Anyone tried recontouring a badly pitted barrel with a file?

[Brass Rat]

In progress on top and before on the bottom.


I have discovered that metal working is pretty much slow motion compared to woodworking.


Having a file brush would definately speed things up. 220 grit emery cloth using a shoe shine motion really smooths out the file marks.


This long stroke filing motion is good exercise for my shoulder.

I know, this is a lot of work to put into a barrel that is going in the recycling bin but that's how you learn.

[Brass Rat]

Just made another discovery, those long handled grill brushes clean files just fine.

[Aughnanure]

Here's a trick that I learnt in the Army; flatten out a cartridge case and work the flat bit across the file in line with the grooves, removes even the most stubborn rubbish.
Slow method at first but once you get the hang of it, it works fine.

Don't forget plenty of chalk on the file helps to prevent clogging.

Wait till you graduate to an octagon barrel

[Brass Rat]

Thanks, I didn't think about using chalk. I have a bucket of driveway chalk for my grand kids that should work just fine.

[Brass Rat]

Barrel is nearly done. Couldn't get all of the pits out but it is good enough for one of the bake on finishes. The receiver has quite a few small pits in it that I don't really want to try and grind out.

Maybe something like this http://www.lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm? ... ory_id=929