soldering Question

[fecmech]

I have a Win 94 Angle eject lever action .357. The "link" that pivots on the bottom of the action and that the lever passes through has very sloppy tolerances. The outside dimensions are .023 smaller than the receiver and the slot for the lever is about .025 bigger than the lever. This means the lever rattles badly side to side and just basically feels very sloppy. The part is I believe cast steel as it has a somewhat granular appearance. I would like to solder .010 brass shim stock in the appropriate places on either side of the link and inside the link where the lever passes through. I have some 95/5 and some 60/40 solder and my question is what flux to use and what would be the best approach to this job. I plan on cold blueing the part when done as I'm guessing the solder flux may trash the blueing. Thanks in advance. Nick

 

[rcmodel]

Why not just get some .010" steel shim stock and make washers to take up the slack.

They wouldn't need to be soldered on, and won't wear out in a short time like brass shim stock.

 

[fecmech]

The washer idea would work on the inside portion of the link where the pin goes through the lever but not on the rear portion of the link where it fits into the frame. You can really see why Winchester went out of business, the slop in the link and lever are really gross!

 

[rcmodel]

1894 Winchesters were never known for their tightness, at any point in history.

They are loose on purpose so the dirt that falls in the top can fall out the bottom.

 

[jwr747]

thats a big area to solder,I've had great luck on stuff like that with SuperGlue.rough up the contact area and use the thicker glue. jwr

 

[fecmech]

"They are loose on purpose so the dirt that falls in the top can fall out the bottom."

I like that! That is probably what Winchester would tell me if I asked them. Yesterday I was at a gun show and tried about a dozen older Mod 94's and yes, they are not tight but mine (made about 2004) has about 3 times the slop I saw on the older guns.
JWR--I think I may try your idea with some AccraGlass and steel shim stock ala RC's suggestion.