Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Kimber Montana Ti bolt handle finished

Well, i had time to get it done today. I contemplated hollowing out the ball a little more but i got lazy. Original bolt handle was 1.8oz <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> New one is .8oz <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> so exactly an ounce saved and cut the weight by more than half. I know, i have too much time on my hands, but i did this as a fill in job at work and it didnt cost me a dime...

Thats fabulous schmaltz. My hats off to you. I did not even get the titanium yet!

How did you cut the thread?

I like every part of it. Its perfect.

Cool. It's also a nice personal touch to your rifle.

I did the threads with a Die. The lathe i used didnt have a metric thread setting that i could find. I used a tool i made that holds the die in the tailstock so it goes on nice and straight. Then i turned the die around to get the threads cut a little further to the shoulder. I formed the ball freehand by working the feed wheels, and then took a die grinder and carbid burr to it while it was spinning in the lathe to rough it in the rest. then cranked the lathe up onto light speed and took the emery paper to it.
The Ti was a lot easier to work with that i thought it would be. In fact i think it was like a cross between steel and bronze.
I drilled a hole about .265 in the ball, and then took a 7/16 ball end mill and put a reverse radius on the edge of the hole to add a nice look. But besides that, the hole is straight in with no back cuts, and i could have saved more wieght if i took a small boring bar to it but like i said, i was lazy and my lunch time was running short. the ball is .750
I thought about bead blasting it to match the other parts but i like the way it stands out, and makes it different. and it also matches the polished parts of the bolt.

Schmalts, very nice work there partner!

What's the weight to cost ratio (grins)?

That looks good!

There LOTS of different Ti alloy's. Some are a pain to machine. I worked at a Ti recycle plant for a while (between jobs) it was kind of neat and learned a lot.
Looks very nice....

You would have to ask my boss.... i think he lost money <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Dave, this one started it's life as a sprint car axle shaft that was sheared off and scrapped. I guess the 12 inch part was originally $800 !! it was free for me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Schmalts, didjya compare weights on a digi scale?

yea, 1.8 oz stock, my Ti handle is .8 oz

Sweet!

you have a marketable product.. where do you send order info?

woofer

schmalts, You can put me on the list. I would like to order one.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> RL

Kudus, I must admit that at first I was dubious about the project. Now looking at the finished product I think you did an awesome job. Way to go!.............DJ

Really nice job.

Do you think it would be possible to put a slight rearward dogleg bend to get away from just being straight?

MM

Well the cost of antelope hunting with me in two states will be exactly one Ti bolt handle. Get on it, I pick up my 7wsm in two weeks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice work beaotch. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

If it's made of metal, i can do it...
But yes i could. Now that it is finished i would have to tighten it up to index it, mark the 12:00 position and use that as a reference to bend it so that when it is re-installed it will be bent in the right spot. If i was to do one with a bend i would make the ball even smaller and make the whole thing about 3/8 inch longer.
Miller, who is going to owe who???

Sweet! I like the look. You did good, regardless of what miller thinks. When we chasing goats??

I think a slight rearward flare, ala M-70 would enhance the effect.

On the other hand each gun will probably index a little differently due to thread variance, so probably not possible except having the gun in hand.........

MM

Makes me want to go out and buy a 'lil sky. Well, OK I already wanted to, but............. If I do, I gotta have one of those handles! Wanna hunt lopes in WY too?