Does anyone out there have a tip for accurately drilling a hole in the end if a 1:35 machine gun barrel? There has to be a solution without constructing an elaborate fixture.
I did it by “center punching” the end slightly with a hot needle, them using that hole as a guide for the drill bit. It seemed to take for_ever especially since I had three of them!
I’ll just bet someone out there is much smarter than I am and has a better idea.
Jim
pin vise and micro drill bits…thats what I use…and do mostly 1/48 gun and cannon barrels…I start with a mark from a dremel high speed cutter which has a fine point or anything else with a sharp point…the slowly work the bit using my fingertip as a guide to keep it straight. The 80 bit ir REALLY fine but manageable it just snaps easily. but for barrels you can use a bit thicker. If you use a fine bit first then a thicker you can even get a nice flared barrel end.
like these…not that I am pushing micro mark…its just the first site I found…
http://www.micromark.com/20-piece-drill-bit-set-with-plastic-index-61-80,7050.html
carlos
Using good magnification and great light, I mark the center with a needle or other sharp object. Then I follow up with pin vise drill bits. But seeing the center is the most essential thing
Old school method was to use the tip of an X-acto knife and twist until you drilled a hole in the end. But the pin vise and micro twist drill set is fairly cheap, does a better job and comes in multiple sizes. Besides, your hole are a uniform diameter and not conical when completed.
Well drilling out barrels is one thing but for some .50 caliber barrels and Mg34 and MG42 those have flash supressors and you will need to drill them out with a pin vise and drill bit but you will also need to use a xacto blade to hollow out the supressors.
To my knowledge there is no “fast” way…like the others have said, carefully mark the center and carefully…slowly…drill
Rounds Complete!!
Thank you for your helpful input.
Thank you for your helpful input
I agree, finding(seeing) the exact center is the key. Most of the time it’s, just a matter of dumb luck.
Jim
You make some good points. Thank you for your helpful input
Yes, the flash supressor is best hollowed out with an x-acto knife. Thank you for your helpful input
You’re right, no fast way. Thank you for your helpful input
I also use the Xacto method…it must be new and UNUSED ! and if necessary a follow up with an appropriate bit.
Works really well for me
best of luck
tread[H]
Now Treadwell you do realise that rifles like the KAR98 and the Mosin Nagant 91/30 and the Mosin Nagant M38 and M44 Carbines also have front sights that need to be drilled out due to their hoop sights on the front of the rifle. This will make 1/35 scale versions of these battle rifles more realistic.
A good trick to use to help find the center is to blacken the surface you’re drilling with a sharpie…then drill out under magnification. When you start the hole, the contrast between the exposed plastic and the sharpie color can help determine if you’re truly centered or need to adjust slightly.