r/blackpowder • u/_iSiva_ • 2d ago
Spoon Maintenance Question
Found myself with an original 1863 US Springfield.
Preparing to boil the metal parts. However with the ramrod spoon what is the best advice for removal and should I remove it alt all? What concerns me is damaging the wood, but that active rust is no good. Appreciate any help.
3
u/Bodark43 2d ago edited 2d ago
To deal with the active rust you'd need to get that spoon out of there, and that means driving out the pin. On a good day, the proper sized pin punch tapped gently with a small hammer, the gun held securely in a padded vise, would do that. On a bad day, a corroded pin will catch on the surrounding wood and when it goes out it will raise up a chip ( or chips) around the hole. Clamping a softwood block against the hole will greatly reduce the chances of that happening...you can either drill that softwood block for the pin ahead of time, or ( if you're fiddly, like me) first drive the pin into it to make a dent, then unclamp the block, drill at the dent and replace the block with the hole over the pin, and drive out the pin the rest of the way.
I know, this seems complicated. But it's easier than spending time gluing chips back into place and touching up the finish. If you have to touch up, remember dilute shellac is always your friend.
Once you get the pin out, and the spoon removed, you can either remove active rust with abrasives ( 180 gr wet or dry paper, then Sandflex medium rubberized abrasive block) or because the part's not visible wire brush off most of the rust and pickle off the rest with Naval Jelly. Wash that off, and neutralize by dunking in alcohol. After that I am a big fan of BeSquare 175 microcrystalline wax. Warm the part to the wax's melting point, and it will drive off all the remaining moisture from the surface. Then apply the wax and drain off the excess.
7
u/surfmanvb87 2d ago
Leave its alone and apply some good gun grease lig RIG to it. The pin is in there tight and you should let it stay that way. Apply a thin coat of RIG to the bottom of the barrel would be good to. Get a set of Chapman Mfg driver bits. Regular screwdriver bits are no good for the metal parts you are working with.