Gunsmithing lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

[josephberry]

I know that lapping lugs with compound removes metal and sets the bolt rearward.This of course could cause a head space issue if it were done to a barreled action. My question is would a little Flitz lapping do any harm? I'd like to increase my contact area some, without pulling the barrel.

 

[ukshooter]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Never the guts to try diy bolt lapping,but i've got a link on how to do it(don't blame me if it goes wrong).
DIY BOLT LAPPING LINK

 

[GasLight]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Flitz will remove metal the same a lapping compound will. It may not be as aggressive, but the only way to lap something is to remove some of the metal. Any kind of polish is going to remove metal.

I personally think pulling the barrel and using a lapping tool is the only way to do it and ensure consistent rearward pressure. Sounds like the guy in the link has had great success, but I don't know how you would quantify that.

What are you hoping to gain by lapping the lugs on your rifle?

 

[josephberry]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Just a little more contact. It's a new factory rifle and the contact looks to be about 25-30 percent. I guess I could get some head space gauges and see how much I have to play with.

 

[GasLight]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

How does it shoot as is?

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

You'd wear the skin off your hand before you would do anything more than make a shiny spot. Flitz is very very fine abrasive. It's a polish not a lapping compound. Lapping removes metal from both surfaces. So you're taking a high place on one and making a low place on the other. Meaning the lugs won't be lapped flat with 100% contact. It may look like it but there not. Save your money. Best just shoot it as is and if you're not satified with the performance then tear it apart and do the machine work correctly and put a good barrel on it.

 

[josephberry]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Thanks Dave,good point.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Try toothpaste........STOP laughing cause it works.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

i do remember seeing a guy work on a fishing reel and using tooth paste to polish the shaft. but would it be anymore aggressive than the flitz? it feels gritty, but if it laps an action i may switch to a gel, lol

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Just a follow up on how agressive or not Flitz is. Had a new WbY MKV I bedded. It got the ususal minor mess on the stock beside the action. Just for the hell of it I pulled out Flitz and used it like rubbing compound. Cleaned it up and restored the high gloss finish.

 

[Clark]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Put a piece of polished metal in the lathe.
Spin at 1000 rpm.
Rub Flitz at 100 psi until the diameter changes .001", and note how long it takes.

Now calculate how many years it would take to lap bolt lugs with Flitz.

You don't have that many years left?
You could clean the lugs with Flitz, if that would make you feel better.

 

[Hateca]

Re: lapping bolt lugs with Flitz?

Unless you are truing the action with the barrel off don't waste your time in trying to lap lugs with a barrel still attached, especially a factory barrel. If you do you could be asking for more problems.