Oh, bother! Loose rear sight base on a Finn '27

[jmoore]

Slow, but finally! Photos.







Believe it or don't, those lumps of solder are between 0.010" and 0.015" highter than the parent metal. Good solder joints ought to max out around 0.003". Also not much actual contact between the base and barrel, although both were very well tinned. The fit was just poor!

So, to avoid another poor soldering job, and probable bluing problems due to fluxing and such, Devcon "Plastic Steel" Putty (A) 10110, was chosen as filler and adhesive. Surrounding surfaces were coated with release agent, and the epoxy was carefully mixed and applied in generous quantities to both mating surfaces. Then assembly and lots of clean up! By the time for a range exercise, the epoxy should be well cured.




Focus didn't work out too well, but it's all that's available so far.

One bonus to this epoxy is that it is a dark metallic grey color. So ant that shows around the edges looks very much like old solder. As extended rapid fire sessions aren't likely, I don't think heat will be an issue, either, but if it fails, you'll get to see a part II.