Asbestos packing

[coryt]

Anyone have a supply of the string used for packing the bbl? I've just done up a post sample live gun. Asbestos string is not available in the US. Some have suggested Teflon valve packing string, or Viton 'O' rings. If the string is still available somewhere, I'd like to try sticking to the original program.

Cory Trapp
Gunsite Academy, Inc.
[phone]
www.gunsite.com

[Peter Wells]

Hi Coryt

I think you'll probably have a problem finding (and using) asbestos string due to health concerns.

In reality, if you don't plan to shoot your gun ultra hot, ordinary household string (the white 1 - 2mm thick stuff we get here in SA) well greased and inserted the correct way works just fine.

If it gets too hot, assuming you are using the full cooling setup (water, hose and can) this should survive a good few belts and, even if it gets tooooo hot and burns, all that will happen is you will get some water leakage into the body or at the muzzle which is no problem at all.

[privatefjordy]

There was some listed on eBay recently, I found it when doing a search for Vickers available worldwide. The listing vanished in under a day, I guess because of the Health & Safety concerns. If I remember correctly, it was listed by someone in the USA.

If you can find a company that sells supplies for restoring steam engines, or model engineering supplies, they might have something suitable as a safe substitute.

George.

[reme245]

If Ryton Arms are willing to sell it to you, they did have large quanities which was supplied with their Russian Maxim Guns.

Interestingly it came in two thread sizes where as I believe Vickers were only supplied with one size?

As George as already said, it is probably illegal to sell the stuff in the UK.

[Richard Fisher]

Bear in mind that asbestos is still mined in Canada and that some may be available there.

The White asbestos used in the packing string is fibrous and easily released into the air. As an aside, a couple of years ago, I had to give a statement to an Australian court on the usage of asbestos within the day-today aspects of the Vickers. Quite interesting that the legal team on behalf of the claimant actually determined that the exposure would not have been sufficient to lead to long-term health issues (small quantities used in large open spaces).

I would recommend standard string in high-temperature resistant grease.

TTFN

Rich

[woodsy]

I agree with Peter. I have used ordinary string, well greased, and after 500 rounds it was still perfectly good.

[coryt]

How about Kevlar string as a subsitute? Heat and fray resistant, should be quite similar to the original asbestos. What diameter was the original packing string? I can find Kevlar from thread sizes up to 1/8" or more cord. Seems to me the 1/8" woven cord might be about right. Anybody know the actual size?

[todd]

Would Teflon coated string work? It is 3/32" diameter and tolerates to +500 degree F. Here's a link www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1272770&cid= for a US source.