We usually do not copy replies or responses from other boards. But the question was asked here before, and an answer referred to this rather helpful outside material. So, I'll make an exception and add the assembled knowledge:
http://p102.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm33.showMessage?topicID=3444.topic
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1295
(7/29/06 8:46 pm)
Bayonet/sling band removal trouble...
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I cannot depress the sling band spring sufficiently on my M96 to remove the band. The bayonet band spring responded to a 3/8" hardwood dowel used to depress and drift the band using a plastic mallet - just cannot get the spring depressed enough to release the band. I will not ham-fist this to get the band off; I need suggestions. TIA. ed
MP78
Host
Posts: 1475
(7/29/06 9:29 pm)
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I know of a couple ways to depress a stubborn spring and remove the band.
One uses a small vise grip type clamp. The kind with the pistol grip to close and tighten. A small piece of wood the width of the band spring or slightly smaller. Place the wood piece on the spring and tighten down the clamp and then use a drift tapping top and bottom or side to side to remove the band.
The other is far easier.
Place the rifle upside down in a rifle vise or other fairly stable platform. You can just hold it steady if your careful.
Take a thin straight screw driver. Place a piece of tape over the blade to protect the blueing on the band and spring. Then place the screw driver tip in the little gap at the back of the band where the spring starts and press down on the spring. The tip of the screw driver will slide down into the gap and depress the band spring. With the spring depressed lever the screw driver forward against the barrel band and move it forward off of the spring...It is very easy when you've done it before and sounds difficult when writing it down but once you've done it you'll say, Dang that was easy.
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1297
(7/29/06 9:43 pm)
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MP78: I considered the use of a screwdriver but hadn't thought of the tape to protect the metal - excellent idea.
Second thought - since I am already using some hardwood dowel is to use a padded cabinet gluing clamp, much as you suggest. Will have a careful go at this tomorrow morning, well rested. Thank you. ed
Swedeman1
active member
Posts: 69
(7/30/06 7:14 am)
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I know you probably have, but just to make sure ... have you removed the cleaning rod? The spring will not depress if the rod is not removed.
Another handy tool for safely depressing into the notches between the springs and bands is an old tooth bruss handle that has been shaved to look like a screw driver tip. Since it is plastic it won't scratch the metal.
MP78
Host
Posts: 1477
(7/30/06 7:57 am)
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I just took it for granted that he had removed the cleaning rod because he was able to depress the band spring on the front band and bayonette mount.
The screw down "c" clamps are harder to use. It seems that when you try to keep things all lined up you sure could use a third hand, that's why one of the trigger squeeze types works better.
Swedeman1, Thats a great idea about the tooth brush handle. I've seen it posted before but haven't tried it..Jim
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1298
(7/30/06 2:10 pm)
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Swedeman1: I remember now that you suggested that earlier; just forgot - thanks - now, where did I put all those old toothbrushes I've saved?
MP78: The clamp isn't a "screw-down" but one of those with a pistol-grip which clamps by squeezing the "trigger" to close up the jaws. "C clamps" only work for people with 3 or 4 hands, I think.
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1299
(7/30/06 4:18 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a struggle, using the taped screw-driver blade method (couldn't find those old toothbruses), I was able to get the sling band off - tight bugger! Very difficult to remove and not much easier to reinstall. Wood numbers match the rest of the rifle so I have satisfied my need to remove the wood - probably won't do that again unless some other need arises. Thanks again to Swedeman1 and MP78. ed
MP78
Host
Posts: 1479
(7/30/06 10:56 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi ED sometimes old dried cosmoline and dirt can get under the band spring making it hard to push down enough for easy band removal. If you ever take the rifle appart again you may want to tap out the band spring and clean under it...Jim
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1300
(7/31/06 7:42 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MP78: Good idea... if I ever remove the sling band again. I didn't think of that while I had the rifle disassembled - it was done out on the picnic table, temperature was 100F and I was pouring sweat; just wanted to get the immediate thing at hand done. I was very surprised at the stiffness of the sling band spring c/w the ease of removal of the bayonet band. You are probably correct; I will may try this again in a week or so but if I do, how does one remove the spring? TIA. ed
MP78
Host
Posts: 1480
(8/1/06 5:19 pm)
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In the barrel channel directly above the spring you will see a little rectangle shape, Just take a small punch and tap it towards the bottom of the stock. The spring will come out without much effort...Jim
http://p102.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm33.showMessage?topicID=3444.topic
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1295
(7/29/06 8:46 pm)
Bayonet/sling band removal trouble...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot depress the sling band spring sufficiently on my M96 to remove the band. The bayonet band spring responded to a 3/8" hardwood dowel used to depress and drift the band using a plastic mallet - just cannot get the spring depressed enough to release the band. I will not ham-fist this to get the band off; I need suggestions. TIA. ed
MP78
Host
Posts: 1475
(7/29/06 9:29 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know of a couple ways to depress a stubborn spring and remove the band.
