Action/Barrel Bedding with JB Weld and Filler

[roo_ster]

Ran across several "Bed your action & bbl with JB Weld" videos on The Great Teacher of the Intertubes, youtube.

Reading up on it, it seems JB Weld is better than most options for this task.  I was wondering, however, if a good filler option can be found at Lowes or Home Depot, where I buy my JB Weld.  I have used baking soda with CA glues, but that hardly seems appropriate for this application.

I will start with the kids' Crickett Rifles, especially since I have an extra stock.

[bedlamite]

I've always used hardwood sawdust for filler.

[brimic]

The only thing I've bedded so far with jb weld was a  1piece scope rail on a savage action. It worked really well.

[geronimotwo]

jb weld seems a likely candidate.  just rough up the stock, and use a good release agent on the receiver.   i've used fiberglass resin with glass filler/thickener before.

[Kingcreek]

Why not just order some Brownell's AccraGlass?
that's the only thing I've ever used but I'm sure JB Weld would work too.

[roo_ster]

Why not just order some Brownell's AccraGlass?
that's the only thing I've ever used but I'm sure JB Weld would work too.

I can get JB at the hardware store.  And JB is supposed to be stronger.

But mostly, because I can get JB at the hardware store.

[charby]

I can get JB at the hardware store.  And JB is supposed to be stronger.

But mostly, because I can get JB at the hardware store.

If the rifle already shoots accurate enough for you without bedding, I would forgo bedding.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I am eager to hear how your project works out.  I have a rifle that needs to be bedded, and while I have some Acraglas around somewhere, I'd rather use JB. 

[zahc]

Why do you think you need filler?

I bedded my 10/22 into its laminated stock and it made a substantial difference in the groups. I used JB weld and shoe polish release.

[birdman]

Ran across several "Bed your action & bbl with JB Weld" videos on The Great Teacher of the Intertubes, youtube.

Reading up on it, it seems JB Weld is better than most options for this task.  I was wondering, however, if a good filler option can be found at Lowes or Home Depot, where I buy my JB Weld.  I have used baking soda with CA glues, but that hardly seems appropriate for this application.

I will start with the kids' Crickett Rifles, especially since I have an extra stock.

Glass microspheres.  Find a hobby/model airplane shop.  Best possible filler.

[rcnixon]

Glass microspheres.  Find a hobby/model airplane shop.  Best possible filler.

This.

The product is called microballoons.

Teh Google is yr frend:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/bubbles.php

Russ

[HankB]

I've always used either Acraglas (barrel channel) or Acraglas Gel (action area) and have gotten good results in rifles from .22 rimfire to a .375 H&H.

Brownell's recommends (and sells) finely powdered metals to use as a filler - basic thinking is that it toughens and reinforces the Acraglas.

But in response to my inquiry - Brownell's responded that they've done NO testing to quantify the improvement. (If any.)

I find that a bit . . . bothersome.

[birdman]

This.

The product is called microballoons.

Teh Google is yr frend:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/bubbles.php

Russ

Microballoons and microspheres are different (the latter isn't hollow)
That said, both work just fine, the latter is just far stronger.

[zahc]

Can someone explain the reason for the filler? JB already has metal powder in it. What needs filled?

[birdman]

Can someone explain the reason for the filler? JB already has metal powder in it. What needs filled?

The filler increases rigidity and improves damping characteristics, not to mention makes it much lighter.

[Triphammer]

I've used JB w/o filler a few times and another steel reinforced epoxy, the name of which I can't remember. I've used Accraglass a time or two but don't really care for it, too runny. PC7 works quite well, again w/o  filler. I've got a Marlin 22 Mag bolt rifle I did the action in PC7 30 some years ago & its held up well.

[roo_ster]

I am interested in a filler mostly to stiffen up the uncured mix.  Any other benefits are secondary.

I already have some microballoons or spheres in my rc plane tool kit.  I thought maybe the paint dept might have powdered aluminum or some such for texturing or whatnot.

I suppose i could cut up some fiberglass cloth i have on hand as an alternative.

The cricketts bbl and action fit in the stock is sloppy to the point i can get bbl or action movement after tightening the action screw.

[French G.]

I've done a fair bit of composite work, microballoons are good, never used spheres. Another option is to take fiberglass cloth and pull some of the strands free so it's uni-directional and then snip that with scissors until you end up with a pile of 1/4 to 1/2" fibers. Mix that into the resin. JB weld is pretty decent for bedding, cheaper than some of the appropriate Hysol or Devcon.

[geronimotwo]

an online resin supplier would have most of the different fillers.   chopped glass, micro balloons, cabasil, etc.   i'm not sold on the aluminum powder as it oxidizes.  i'm also not sure about chopping your own glass.  i would be concerned about it giving uneven results and not shmoozing out consistently.