In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

nononsense - skim bed the action?

geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
edited March 2009 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
nononsense - on one of the posts you talk about "skim bedding the action". Please explain what this is. Although mostly a pistol and shotgun shooter, I try to follow some of the technical issues for a rifle. I assume this is just a light coating of epoxy to assure the Alum. block stays in place in relationship to the stock and barrel.

Thanks
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    geeguy,

    Exactly right in that it's a thin coating.

    The reason for the skim bedding at all is that the aluminum block is never the exact size and fit to each and every action screwed into it. The thin coat of epoxy makes up for the little variations in the surface of the block and size differences between the action and the block. It acts to provide a continuous, smooth surface to spread the stress across.

    Best.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the education. I had never heard the term.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    geeguy,

    Being out of town curtails some of the things I can do with responses to some questions. Time constraints don't always leave me the time to find the photos I have access to.

    I managed to find this photograph that I knew I had in file that illustrates the skim bedding that you asked about. I'm sorry it's so late.

    34538Skim_bedding.jpg

    This is an HS stock with the aluminum bedding block that has had the epoxy applied in light coat.

    Best.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks, the picture helps.

    Side bar: Just read your 8mm Berdan post with photo. I don't know how you come up with a web site, article, and photo's on things in 15-45 minutes, but I'm glad you do.

    Again, thanks for the education, maybe I'll try bedding a rifle (old one first) just for fun.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    geeguy,

    "...maybe I'll try bedding a rifle (old one first) just for fun."

    That's a great idea! We all started on older rifles for various projects but all you really need is preparation.

    Write out the steps required. It's like a check sheet, it helps you remember the steps as you work. The fewer things you forget, the better the project proceeds. Take my word for this.

    No distractions. No TV, radio, phones, children, wife, etc.

    Organize your materials. Lay everything out including clean-up stuff.

    Walk through the steps.

    Mask off the stock and plug any features on the action that you don't want to lock to the stock.

    Wax everything that you don't want the epoxy to stick to.

    Be prepared to wipe off the extra epoxy.

    This is a good step-by-step:

    http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?p=0&t=1&i=641

    http://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html

    Best.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.