How to Straighten the Barrels?

Luftwaffe Flak · Post by **Luftwaffe Flak** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:41 am

Im sorry if this has been beat to death before, I did a search but it didnt find anything. Im curious how do I straighten the bent barrels in my packs? TIA and all the best, Jonathan

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:46 am

Maybe not so much a how you "do", but how you "might" straighten the barrels...

I've tried several approaches, and have settled on this. I have a particular kind of tweezers ... I don't know what the proper name is for this style is, but they are made for wire-wrapping and wire forming. Maybe they're called flat-heads, or goose-necks, or hammer-heads, or I don't know what...

Here is an illustration of tweezer types. The type I use is a #6 in this photo:

You can see them at the back of this picture of my set-up:

These work really well in my experience. You don't actually try to re-bend the barrels. You just place the barrel in the end of the tweezers, and you gently squeeze it. The tweezers have a very flat, long, squeezing surface. It forces the barrel straight. Then you rotate the barrel/turret 90 degrees, and squeeze it again. That way it is straightened in two planes. Very simple to do, and works like a champ almost every time.

I'll try to take some photos of the tweezers and the process, and post 'em up, some time in the next few days.

Luftwaffe Flak · Post by **Luftwaffe Flak** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:47 pm

Thank you Mark! I appreciate your help! All the best, Jonathan

Ritter · Post by **Ritter** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:33 pm

So you've got a bent barrel?

Ive heard if you leave it alone for a bit, it might straighten out on its own

Seriously though, I replace most of my long barrels with sewing pins - even the ones with muzzle brakes. I find I can add lead foil and brass and turn them on the dremel tool, getting a pretty good looking brake in a few minutes. Goodbye bent barrels - (unless you play with it too much

)

Troy

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:57 pm

Ritter wrote:So you've got a bent barrel?

Ive heard if you leave it alone for a bit, it might straighten out on its own

You're thinking barrel droop, Troy. Bent barrel is a far more serious condition, more likely resulting from mis-handling than over-use, and unless you're willing to live with it, you'll need to treat it.

Goodbye bent barrels - (unless you play with it too much )

TMI, Troy. TMI.

Cav Dog · Post by **Cav Dog** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:14 am

I use a pair of flat nose pliers and just kind of gently squeeze it straight. It can take a couple of attempts from a couple of different angles.

zaevor2000 · Post by **zaevor2000** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:49 am

I use the same technique as Cav Dog, just some flat nose pliers from at least 2 different angles.

This is also the reason I mount my tanks on 1 1/2" x 1", to keep the barrels from overhanging the base and getting bent again...

Some excellent advice from members here.

Frank

Mikee · Post by **Mikee** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:10 am

I use a "flat smooth decal/stamp tweezer" to straighten gun barrels. Since I'm a naval ship collector, there's lots of 'em. If you're interested in this, check out MICRO-MARK. this company sells by mail, & has quite a catalog of small tools. the tweezers are item #60907, and is on page 85 of my most recent catalog.

Incidentally, if you're looking for something to hold small pieces. check out the "CROSS-LOCKING CLAMPS" on page 12 (item #60903). I've got about 30-odd of 'em, & sometimes need more. (One modern U.S. BB can take about 17, just to hold primary and secondary gun turrets, cranes and aircraft catapults.) I also like the specialty brushes - 20 O spotter, especially - with a thick handle, for most work on my ships.

Micro Mark has a ton of tools for the really serious modeller.

Mikee