Vickers build completed!

[coryt]

I completed the rebuild of the IMA kit yesterday. Runs perfectly! Needed to make a new headspace washer, as furnished it was .005 too long. Met up with Dolf Goldsmith at the SHOT show in Vegas, took his advice and used graphite valve packing for the glands, works fine. The azimuth dial was a bent DP part, but straightend up well enough. The transit case cleaned up quite well, but will need new felt. The jacket pad is from IMA, not a high quality repro. The steam hose fitting is quite nice, I've still got to crimp the hose. I've been unable to locate a 2 gal can for a reasonable price, so I'm using a 5 gal Jerry can. Also still need to locate a balance scale and spanner.

CT

[toms]

Cory, very nice looking Vickers. How did you finish the water jacket? Are you shooting it in .303? I am interested in 8mm to see if there is any problem running the gun.

I am glad you mentioned the canvas cover I was thinking about purchasing one from IMA but I think I will wait.

Thanks,
Tom Sprehe
Wisconsin
[e-mail]

[coryt]

I did a reblue on all the parts except the rear crosspiece. I've got to build a proper spanner to get the grips off. It's a .303, I've got a 7.62x54R conversion on the way. I'm looking for 8mm parts as well, but I've got a bunch of PKM belts so the 54R will probably be the mainstay. I clocked it at 480rpm with the small supply of Greek ball I had on hand.