Anvil 088: Shotgun Rib Soldering

Published on October 1, 2020
Duration: 51:20

This video details the process of resoldering shotgun ribs that have detached due to excessive heat, such as from hot dip bluing. Mark Novak demonstrates crucial steps including surface preparation, tinning mating surfaces with 60/40 solder, using a Sharpie as a solder resist, and ensuring a complete bond by drawing molten solder into the joint. The repair is validated through test firing and resonance checks.

Quick Summary

Hot dip bluing can melt the solder holding shotgun ribs to barrels due to high salt bath temperatures. To repair, clean surfaces, pre-heat to prevent condensation, tin both rib and barrel with flux and 60/40 solder, then heat to fuse. A Sharpie can act as a solder resist for precise application.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Ruined Barrels from Bluing
  2. 00:46Assessing Solder Failure and Barrel Separation
  3. 03:18Surface Prep & Moisture Control for Soldering
  4. 04:24Cleaning and Tinning the Shotgun Rib
  5. 08:21Sharpie Trick for Solder Resist
  6. 11:46Soldering the Rib to the Barrels
  7. 15:07Muzzle Finishing Techniques
  8. 16:52Test Firing and Resonance Check

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes shotgun ribs to detach during bluing?

Shotgun ribs detach during hot dip bluing when the high temperatures of the bluing salts melt the solder that holds the ribs to the barrels. This leads to separation and requires a resoldering process to repair.

How can I prevent condensation when soldering firearm parts?

To prevent condensation, which can cause rust and hinder solder adhesion, use a heat gun to pre-warm the metal surfaces before applying a torch. This ensures the steel is warm enough to avoid immediate moisture buildup from the flame.

What is 'tinning' in the context of shotgun rib soldering?

Tinning involves cleaning the mating surfaces of the rib and barrels down to bare metal, applying flux, and then coating each surface with a thin layer of molten solder. This ensures both surfaces are prepared for a strong, unified bond when heated together.

How do you ensure a complete solder joint on shotgun barrels?

After aligning and heating the tinned rib and barrels, use a scraper to draw the molten solder into the joint. This process, combined with proper tinning of both surfaces, ensures a complete and structurally sound bond.

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