One uses a small vise grip type clamp. The kind with the pistol grip to close and tighten. A small piece of wood the width of the band spring or slightly smaller. Place the wood piece on the spring and tighten down the clamp and then use a drift tapping top and bottom or side to side to remove the band.
The other is far easier.
Place the rifle upside down in a rifle vise or other fairly stable platform. You can just hold it steady if your careful.
Take a thin straight screw driver. Place a piece of tape over the blade to protect the blueing on the band and spring. Then place the screw driver tip in the little gap at the back of the band where the spring starts and press down on the spring. The tip of the screw driver will slide down into the gap and depress the band spring. With the spring depressed lever the screw driver forward against the barrel band and move it forward off of the spring...It is very easy when you've done it before and sounds difficult when writing it down but once you've done it you'll say, Dang that was easy.
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1297
(7/29/06 9:43 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MP78: I considered the use of a screwdriver but hadn't thought of the tape to protect the metal - excellent idea.
Second thought - since I am already using some hardwood dowel is to use a padded cabinet gluing clamp, much as you suggest. Will have a careful go at this tomorrow morning, well rested. Thank you. ed
Swedeman1
active member
Posts: 69
(7/30/06 7:14 am)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know you probably have, but just to make sure ... have you removed the cleaning rod? The spring will not depress if the rod is not removed.
Another handy tool for safely depressing into the notches between the springs and bands is an old tooth bruss handle that has been shaved to look like a screw driver tip. Since it is plastic it won't scratch the metal.
MP78
Host
Posts: 1477
(7/30/06 7:57 am)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just took it for granted that he had removed the cleaning rod because he was able to depress the band spring on the front band and bayonette mount.
The screw down "c" clamps are harder to use. It seems that when you try to keep things all lined up you sure could use a third hand, that's why one of the trigger squeeze types works better.
Swedeman1, Thats a great idea about the tooth brush handle. I've seen it posted before but haven't tried it..Jim
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1298
(7/30/06 2:10 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swedeman1: I remember now that you suggested that earlier; just forgot - thanks - now, where did I put all those old toothbrushes I've saved?
MP78: The clamp isn't a "screw-down" but one of those with a pistol-grip which clamps by squeezing the "trigger" to close up the jaws. "C clamps" only work for people with 3 or 4 hands, I think.
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1299
(7/30/06 4:18 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a struggle, using the taped screw-driver blade method (couldn't find those old toothbruses), I was able to get the sling band off - tight bugger! Very difficult to remove and not much easier to reinstall. Wood numbers match the rest of the rifle so I have satisfied my need to remove the wood - probably won't do that again unless some other need arises. Thanks again to Swedeman1 and MP78. ed
MP78
Host
Posts: 1479
(7/30/06 10:56 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi ED sometimes old dried cosmoline and dirt can get under the band spring making it hard to push down enough for easy band removal. If you ever take the rifle appart again you may want to tap out the band spring and clean under it...Jim
Ed Novak
Veteran member
Posts: 1300
(7/31/06 7:42 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MP78: Good idea... if I ever remove the sling band again. I didn't think of that while I had the rifle disassembled - it was done out on the picnic table, temperature was 100F and I was pouring sweat; just wanted to get the immediate thing at hand done. I was very surprised at the stiffness of the sling band spring c/w the ease of removal of the bayonet band. You are probably correct; I will may try this again in a week or so but if I do, how does one remove the spring? TIA. ed
MP78
Host
Posts: 1480
(8/1/06 5:19 pm)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the barrel channel directly above the spring you will see a little rectangle shape, Just take a small punch and tap it towards the bottom of the stock. The spring will come out without much effort...Jim