Brand name products for re-gluing a Panda action into a composite bench stock

[rammer43]

I would like to repaint a composite benchrest stock with the action, trigger, and barrel removed. What brand name epoxy glue and product number would you suggest I use? I am planning on one of two finishes to put on the stock, either a automotive finish or possibly a Hydro-Dip finish with a carbon fiber look to it. Has anyone had a stock soda blasted to remove the old finish? I have seen fiberglass cars that have been soda blasted to the glass and then painted and they look like new. When I go to put the action back in the stock are there any written instructions that I could use? Should the action be clamped? and if so with what kind of pressure holding it in place until it sets up and bonds. I have looked for gluing information/instructions and have not found any. Thanks much. Richard Ramsey

 

[alinwa]

Wow.... gluing actions into stocks is a large subject, big, huge, rife with opinions.

I will state some of mine.

ROUGH UP the glued portion of the action
DEGREASE beyond belief, like soak in MEK for two days
ALIGNMENT is hyper-critical
DO NOT CLAMP or exert any bending forces on anything, IMO barreled action should be floating stress-free resting on midpoint of barrel and tang
DEVCON for bulk buildup and JB WELD for glue-in skim is common

time spent now will pay dividends, keep asking questions until you've done the project start to finish in your head, ten times.

specific questions are easier to address than generalities.

hope this gets the ball rolling

al

 

[Fergus Bailey]

There is plenty of detail written on how to bed with epoxy and pillars, but I have not been able to find anything in writing that describes the bedding of a glue-in on a BR rifle. I have received some good descriptions from members of this site, but I would still really like to see a detailed end-to-end tutorial in writing or a video.

Al, I don’t dispute any of the factors you have listed, but how are these outcomes achieved? EG “ALIGNMENT is hyper-critical” – This means on multi axis, both the barrel and trigger need to be aligned. How to best achieve this without risking the introduction of stress?

 

[alinwa]

Al, I don’t dispute any of the factors you have listed, but how are these outcomes achieved? EG “ALIGNMENT is hyper-critical” – This means on multi axis, both the barrel and trigger need to be aligned. How to best achieve this without risking the introduction of stress?

Well, I'll share some of my method. Not necessarily right but here's what I consider important...


First of all you must locate and define the alignment surfaces on the exterior of the stock.... you must establish the relationships side-to-side, top-to-bottom and front-to-rear. From this you can establish true centerline. Well, you'll actually pick a centerline, something to work from. You can also find out whether or not the stock is straight and what to do about it.

Now that you've got a centerline, whatcha' gonna' DO with it??? Do you want the bore ON centerline? Muzzle high? Muzzle low? bias for torque? Bias for flex? I've never aligned a trigger, you've got me there.

Once you've got the centerline established and the necessary clearances you bed the rifle conventionally using lots of release agent. By conventionally I mean bed it as you would a removable one, using wedges, shims, props and gravity to effect your alignment. No clamps/screws/surgical tubing etc. Now scrape it all down for the skim coat, rough up the action, degrease and glue it together.

al