Gunsmithing DIY pillar install

[WeiserBucks]

I've got a new Manners EH1 that came with pillars but they're not installed. I'm going to tackle the job myself but have one hangup. The pillars are to long .

How critical is pillar length and how critical is having the ends square ? I have basic hand tools, Dremel ect. I'll be fully bedding the barreled action and bottom metal if it makes any difference.

 

[Easy_E]

How do you know they are too long ?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Because when i slip them into the stock they're approximately .250" proud of the barreled action inlet and equally proud of the bottom metal inlet , that's how .

 

[mcc308]

You can bed the action using those pillars. They will hang long out the bottom. You can then trim the bottom excess off. I believe brownells has a cutter with a pilot that is sized to fit the inside of the puller.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I guess I wasn't speaking English, the pillars are approximately 1/2" to long . I'm going to cut them to length, just wondering if length and square cut are absolutely critical.

 

[300 grainpill]

I went the total redneck approach and cut them close then chucked them up in a drill press and eased them down on a clamped in file to get them square... I’ve screwed up a lot in my time but this actually produced good results

 

[Terry Cross]

How critical is pillar length and how critical is having the ends square ? I have basic hand tools, Dremel ect. I'll be fully bedding the barreled action and bottom metal if it makes any difference.

Pillar length is VERY critical if your bottom metal is DBM type.

Each bottom metal maker will have very specific Z-axis dimensions you need to adhere to on the front and back pinch points in order for you to achieve reliable feeding and magazine performance.

Consult the maker of the bottom metal and/or MCS to get the dimensions you should target.

./

 

[ShtrRdy]

If you know what DBM you are going to use sometimes the correct length pillars come so that the magazine is in the correct position.

 

[Easy_E]

Because when i slip them into the stock they're approximately .250" proud of the barreled action inlet and equally proud of the bottom metal inlet , that's how .

Sorry wife had dinner ready and got side tracked . I normally will rough up the holes in the stock and epoxy them in while bolted to the action. this way the are at the right height under the action with the extra hanging down below. As someone else said with the Brownells cutter adjust the pillar for the bottom metal .
Once this is done and the magazine feeds good go back and bed the action and lug.

 

[WeiserBucks]

BDL bottom metal on this one

 

[Terry Cross]

BDL bottom metal on this one

Cool !
Then you will have more vertical to play with and still trap the internal box between the receiver and inner recess of the bottom metal.