Anyone tig 1911 frame rails?

TomG said:
Kevin,

That's the nice thing about a semi-auto, Unlike in a revolver or single shot, most of the energy is absorbed by the action not the frame. Consequently you could make the frame out of aluminum if you want and it would work perfectly well. In fact, aluminum frames are available and quite popular for the 1911. Machining one out of 7075 is even on my project list as soon as it gets to a manageable level, but there are a few other guns that I need to finish first.

That is a good welding site and Jodie Collier, the guy who owns it, will even answer your questions if you email him.

Tom
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I suppose you've seen the cncguns.com website? Not in my realm l (all my machines are old... about as old as me or more, and I got a "D" in Fortran in 1974, nipped my computer career early, ha!), but totally amazing.

If I have any questions after getting through the videos I'll keep that in mind. He's really thorough.
 
I have seen the cncguns website and there is a lot of good information there. CNC makes a lot of machining operations easier and faster, but is not required to make receivers. A lot of 1911's were made before the avent of cnc. And old machines will work just fine, although gunsmithing often requires special tools and fixturing. A peek at my Steven's Favorite build thread will give you an idea of what is required.

Tom
 
Holy cripes Tom, that's some awesome work. I've only made it through the first page and feel the compulsion to go out to the shop and actually get something done, ha!

I know what you mean about stuff being made before cnc. I think the thing that impressed me most about cncguns website was just how many steps were involved. My impression of cnc machining has come from watching the 5 axis mill videos on youtube, though I know lathes and mills have the capability. I guess I didn't realize production on a regular cnc mill actually involved about as many steps as a manual mill would. One of my first inklings of possibly making a gun was probably 15 years ago reading Leon Uris' "Trinity". It talked about the Irish blacksmith making a revolver and feeling the cylinder rotate to check the timing.

I'll definitely get through the rest of your Steven's Favorite as time allows. Very nice work, thanks for pointing that out.
 
One thing about CNC, it can take a fair bit of time just doing the programming and rechecking stuff. When doing a single item, it can be simplier to just make it, but the CNC at times can allow a single setup to do many operations depending on the machine.
 
pdentrem said:
One thing about CNC, it can take a fair bit of time just doing the programming and rechecking stuff. When doing a single item, it can be simplier to just make it, but the CNC at times can allow a single setup to do many operations depending on the machine.
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That is true for dedicated production machines, but some machines are capable of conversational programming where you can program using a high level language right at the machine. I worked as a research machinist for a company that had a Hurco KMB1 which had that capability and all it was used for was one off parts. It could be programmed and used to machine a part with lots of contours and hole patterns in about a tenth the time as it would take to make on a rotary table. Wish I still had it.

Tom
 
We have a Haas that does conversational as well, the programmer/operator tends to not use it that way. Most of our stuff is short run with a pinch of long run, it gets programmed and the one offs are done on the manual machines. Getting time on the machine when you need it never seems to be at the same time.
 
KevinD said:
I guess the limits of peening the frame rails has inherent limitations for durability I'm interested in how folks build up worn out frame rails? Since most 1911 frames seem to be 4140 what filler rod do you use? Do you use a heat sink? pre-heat? post-heat? Is it just a fools errand? Thanks for any insights.

It just occurred to me that this may be better on the gunsmithing forum... c'est le vie
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i have not tried tig welding a 1911 frame, but i know it's been done. i have also heard of brazing operations with phosphr/bronze and silver solder/alloy like the old timers used to do.
i must clean my 1911 too much, after 3500 rounds she barely looks broken in...
1911.JPG
mike:))

1911.JPG
 
Ulma Doctor said:
i have not tried tig welding a 1911 frame, but i know it's been done. i have also heard of brazing operations with phosphr/bronze and silver solder/alloy like the old timers used to do.
i must clean my 1911 too much, after 3500 rounds she barely looks broken in...
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Looks pristine, my only caveat would be to not wear it out cleaning it. I have a friend that's a master bullseye shooter that wore out his Les Baer wad gun because he was a bit compulsive about cleaning. Of course I don't think he'd made master in just a few years without that aspect of his character (I've been in the great waiting room of expert for about 10 years now, ha!). But then his gun had a full length guide rod and he had to take the bushing off with the barrel in battery. Made me consider a bushing wrench that's open at the bottom and the handle comes from the top... that's on the list of roundtoits as well.
 
My son was willed his grandfathers WWII Colt 1911A1(1943 manufacture) that appears to have been rarely carried, let alone shot. It's pretty much in mint condition. He does like to shoot it and we've had numerous discussions about the importance of keeping it clean and cleaning it properly to preserve its value. All he uses is a toothbrush and a soft cloth, so hopefully that won't be too hard on the finish. Being caretaker of a historical artifact like this is a tough position to be in.

Tom
 
TomG said:
My son was willed his grandfathers WWII Colt 1911A1(1943 manufacture) that appears to have been rarely carried, let alone shot. It's pretty much in mint condition. He does like to shoot it and we've had numerous discussions about the importance of keeping it clean and cleaning it properly to preserve its value. All he uses is a toothbrush and a soft cloth, so hopefully that won't be too hard on the finish. Being caretaker of a historical artifact like this is a tough position to be in.

Tom
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tom,
i feel you pain,
a gun that is not used is completely useless..
an unused gun is priceless.. the eternal paradox
it's a kind of sacrilegious to have art and keep it locked up in a vault, my 2 cents anyway!
mike:))
 
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