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Wheel Locks
- Thread starter Col. Batguano
- Start date
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yep that is the one. kind of sketched in the corner with some other ideas(?). I spent a long time trying to find more info/images of it. No luck. I did learn tho that the idea would have been mothballed when L.D had to lay off the German spring maker he had on staff. Money dried up. When awash with money L.D surrounded himself with the best tradesmen available and used thier skills/idea to advance/inpsire his own. Like Galileo, some genius, is simply the product of listening to the workers. Ever wondered who built the lathe that built the telescope........ Bet that guy did 9/10s of the math we attribute to the rich guy.
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I sent a PM to Wulf. I'm out of town on business this week, but will post for Wulf this weekend when I return.
Rick
Rick
Col. Batguano
75 Cal.
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Amen!
The best thing a company can have on site is a cheap and simple item. The suggestion box.
The best thing a company can have on site is a cheap and simple item. The suggestion box.
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Hi Hawkeye.
Until recently the Firestix were only available in a round stick. So you had to improvise a way to hold it in the jaws of the cock. But now they are available in square shape which easily fit the jaws with a piece of leather if desired. It's just a coincidence the diameter is just right for wheellock jaws. Fits great. Just cut the stix to desired length (do this in a safe area with safety precautions as sparks will occur). About a 1" length should last for many shots. And they really spark!! As the Firestix wears down, just re-adjust the length as desired. It seems to be harder material than pyrite, but still much softer than the wheel. The problem with pyrite is it's crumbling nature. You never know if you are going to get two shots off or twelve before it crumbles.
The Firestix never fails to spark. Just one Firestix should last a long time. Here is a pic of the square ones. I bought two.
Rick
Until recently the Firestix were only available in a round stick. So you had to improvise a way to hold it in the jaws of the cock. But now they are available in square shape which easily fit the jaws with a piece of leather if desired. It's just a coincidence the diameter is just right for wheellock jaws. Fits great. Just cut the stix to desired length (do this in a safe area with safety precautions as sparks will occur). About a 1" length should last for many shots. And they really spark!! As the Firestix wears down, just re-adjust the length as desired. It seems to be harder material than pyrite, but still much softer than the wheel. The problem with pyrite is it's crumbling nature. You never know if you are going to get two shots off or twelve before it crumbles.
The Firestix never fails to spark. Just one Firestix should last a long time. Here is a pic of the square ones. I bought two.
Rick
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I'm posting these photos for Forum member Wulf. I'll let him explain further. Note the coil spring lock.
Very cool Wulf.
Rick
Very cool Wulf.
Rick
Wulf and RIcky:
Huge thanks, I have been haunting the thread in hope and appreciate the pics. More fodder for the local print shop so I can study em proper.
Much thanks
re the firestick- that is a super option. I have been buying Pyrites from asia and it is amazing how variabe they are when it comes to creating a spark. First batch rained fire from waist level to the floor- other batches kinda sparked if the lights were out and some you can whack with all your might against a file and nothing but skinned knuckles. So far I have spent maybe 30 bucks and have a meager and gaurded store of pyrites. What about the pyrites that come off the islands in the Gulf of st lawrence? Anyone heard of em or secured any? Ship loads went to Europe at one time.
Huge thanks, I have been haunting the thread in hope and appreciate the pics. More fodder for the local print shop so I can study em proper.
Much thanks
re the firestick- that is a super option. I have been buying Pyrites from asia and it is amazing how variabe they are when it comes to creating a spark. First batch rained fire from waist level to the floor- other batches kinda sparked if the lights were out and some you can whack with all your might against a file and nothing but skinned knuckles. So far I have spent maybe 30 bucks and have a meager and gaurded store of pyrites. What about the pyrites that come off the islands in the Gulf of st lawrence? Anyone heard of em or secured any? Ship loads went to Europe at one time.
I have made plenty of leaf springs but when it
came to wheel-locks I thought there must be something easier and better. like a full turn of
the wheel. So back in 1988 I made that little
one pictured [in 22 cal]and learned how to do it.
The rest of the pics are of guns made with the
stretch spring action 'cept the last one which is a German #535 with a leaf spring...eleven shots and the spring snapped in two places, and proved my point. I always used welders flints till I discovered 'fire sticks'
came to wheel-locks I thought there must be something easier and better. like a full turn of
the wheel. So back in 1988 I made that little
one pictured [in 22 cal]and learned how to do it.
The rest of the pics are of guns made with the
stretch spring action 'cept the last one which is a German #535 with a leaf spring...eleven shots and the spring snapped in two places, and proved my point. I always used welders flints till I discovered 'fire sticks'
Canute Rex
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A couple of things:
I just ordered a bunch of pyrite cubes (12-16mm) from China. I'll report back on structural integrity and sparking. I already got some Chinese pyrite in a smaller size that held together well and sparked nicely.
On the coil spring idea - Leonard Day has this figured out. I recently delivered to him a coil of so-called "missile wire" or "rocket wire" for making coil springs. He had used the stuff for a while making coil spring wheellocks but lost his supplier. He made one out of the wire I brought and tested it. He reported that it was so strong that it sheared the pin holding the pan cover and fired the pan cover across the room. He has beefed up the pin and it works fine.
Substitution the coil spring eliminates the chain, which was a weak spot and a pain to make.
I was down there at Leonard's again last week to get fitted for the stock of my prospective Brescian wheelie rifle. Something to look forward to in the new year.
I just ordered a bunch of pyrite cubes (12-16mm) from China. I'll report back on structural integrity and sparking. I already got some Chinese pyrite in a smaller size that held together well and sparked nicely.
On the coil spring idea - Leonard Day has this figured out. I recently delivered to him a coil of so-called "missile wire" or "rocket wire" for making coil springs. He had used the stuff for a while making coil spring wheellocks but lost his supplier. He made one out of the wire I brought and tested it. He reported that it was so strong that it sheared the pin holding the pan cover and fired the pan cover across the room. He has beefed up the pin and it works fine.
Substitution the coil spring eliminates the chain, which was a weak spot and a pain to make.
I was down there at Leonard's again last week to get fitted for the stock of my prospective Brescian wheelie rifle. Something to look forward to in the new year.
[/quote] Wulf, great photos and great work,too! Can you explain how the sear works on the wheel lock with the coil spring? Is the sear pivoting off the lower bridle screw? I can't tell from the detail in the photo. Thanks, Mike
yes. The axle has a section like the tumbler on
a flintlock and the sear engages into that full
cock notch. The beauty of the stretch spring is
that it is so easy to replace and the chain has
very little stress. The German #354 has a very
strong spring and requires a heavy chain...When
the last one broke I ordered two. All but the
"Ball butt" are gone....sold. I think my style
are easier to make but different...A full turn
and no strain. Good luck
Wulf I thank Ricky for posting for me...
a flintlock and the sear engages into that full
cock notch. The beauty of the stretch spring is
that it is so easy to replace and the chain has
very little stress. The German #354 has a very
strong spring and requires a heavy chain...When
the last one broke I ordered two. All but the
"Ball butt" are gone....sold. I think my style
are easier to make but different...A full turn
and no strain. Good luck
Wulf I thank Ricky for posting for me...
Okay, a tumbler & sear is the key, thanks very much! Mikewulf said:
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