Posted by Dave Graley on May 5, 2012, 9:39 pm 98.71.1.111
I recently acquired a hammer double L. C. Smith built 1907. It has been recommended that I get the head of the stock glass bedded. Can someone direct me to a smith who will perform the task? Thanks much.
Glass bedding the head of an LC Smith stock is never a bad thing when it is properly done, but based on my observations, it is not a often needed with a hammer gun as with a hammerless. I believe that tis is because less wood has to be removed from the head of the hammer gun stock when compared to the hammerless.
Can anyone describe what the glass bedding process is, why it is done and how do you know when it is necessary. I apologize for my ignorance, I am new to the classic gun world and I am trying to educate myself in preparation to purchasing a gun.
As far as 'when necessary'; I don't take chances. Besides, I rather enjoy doing it.
My glassing has evolved to the following method, although Dr. Bill Hambidge's method is the ultimate, it would freak me out setting my locks into acraglass and the possibility of having to use a torch to get them loose.
All of this is mainly for prevention. This FW stock has only one short tight crack on the right front. It is ready to be Acraglass filled over the 7/16" staple gun staples, having drilled three holes for the staple legs all the way through the solid piece of wood that runs from top to bottom and from side to side and should stop any crack that might occur from traveling. I use a slow speed Black and Decker, AA battery operated screw driver type drill. Be sure not to get too close to the vertical hole for the top tang screw when drilling the top hole. The holes will be filled with glass, poking it in from one side to the other using an appropiate size dowel. I use a cut up credit card for striking off excess glass to get it flush with the wood.
3/8" staple
Channeled out wood,using a Dremel burr bit, at the front and mid-way of the lower finger corner (a path cracks like to follow) with screen material from a car front bug screen layed in ready to be glassed over. I don't know what the screen is is made of, but it is very strong. I couldn't pull a 1/8" strip apart.
Top lever shaft radius channeled out and screen layed in ready for glass. Note in second pic the prepped area comes well up on the inner sides.
Radius at rear of locks channeled out and prepped for glass.
You can see that very little of the stock head strips was taking the recoil (the area above the rotating bolt) and yet had only one short tight crack on the right side at the front. I put super glue on a couple small areas but noticed it didn't wick in like on other stocks, so it must have very tight wood fibers. I did put super glue on the end grain wood.
Of course a small bit of glass will have to be spread on the stock head strips, above and below the rotating bolt area and out to the inner part of the lower fingers. It is the first line of prevention.
