Recoil bolt removal tool
- Thread starter Crowley
- Start date
Blackpowderresearcher
Well-known member
You need to make a spanner wrench.
Measure diameter of holes. Measure depth of hole. Use drill rod & then some round stock of at least the same diameter of the nut. End of round stock must be square (90 degrees). Drill holes for the two prongs and at end of shaft of and after that, drill a hole in the center btwn the two holes you just drilled. Finally drill another hole (your choice of size) for round-stock handle. Insert the two prongs. Flux & solder prongs in place. Voila! Spanner wrench.
Easier still, buy one and Brownell's has it. https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ches/mauser-98-cross-bolt-wrench-prod416.aspx
Measure diameter of holes. Measure depth of hole. Use drill rod & then some round stock of at least the same diameter of the nut. End of round stock must be square (90 degrees). Drill holes for the two prongs and at end of shaft of and after that, drill a hole in the center btwn the two holes you just drilled. Finally drill another hole (your choice of size) for round-stock handle. Insert the two prongs. Flux & solder prongs in place. Voila! Spanner wrench.
Easier still, buy one and Brownell's has it. https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ches/mauser-98-cross-bolt-wrench-prod416.aspx
Last edited:
GEM
Senior Member
Here is a simple spanner tool that I fabricated. The pins are nails of the proper diameter to fit the holes in the spanner nut. Holes were drilled into the flat stock about .001" smaller than the nails. The pins are tapped into the holes and are secured by an interference fit. The handle is bent so that it will clear the stock and not mar the wood. Also best to mask the wood with some tape. Recommend pressing the back of the tool with a thumb while turning so that the pins don't slip out and damage the spanner nut. Since the pins are not hardened they won't take a lot of torque. Best to prep by using penetrating oil, like Kroil, on the end of the lug stud. This worked well for me for the few times I have needed it.
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Muncher 1953
Senior Member
I don’t know if they ship to UK, but this one works well, & isn’t too dear, even w/shipping.
Mauser Recoil Lug Nut Spanner Wrench - Brass Stacker
Mauser Recoil Lug Nut Spanner Wrench model MK98SW by Brass Stacker
www.tgrenterprises.com
I use it in a 1/2” x 1/4” drive socket, short extension to T handle, about the size of a tap wrench altogether. Very important to maintain pressure on the tool, so as not to round out the holes in the nut.
Absolutely what Muncher said re tool pressure. Practice on your range rifle. Go slow and be careful or you’ll make idiot marks. Some are basically finger loose, some are seized up in there. Do not over-torque them when putting them back in or you’ll damage the stock. If you aren’t shooting it, no need for any more torque than to keep it in good. On my range K98ks I also add a dab of blue loctite (never on a collector). The Wheeler gunsmithing screwdriver kit has the bit for that. It works. They aren’t the “best!” gunsmith kit but they’re plenty good enough and what I’ve been using for over 25 years. Be careful using just anything as you’ll put idiot marks on your spanner. You can order the bit separately and it’s probably a couple bucks. It’s the only one I use.
www.wheelertools.com
89 Piece Professional Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set | Wheeler
89 Piece Professional Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set
www.wheelertools.com
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Amazon.com: Wheeler Engineering 89-Piece Deluxe Screwdriver Set with Durable Construction and Storage Case for Gunsmithing and Maintenance : Tools & Home Improvement
Buy Wheeler Engineering 89-Piece Deluxe Screwdriver Set with Durable Construction and Storage Case for Gunsmithing and Maintenance: Screwdrivers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Blackpowderresearcher
Well-known member
Heck, having looked at the image posted by Hambone an easier way to make one is to get a stubby screwdriver that is of the correct length, hollow grind both sides and then file the center out until you have two prongs. You may have to file the prongs just a tad too. Sorry but sometimes the brain can be slow. That comes with age.
The one posted by muncher can easily be made with stock using the technique in my first post. Getting hexangonal stock may be a bit tough. I'd use a milling machine too to get precise hole placement for milling out.
The one posted by muncher can easily be made with stock using the technique in my first post. Getting hexangonal stock may be a bit tough. I'd use a milling machine too to get precise hole placement for milling out.
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
Unfortunately the Brownell’s tool has been out of stock for some time. (years) I also guessed that the OP may not have machine tools at his disposal, or he’d already have made a tool, & so posted about the Brass Stacker tool, AFTER I’d seen it come back into inventory. I suspect from reading Brass Stacker’s specs that their Mosin tool is the same size, but have not confirmed this.
Blackpowderresearcher
Well-known member
We were encouraged in school to make our own tools. In real life you have to do it anyway and it's cheaper than calling Brownells or Midway all the time. Both GEM and I have discussed methods of fabrication. I think the easiest though is to modify a screwdriver. File away the center and afterwaard file the studs roundish.
If you want a primer, take the one week long Bench Metal class at Trinidad NRA Summer School. We were taught how to heat 'n beat tool steel to make screwdrivers, gouges, chisels and then to temper them. You can even ask to be shown how to make a "V" spring (we were all required to make one). Basic machine shop will teach you how to turn things on a lathe and the Advanced Class will introduce you to the milling machine.
If you want a primer, take the one week long Bench Metal class at Trinidad NRA Summer School. We were taught how to heat 'n beat tool steel to make screwdrivers, gouges, chisels and then to temper them. You can even ask to be shown how to make a "V" spring (we were all required to make one). Basic machine shop will teach you how to turn things on a lathe and the Advanced Class will introduce you to the milling machine.
Thanks to everyone for your replies and comments...
Looked at the options for buying a tool but..
Most are out of stock.. there's one at over £200, what a con... there's a couple in the US but they won't ship...
I don't have the means to make one at present, So the hunt/wait continues....
Looked at the options for buying a tool but..
Most are out of stock.. there's one at over £200, what a con... there's a couple in the US but they won't ship...
I don't have the means to make one at present, So the hunt/wait continues....
Blackpowderresearcher
Well-known member
Crowley - find a screwdriver from a pawnshop or garage sale. The blade should be wide enough to fit the nut. If you don't have a grinder, you a file and file both sides flat as if it were hollow ground. Then with a needle file, file the center down to create a gap for clearance of the nut. You'll have two fingers sticking up. File them round until they fit. It's time, not rocket science. Having a bench vise would help. We're rooting for you!
You can buy the entire Wheeler gunsmith screwdriver set with that recoil bolt bit for like $68 US. I think the Wheeler tool itself couldn’t be more than several USD. I would not personally use a “square peg” for a “round hole” as when you get a tough one your tool is going to want to jump out of the spanner and torque up the hole or leave idiot marks. The Wheeler bit is also adjustable with hammer and punch taps as to the depth of the posts. I’ve been at this awhile and been there, done that.
Blackpowderresearcher
Well-known member
Geez, if there's a big demand I should make a bunch.
Yes, as a last resort i'll have to.. just not so keen and would rather use the correct toll if I can get hold of one...
Yep... by the time it gets to me we're looking at $100.. the individual bit is about $3, but they won't post it to the UK...
There's a company in France, tecmagex.com, that has the part in stock. They'll send it to some really strange places and places like Iran, Afganistan etc... but they will not send it to the UK... I mean it can't be a EU thing.. Last time I checked Iran wasn't in the EU... They'll just say it's because of Brexit, same excuse as everyone else...