repairing a bad pillar job

[RW]

I have a friend who had a gunsmith do a pillar job on a mauser and it is not right so I guess you first would have to drill out the old pillars to re do it!!
with out a mill that seem it would be a job. trying to get it in a vise and at the correct angle to drill out the old sleeves with a drill press?? Thank You Ron

 

[shortgrass]

I'd forget the drill press and use a quality made, hand held drill motor. I'd pick a drill bit slightly bigger in diameter than the existing hole and carefully and slowly run it through. I'd work my way up in drill bit size until the pillar was gone. Use only machine sharpened bits , unless you're real good at sharpening by hand (not just cut, but cut to size). The drill bit will want to follow the existing hole if you let it. Or,,,,,, you could take it back to where you paid to have the work done for justification (fix it right or refund). If you took your pick up to a mechanic for repair or modification and it wasn't right you'd take it back, wouldn't you? That's how you weed out those who do shoddy work.

 

[muley]

What is it about the current pillar job that is screwed up? Do you have pic's ? You may be able to do it on a drill press however it would be better with a x & y adjustable vise. If using a hand drill it would tend to follow the current holes, however if that is where it needs correction you would not want it to follow the current holes. Does the receiver demonstrate measured stress as your tightening it into the stock?

 

[shortgrass]

That's the idea! Get completely rid of the old pillar. You can make the new one any way you want. Use a set of 'alinement pins" to center the pillar with the screw and 'glass it in' (to the stock). Put a finished stock in any vise, without proper 'jigging' for stock holding, and you'll mark it. A good dose of Marine Tex will secure it and fill any voids left by removal of the old pillar. It's a simple job, don't make it complicated. I've drilled out many guard screw holes this way to install pillars. Simple, accuate & cost effective. Goes hand in hand with a stress free installation/bedding job. Now, if you don't have the machine tools around to make pillars and alinement pins, you're pretty much screwed!

 

[RW]

Thanks for all the replies! Heating up the bolt to soften the epoxy is great!
Thank You very much, Ron

 

[jonbearman]

If the epoxy starts to burn and give off smoke try to avoid breathing it. It is a good idea to do it outdoors.