahhh, now that's the sort of info I was looking for. Thank you Andrew! I had a feeling that lapping might be a hand done process but wasn't sure. The electric screwdriver method sounds great and it makes a lot of sense to do it after heat treat. I will order some finer grit compound when I'm closer to finishing my folder. Glad I took Kit's advice a while back and picked up the screwdriver and chuck for tapping. Now it can serve double duty.

Almost done with moving my shop!

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com
 
Does anybody have a picture of one of these barrel laps. I'm not sure what you are talking about.

Thanks

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Tony Huffman
thuffman@texinet.net
Sporting Clays & Shotguns ... my other bad habit!
My Web Site
 
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