Maverick Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 Hi Guys, Can anyone advise me on how to polish and clean up the breech on my Howitzer, below is a picture taken in 2001 of the breech just after I spent 2 hours unjamming it and get the mechanism to work, since then it has cleaned up fairly well but the metal is stained in places and is very dull, Ive never been happy with it so can anyone recommend what tools etc to use to polish it up and remove the staining ??? I also want to do the same to the barrel so can anyone recommend where I can get any type of military barrel brush and rods to fit a 155mm dia barrel and what's the best way of cleaning it just with WD40 or something a bit more specialist ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 Hi Stuart You can pick up barrel staves from time to time ,if its practicality you need you can pick up staves and brushes for the 155mm FH70 ,although relatively modern they would do your job for cleaning the barrel.I should amagine they would be aluminium. I will keep an eye out and let you know if I find anything. Rob ................rnixartillery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan turner (RIP) Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 what about Mr Muscle oven cleaner for the breech interupted thread. It takes humbrol paint off plastic kits without affecting the plastic so it could be kind enough to work on the metal, especially if the breech is rotated whilst it is still foaming. It does affect clear plastic though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 (edited) cillit bang is what you need,A mate of mine cleans up tarnished brass cases with the stuff and it does a hell of a job. However I will have to ask him which colour top the container has because one is better than the other but you must remember to wear your Marigolds. (O, I say ). Rob.....................rnixartillery. Edited March 28, 2010 by rnixartillery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted March 28, 2010 Author Share Posted March 28, 2010 Yes that's exactly what I need, something correct for the job and practical so a barrel cleaning set for the British 155mm FH70 is ideal, but I don't know where to get anything like that, Withams maybe ???? If you can keep a look our for a set that would be great. So Mr Muscle or Cillit Bang is recommend, does that mean when I use it, do I have to shout like Barry Scott in the adverts and wear my full rubber NBC suit, or am I getting carried away and just stick to the Marigolds ??? I did think about brick acid ??? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 I have just been offered a breech brush which is great, so I'm still looking for the staffs / rods and barrel brush. Rob any luck with finding out what colour top Cilit Bang I should use ??? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 ALL the inside area of the threads & matching internals of the breech must be BURNISHED,SHINEY Bare Metal. Then oiled. I would imagine you will have some pitting now after all that rust! Cant do a lot about that though! :nut: ALL ordanance is bare metal in these areas due to high pressure & needing smooth operating surfaces. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 Yes there is some light pitting in area's as well as stained metal work, I know Its never going to be perfect but just want to get it as good as I can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Yes there is some light pitting in area's as well as stained metal work, I know Its never going to be perfect but just want to get it as good as I can Get in as best as you can with a rotary wire brush on an Electric drill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan turner (RIP) Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 How has the breech come up after cleaning and what worked best ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted April 21, 2010 Author Share Posted April 21, 2010 How has the breech come up after cleaning and what worked best ? Its getting there, Its certainly a lot better than it was. I'll try a post a pic next week when I'm back up there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan turner (RIP) Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 talking to the guy who is sargent of the museum gun team and he say that on his previous team they used toothpaste to keep threads clean, didnt say if that was a punishment from a civvy officer type team leader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 He's the latest picture, its getting there, just a bit more work to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan turner (RIP) Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 looks a totally different breech block from how it was first shown. well done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Thanks for the kind words, I've still got more work to do to it before I'm completely happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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