Welders, I need a dovetail weld filled on a Henry .22

[John from MD]

Do we have anyone who does small welding jobs? Can the front sight dovetail be weld filled without warping the barrel?

 

[Doco Overboard]

Yes a barrel can be welded as long as a method of heat control is applied to the task and the person doing the work critically thinks out the task and most importantly takes his time. What needs to be considered is the heat not being bled off into a vise and being allowed to travel rearwards through the tube resulting in a possible kink.
I cant imagine a dovetail cut into a barrel for a 22 being very large to begin with especially at the muzzle.
However I would probably use a method other than welding to fill a dovetail other than welding which is too hard to reverse.
But, conversely on a 22 there would be probably never be a reason for the barrel to have to be replaced unless some sort of catastrophic physical damage occurs like a trip fall or something that causes it to become bent.
Rust would be the other or maybe even too many shorts being fired through one.
I think if I were to undertake a project like that instead of welding I would fill the dovetail with acra glass gel dyed black or even fashion a brass dovetail filler filed to fit the barrel contour that can be blackened once its tightly fit.
Because some of these Henry rifles I looked at have a pretty decent black-blue appearance I would be inclined to think also maintaining the original appearance would be much easier.

Of course the right way to do it would be to remove the barrel weld it up in a pan of water, turn and polish the barrel and then reprove it after installation.

 

[John from MD]

Yes a barrel can be welded as long as a method of heat control is applied to the task and the person doing the work critically thinks out the task and most importantly takes his time. What needs to be considered is the heat not being bled off into a vise and being allowed to travel rearwards through the tube resulting in a possible kink.
I cant imagine a dovetail cut into a barrel for a 22 being very large to begin with especially at the muzzle.
However I would probably use a method other than welding to fill a dovetail other than welding which is too hard to reverse.
But, conversely on a 22 there would be probably never be a reason for the barrel to have to be replaced unless some sort of catastrophic physical damage occurs like a trip fall or something that causes it to become bent.
Rust would be the other or maybe even too many shorts being fired through one.
I think if I were to undertake a project like that instead of welding I would fill the dovetail with acra glass gel dyed black or even fashion a brass dovetail filler filed to fit the barrel contour that can be blackened once its tightly fit.
Because some of these Henry rifles I looked at have a pretty decent black-blue appearance I would be inclined to think also maintaining the original appearance would be much easier.

Of course the right way to do it would be to remove the barrel weld it up in a pan of water, turn and polish the barrel and then reprove it after installation.

The dovetail has to be filled by weld because it is going to be threaded 1/2x28 for a can. I'm not too worried about the appearance, even though it is a nice looking rifle, as it is going to be used for varmint hunting.

 

[Doco Overboard]

The dovetail has to be filled by weld because it is going to be threaded 1/2x28 for a can. I'm not too worried about the appearance, even though it is a nice looking rifle, as it is going to be used for varmint hunting.

Oh, you didn't say what you were going to do with it.
Otherwise, my son could do that no problem but he costs money.
Other wise I'm sure all these wham blam gun shops that advertise professional gunsmithing and do paint jobs could knock it right out.

 

[Antietamgw]

John, couldn't you just add a dovetail filler block, secure with Loctite Black Max #380 or Sleeve Retainer (Gorilla Snot) or even Force44 solder, then turn the barrel to your desired major diameter and cut the threads. Dovetail disappears, plenty strong for the application and barely harder than a threading job. Just a thought.

 

[John from MD]

John, couldn't you just add a dovetail filler block, secure with Loctite Black Max #380 or Sleeve Retainer (Gorilla Snot) or even Force44 solder, then turn the barrel to your desired major diameter and cut the threads. Dovetail disappears, plenty strong for the application and barely harder than a threading job. Just a thought.

That might work in a pinch but I found a member of my club who owns a welding business who is going to do it. I never thought to go to him because I thought he only did big construction and marine stuff.

 

[303_enfield]

Don’t weld it. Pin the sight (two one each side), silver solder and then mill it. Less heat then a weld and “should” look better when done.

 

[John from MD]

Don’t weld it. Pin the sight (two one each side), silver solder and then mill it. Less heat then a weld and “should” look better when done.

This is all about threading a 16.1 inch barrel. The dovetail area is being filled in as the threads have to go there. I will clean it up by draw filing and touching up the area when finished.

 

[303_enfield]

This is all about threading a 16.1 inch barrel. The dovetail area is being filled in as the threads have to go there. I will clean it up by draw filing and touching up the area when finished.

Yes, an pinning an silver solder is the way.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Yes, an pinning an silver solder is the way.

This is like the the third thread pertaining to the same subject.
Post 5 is also a viable alternative with the exception of the adhesives which i wouldn't feel necessary with a correctly fitted dovetail block but certainly wouldn't hurt.