Gunsmithing Bedding a rifle

adm09_003

Private
Minuteman
Jun 9, 2010
97
0
37
Canton, Texas
This might be a stupid question but i read the thread on how to bed a rilfe and i have some questions. Whats the diffrence in skim bedding and pillar bedding? and what is a pillar? Hope somebody can help and i can bed my rifle and know what the terms mean lol
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

I'm not a gunsmith, but here is my take.

Pillar bedding is done to prevent the stock from "crushing" when you tighten the action screws. Sometimes pillars are made using bedding compound, but most are metal that are inletted into the stock and bedded in place. The metal pillars are hollow tubes that are placed in the holes made for the action screws, the action screw then goes through the pillar.

Skim bedding is applying a thin layer of bedding compound between the stock and action. This ensures complete contact between the stock and action so that the action is not stressed in any way.


Rob Opp
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

look. seriously. look up. see that thread about bedding? the one thats stickied here in this section? yeah, at the top. read it. all of your questions will be answered. if you still have questions after 11 pages, read it again. really, i answered skim and pillar 2x in there an there are pictures. i did a skim. first one in the post is a pillar.
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">look. seriously. look up. see that thread about bedding? the one thats stickied here in this section? yeah, at the top. read it. all of your questions will be answered. if you still have questions after 11 pages, read it again. really, i answered skim and pillar 2x in there an there are pictures. i did a skim. first one in the post is a pillar. </div></div>

Kind way to tell him to use the search function....lol
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

we just dont need new bedding posts. with a sticky, everything you want to know, everything has been asked and answered by someone at least once. post your questions there. i look at it often as do most of the helpful people. its easier to quote and use pics. all the reference photos are there. every week someone says whats the difference between skim bed and pillar bed? can i use welding flux for mold release? will a phillips screwdriver fit up my ass or do i need a flat blade? its funny when someone asks what do i use for bedding my rifle and says oh i read thru that post ... i hate being lied to, lol
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

look i read all 11 pages and did the search!!! But i still had questions so i asked them...i didnt need some people being a smart a@@...i just needed a simple answer...some things with all the technical words in the thread was confusing so i asked a question...people dont learn anything without questions and im trying to learn!
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adm09_003</div><div class="ubbcode-body">look i read all 11 pages and did the search!!! But i still had questions so i asked them...i didnt need some people being a smart a@@...i just needed a simple answer...some things with all the technical words in the thread was confusing so i asked a question...people dont learn anything without questions and im trying to learn! </div></div>


Your answer is in the second post.
Do you have more questions?
 
Re: Bedding a rifle

i told him to read it again. and dont get all butt hurt, this isnt the place for it. i personally showed photos of a skim bed and the first post of the 11 pages is a full pillar bed job. its just easier to ask in that thread. i read it over and over and all the questions were answered. i have bedded mine and cleared up stuff for other people that were confused. and no one is being a smart ass, just realize this. you say you read a whole thread. yet you still ask what a pillar is after the first post in that thread is a pillar bedding job start to finish?

and you can type pillar bedding and skim bedding into yahoo or google as well for a description or each


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In previous threads I've shown the breech and muzzle end of a barrel I was working on chambering and receiver blue printing. It was meeting with such a positive response and at the request of several members for more, I thought I would take you through the next step of my process. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Pillar bedding a rifle stock</span></span>. The pictures below cover my prep work leading up to pillar bedding and the final product. As with anything, prep is the absolute key to a successful job.

The first thing I do is prep the stock in the mill by opening up the recoil lug area and milling out the guard screw holes for pillars. I also rough it up a bit with a dermal tool for added tooth and mechanical lock of the bedding. This prep can also be done with a dermal and a drill but, you must be very careful as to not let the pillar holes wonder off or lean to the side. If using a dermal take your time and make it right. This picture shows the prep work.


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After stock prep is completed I use masking tape on the barrel at two points to hold the barreled receiver in place in a stress free position. This is probably the most important step in the process and the most over looked. Tape is added until the fit is exactly as I want it. I check the fit at the ejection port (must be level) and rear tang, if all looks good, I run with it. I currently have a stock here that was bedded by a very well known smith. There is so much stress in the bedding job that when the rear guard screw is tightened, the bolt binds up. We removed the barrel just for grins, same result. The picture shows a very easy way for the DIY guy to achieve a stress free bedding job, every time, without fail.

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I make all my own pillars for each rifle after initial fitting is performed but there is a company that manufactures adjustable pillars if your not able to make your own. I believe these pillars are available through Sinclair Intl. In my lathe, I dial in a piece of .500" Aluminum bar stock and drill a .250" hole in the center and cut bedding grooves in the body of the pillar with an insert tool. I cut them long enough that they stick out of the stock. I also screw the pillars to the receiver tight and bed all in one step. This is where most make the mistake as they try to screw the trigger guard together while the bedding is wet, this is when stress is induced into the bedding job. This is what happened with the stock I have here for repair. This picture shows the pillars screwed to the receiver, cut long so final finishing can be performed in the Mill.

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This is just the first step in my bedding jobs. To date, they've all been good with no issues. I bed all my BR, Tactical and Hunting Rifles this way.

The following pics show the tape prep to the receiver and stock. With exception of the tape on the lug, the extra tape is purely for ease of clean up. They also show the release agent I use although Johnson’s past floor wax and neutral kiwi shoe polish is just as good.

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