And so on it goes, thee Ol he says she says. I've been ignoring this thread for a while, did read all of the posts but I'll say what IMO needs to be said.
Only thing I disagree with is EVERYTHING Uberti produces has a short arbor.
I've been saying this for along time both here and on the CAS Forum.
And just to clear things up, I said that Uberti's arbors are short and I'll stand by that.
Mike
I know you have Mike, both here, on the CAS Forum, and another forum you post on. I've been saying since you joined the CAS forum that 'not all Uberti's have short arbors', but you contend that they do and you ignore what I say and a number of CAS posters who have advised that they have Uberti's with correct arbors. Others on CAS say their Uberti's arbor is right and of the correct length and you always ignore and discount it. I've told you I have two that are right on and one that's tolerance is so close that the thinnest washer you can find or installing a screw as you do ground down to virtually nothing would be a waste of time to install. I have corrected the arbor lengths on all of my stable of Colts that needed it by installing a single or combination of four thicknesses of brass washers. A temporary fix but an effective one.
You've advised me that I don't check the arbor length in an accurate matter as you do, that by doing it as Pettigogger and others advocate it is incorrect and the Uberti's I claim to be ok are really to short. Well, I've done Pettifoggers method, your method, the "Other Mike's" method (gunsmith on CAS), which is an extended method of Pettifoggers only a person must make sure the arbor and arbor hole is free of any metal burrs. Well low and behold, I get the same results of either to short or right on. I've been going for a number of years to do as Pettifogger (CAS/SASS gunsmith) advocates and do as you do, drill a hole into the end of the arbor, but then instead of taping and installing a screw, epoxy a brass button (Dillion reload machine brass button for locating casings) into the hole in the arbor, then machine it to fit like you do a screw. By the way your method is like/similar to David Chicoine's method he wrote about in his Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West. Maybe that's where you got it, makes no difference. Anyway the brass washers do work, lengthen the arbor to make a solid contact. You did post somewhere that by using brass washers or a brass button that the brass will wear out eventually, will take a whole lotta more shooting that I do or IMO anyone could do. Well I don't plan or have need to shoot plus P pressures of cartridge guns in any of my cap n balls. No need, I just want to enjoy whatever boom, smoke, and accuracy the guns were designed for. I have modern solid frame single and double action revolvers for that and some semi-auto's ifin I wish to shoot something more powerful than any cap n ball was designed for, can and should produce. I've been banging around with these cappers since '72, have learned alot, still learning, but I won't be told I have a short arbor when I know it isn't.
The only thing I need to be careful of is when I disassemble is to make note of the washer/washers and replace them, usually with a dab of grease on them. They always stick on the end of the arbor or in the arbor hole when I separate the barrel and frame. I only disassemble one gun at a time so no mix-up occurs and have it written down the number and thicknesses of washers in each revolver. One of these days I'll get around to doing the Pettifogger treatment, but the washers have proven themselves for a number of years. FWIW using a split washer the diameter or a bit smaller than the arbor is not a real good fix even though some advocate it. Much like putting a spring in the hole and if to much tends to lengthen the arbor, if not enough, ya still have a short arbor.
OK, said my piece. Everyone have a good rest of the day and night. Mike no offense to you or your business, best of luck with all and blessings. I still recall you telling me you wanted to spread some facts, information, and fixes here on the MZ Forum that seemed to be lacking with alot of cap n ball shooters here. High fives to ya. Many are irritated by your contention that all Uberti's have short arbors when they've checked them properly and know they aren't. Sort of grinds on me also. At least yer not advocating stuffing aluminum foil into the arbor hole as a fix for a short arbor. LOL! I hope to call ya this week sometime as we PM'd each other the other day. Sometimes things need to be said and I say it with no grudge, offense, and/or animosity. Take care. Crow Choker
!!
Good grief, was hoping this subject would have been put to bed. All anyone needs to do ref short arbors is read this thread, search for others of the same subject on the forum, and go to other forums such as CAS, The High Road, and a few others to become PhD's on the subject. Reminds me of watering weeds in your garden, ya water em and they just come back.
