+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Bren Tripod Rebuilding help request

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 11:35 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:31 PM

    Bren Tripod Rebuilding help request

    A general question. What threading system was used on the Bren Tripods? S.A.E. or Withworth or BSW or ??
    Area I'm working on are the leg pin threads. It seems that they are 14 tpi. Dia .625 inch or 5/8 inch. Which is not a normal SAE size, but they are available. Or does anyone have any other size for the leg pins?
    Granted I could just replace the pins and collars by ordering them from brp. But I like to clean them up by chasing the treads with a tap or die as needed.
    FYI it seems that a M12-1.50 tap fits the threaded hole on the front AA adjustable leg. Not sure if that is the perfect one but it sure cleans out the threads.
    I've been rebuilding the leg pin areas. I'll take pics and post at a later time. Simple enough but you can have problems with the holding pins and the collars. Well have about 5 more setups to finish up.
    THANKS for any help in advance.

    Later 42rocker
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:31 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by 42rocker View Post
    M12-1.50 tap
    I don't know if metric or imperial threads were used on Bren tripods but if the correct size thread, in this instance, is a 1/2" Whitworth thread form, BSW or BSF, putting a metric tap through the hole may/could damage the threads. Whitworth thread forms have a 55 degree angle of thread but metric thread forms normally have a 60 degree angle of thread. If a tap or a die is being used to clean up a thread it needs to be of the correct size, not what one thinks may be correct.
    Last edited by Flying10uk; 06-09-2023 at 08:53 PM.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 11:35 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:31 PM
    Thread Starter
    Well said, but what is correct? Your help please.

    Later 42rocker

  6. #4
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 11:35 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:31 PM
    Thread Starter
    After spending a few hours finding and reviewing diagrams, I find that the specs always have BSF sizing.
    Therefore I Thank all for reviewing my help request and can offer the above BSF statement.
    Now off to try to figure out if I should if I should buy a BSF tap and die set or just replace everything if there is a problem.

    So folks if working on a Bren Tripod I would say BSF taps and dies.

    Later 42rocker

  7. #5
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:31 PM
    You should be able to get BSF taps and dies on eBayUK or from other UKicon based suppliers.

    You probably don't need to go to the expense of buying a complete set of taps and dies and you could just buy the individual ones that you actually need for your project.
    Last edited by Flying10uk; 01-05-2020 at 12:44 PM.

  8. #6
    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 02:00 PM
    Posts
    1,807
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:31 PM
    I always believed we Brits always used a good oldBritish thread until I tried to find the thread on the STEN barrel nut. Who would have thought ANS was the answer!

    Regarding the tripod, are the threads obviously damaged? I’ve found them to be either extremely tight or slacker than a hookers ......handbag.

  9. Thank You to Brit plumber For This Useful Post:


  10. #7
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 11:35 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:31 PM
    Thread Starter
    What threads are damaged? Well to start with only one area. Personally I like to chase the threads trying to clean them out of grease and such stuff. The major problem in the Bren Tripod is the pin hole that is drilled in the end for a couple to pins to be pressed in and the collar and handle going over them of course. As I'm buying surplus sometimes you have small pieces of metal thread or pin pieces or whatever that you might run into. I've been having fun with 18 sets of them. The collar and pin that goes in it at the end of the bolt, I have several that someone else before me really had messed up while taking apart. Looks like they used a long pipe wrench and just took the handles right off. Rip and tear. I've won the fight in 16 and will win the other two. I'm going to replace and throw away parts as it's cheaper to buy and replace things than to pay more for taps and dies and wait 30 days plus to have them shipping in from India.
    As far as I can tell the major tap and die needed is the BSF 5/8-14. Measures .625 and thread pitch gauges show 14 tpi. It's used "I believe" for the front and rear legs threaded screws and handles. Only other area is on the mk1 AA front leg handle and screw setup.
    If all goes well when I'm done I'll try to post a drawing with all of the thread sizes that I've found out and such. Need to head off to work.

    Later 42rocker
    Last edited by 42rocker; 01-06-2020 at 10:30 AM. Reason: spelllllllling aggggggain

  11. #8
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:31 PM
    If you only need to "clean up" a tapped hole you can make up a thread chaser to clean out the thread by using a bolt of the correct size and grinding 3 "nicks" in the end of the bolt to mimic the flutes of a tap. It won't cut a new thread but it will clean out a thread. The bolt being used to make the chaser obviously has to be the same thread as what you wish to clean out.

    This tip is not something that I have thought up myself but was told to me years ago by a former Royal Engineer, sadly no longer with us, who was part of the BEF that evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. He return to Franceicon in the days following D-Day.

  12. #9
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 11:35 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:31 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thank you for the idea of making your own cleaning "tap". Problem on it is that it seems all of the threads on a Bren Tripod are BSF. Well walking out to my garage might produce 500 to 1,000 different bolts they are all in either SAE or Metric system. BSF threaded items are not common over here in the States. Of course might be in someone else's garage.
    Well like I said I'll try to pop up a mk1 Tripod pic with the BSF thread sizes on it as I have found them.

    Later 42rocker
    Last edited by 42rocker; 01-06-2020 at 09:22 PM. Reason: spelllllllling aggggggain

  13. #10
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 11:35 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:31 PM
    Thread Starter

    update tap and die for threads

    Ordered a 3/16 to 3/4 inch BSF tap and die set to help out restoring some more Bren Tripods I just got in.

    Such Fun.

    Later 42rocker

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Bren gun tripod missing parts
    By Ewout in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 04-20-2019, 07:08 PM
  2. Finish on AA leg Bren tripod ?
    By tr63 in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-02-2017, 08:53 PM
  3. Bren Tripod Color
    By redleg105 in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-23-2014, 02:18 AM
  4. Bren Tripod used in battle?
    By redleg105 in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-05-2014, 09:30 AM
  5. WTB Looking For a Bren Tripod Pintle
    By Albayo in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 02-26-2012, 02:52 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks