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Barrel Repair

13K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  BKeith 
#1 ·
Heard there is a JB weld or epoxy to fix barrels (ie cracks, pits, holes)? Any one heard of this or use such stuff? Something does not seem right but I am open to new info? Heard brazing and soldier were not safe so I am puzzled?
 
#2 ·
Epoxys (like JB Weld) can do alot of good firearms related stuff. Brazing and soldering the same. They can't make a old abused/neglected/rusted/ whatever barrel "new" again.

The materials flex/expand/contract different from each other. Doomed to fail at some point.

I remember reading on a JB package once of it repairing a "cracked" Catipiler engine block.
Gotta wonder how it cracked and why? Also how long the "repair" lasted?

In the end, just need to use the right stuff for the job at hand.

Cheezywan
 
#3 · (Edited)
Your instincts are in the right place; 'does not seem right'. At least not for the pressure-containing barrel. Maybe you heard about repairs to barrel attachments, like sights? Any cracks in a barrel should tell you to send it to the trash barrel. Actually, I'd think that any cracks in a barrel (that look 'repairable') would be exceedingly rare as if they got to that point, catastrophic failure usually occurs. Brazing is nowhere near to equaling the strength of the barrel material. And, welding adversely affects barrel strength properties. However, both are used for barrel attachments (or for attaching bolt handles to bolts).

Cosmetic pits (on the exterior) are another category, but being mostly unfamiliar with the uses of JB weld (for 'household-type' plumbing repairs), I really doubt it's suitable for anything associated with a firearm in pressure-containing applications. Cheezywan is correct that it has uses in other applications with firearms.
 
#4 ·
thanks

yeah so the guy says to me "oh those holes not really any different then a ported barrel don't worry"... later...."if you don't like that look you can use epoxy and fill them in"

So basically fill in those pits and holes. Any pits in a 50 cal BP rifle less than .125 of an inch are just no big deal. The holes he said to just thread and plug with a 8x32 or? He is a gunsmith...So Should I be worried or am I over reacting?:confused:
 
#7 ·
LOL :eek::eek:
 
#8 ·
I would not trust your limbs and life to the advice from that 'gunsmith'. From what I have researched, muzzleloader pressures run in the 13,000 - 23,000 psi range, depending on make and model with BP or variants. You cannot trust any epoxy like JB weld to contain such pressures. Nor an 8-32 plug (just another projectile to let loose, or gases around it to take some digits off).

I am really wondering what these 'holes' are from.:confused: Corrosion, or from a sight mounting gone bad? If corrosion from the interior, the 'hole' is likely a lot bigger than what's on the surface.

Don't try to repair something like this. Retire it.
 
#10 · (Edited)

This is the magic stuff he swears by.

Putty Or Liquid For Strong, Machinable Rifle Bedding

Two-part epoxy forms maximum-strength rifle bedding, and helps repair non-critical metal parts. Fills voids, cracks and machine marks; excellent bonding strength for many wood-to-metal and metal-to-metal applications. Machinable after 4 hours; fully cures in 16 hours, or reduce cure time by applying heat per the manufacturer’s instructions. Highly resistant to chemicals and acids. Steel, Aluminum and Titanium available as putty. Steel also available as liquid for easy flow into tight areas, and making molds, fixtures and light gauge forming dies. Steel Putty and Titanium Putty meet Mil-Spec DOD-C-24176B(SH), Steel Liquid meets Mil-Spec MMM-A-1754, and Aluminum Putty meets Mil-Spec DOD-C-24176B.

helps repair non-critical metal parts? The barrel is one right ....lol?
 
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