Siamese Contract SMLE Restoration

[BushyFromOz]

It's looking fine as I figured it would.

Its looking a bit better than i expected, but this morning, woodwork has black patches on it again.

The crack on the wrist is on both sides, wondering if i should attempt my first patching job? But i do not know what kind of timber this is or how i would go about matching it.

The other thing is, i figured i would whittle away at collecting enough english wallnut pieces to stock the rifle in that eventually, with this set perhaps going onto a Lithgow action i had thought about setting up for range work

[browningautorifle]

this morning, woodwork has black patches on it again.

And likely will keep bleeding out for some time.

what kind of timber

I take it to be walnut, it's not mohogany...the patching job...there's lots of guys here can coach you.

[BushyFromOz]

I take it to be walnut, it's not mohogany...the patching job...there's lots of guys here can coach you.

I have searched the forums quite a lot, have many interesting pics as well as Mr Laidlers articles. I may have a stuffed sporterised fore-end here somewhere to make the patch with, i just don't know where it is

[browningautorifle]

I'm surprised there's not more traffic about the patch job already...Peter's done scads for instance. I'm sure they'll be along.

[BushyFromOz]

I'm surprised there's not more traffic about the patch job already...Peter's done scads for instance. I'm sure they'll be along.

i imagine pete is sick of posting the same stuff over and over

[BushyFromOz]

Things not being helped though, i do not really have a dedicated work space, but I'm working on it. We just built a rather large garden shed for alll the gardening gear and storage for our 4x4 and camping gear, that will free up a massive amount of sapce. I may even be able to store a vehicle in my garage!

During moving a bunch of junk though, i did find something i forgot i had.

"old army wooden toolbox $40" the sign said when i bought it. Forty Bucks! I'll have that!

**EDIT**
I just finished my dedicated reloading bench tonight, its small but at least functional

[browningautorifle]

pete is sick of posting the same stuff

I agree...and understand.

[Peter Laidler]

You say that the crack on the wrist is on both sides. The photo shows the cracked portion on the top and that's a bit confusing from here! Is it cracked on the top AND both sides. That is an EASY fix/cure and is caused by insufficient gap between the butt socket of the rifle and the ledge of the butt in the socket. There MUST be a gap and the butt MUST seat hard in the taper. To fix the split that we can see (thread 7) make sure it's clean and oil free, gently lift the break up as far as you dare and squeeze into it some aircraft quality wood glue (the type approved by the aviation inspectors for home build aircraft) and clamp it up. Then reinforce the patch with oak dowels and it'll never fail again. The broken rear handguard is also a reasonably simple fix too, this time you make new slip patches (the cross patches) from a hardwood/oak. While it's always good to use identical wood and you are taught to while you're apprentices, you have to be realistic out in the real world. While pale oak pegs, dowels and slip patches might not look good while patching a dark fore-end, it's the best real option. The same applies to patching across the grain of the fore-end. Some argue that you should patch with the patch going WITH the grain!!!!! That's all very well with a toe and heel patch but not with a dowel or when you're strengthening a split.

And here's something else you ought to know. Come a bit closer as I don't want everyone to know......... Look at the series about patching Bren butts wot I rit a year or so ago......... got it? See them photos..... and the patches....... the different wood shows the patches clearly but it also shows the brethren of the lodge or forum that a skilled bloke (or sort of nearly up to the grade in my case) has patched it and it's there for good. Go on then Bushy......., what's keeping you?

[BushyFromOz]

Thanks for the reply peter.

The crack at the wrist is almost symmetrical on both sides, and cuts though the notch for the safety on the left and that chip in the socket on the rights. So yeah, both sides. I wasn't entirely sure whether you would cut the whole piece out and patch in a new piece of wood and peg it, or lift it, glue it then peg it as it is. I seem to have pictures showing both

The rear hand guard looks like it has dry rot in it, so i think its done

Look at the series about patching Bren butts wot I rit a year or so ago

Ooh, i missed that in my search, thanks for the heads up

Go on then Bushy......., what's keeping you?

My 2 year old, my wife, "family time", building a pizza oven and the hangover i had after my mates 30'th . Also, building a work space so i can do this properly.

[Peter Laidler]

It's very unlikely that dry rot has got to the lower handguard when the remainder of the wood was drenched in oily stuff. It MUST be worth removing the retainer spring, degrease the wood, patch it and reassemble properly.