9 replies to this topic

[OldFalGuy]

Guys,

I wrote once ago about the pilot/spring tool. a week later I found it after mangeing to wind the devil without it with what?? I can not recall. Tonight while showing the weapon the bolt would not draw back ( the oiler seemed to be in the way in the end) I stripped the upper but could not see the fault and then recalled I had moved "the tool" to storage. I had been in contact with one member here who had handily used a paper clip instead. I gotta tell you all I failed miserably with teh paper clip and could not turn NADA with one, I was all mixed up. Finally I stuffed the spring and pined it with a pfinsihing nail and installed it inthe receiver.

What in the hell did I do wrong?? with the paper clip guys?? Do you hold the Pilot in a vise and then wind the spring, that didn't work at all

HELP

[hawksnest]

When using the "tool" I wind the spring to compress it. When using the "paperclip" I must manually compress the spring and insert the paperclip to hold the compressed spring in place.

[Lancer]

I use a bigger paper clip, about twice the size of a standard run of the mill paper clip. I straighten it out and then bend it in half so I have a double thickness for strength. This also allows me to create a loop in the end to insert finger for winding.
Nothing fancy, but it works for me.

[full auto 45]

I used a cleaning rod for a .45 pistol, they are cheap, about $2-$3 each. Then use a grinder and turn the end down to fit the hole and it works great. Made couple myself and they work perfect. Maybe I see a ebay special in the works.

[Murray]

I hold the view now that owing one of those "British"? main spring winding and insertion tool is as much fun as owning a 1928A1 Thompson.
I get as much buzz out of striping the 1928 using the tool and demonstrating it to groups of amazed bi-standers.
They all think that I am performing some kind of majic tricks.
Paper clip!
Get started Mike, you could make a killing.

[21 smoker]

I`ll take a couple,Mike....engraving extra?..

[OldFalGuy]

Well since I started this thread with my helplessness I think its only fair that if Mike makes the tools that I be the Official needy poster child.

Have at it.

[john]

I did the same thing as Mike back when you couldn't find "the tools"....a surplus parkerized .45 rod turned down in a lathe to match as close as my calibrated eyeball could figure from a picture!

A few dabs of Dichropan and "voila"! perfect tool for the job!

Bought an original at the SAR show from Doug Richardson last December but I don't use that one.

Mike used a grinder, which would be very easy with a sharp edge on the wheel.

If yopu guys can field strip a Thompson and have access to a grinder or lathe, give this a try!

john

[Merry Ploughboy]

Or you can just buy the repro from Sportmans Guide (AX5A-90312).

A little pricy at about $30 plu HIS.

MP

[OldFalGuy]

MP,

That is surely where I got mine-works real well so long as your main spring follows instructions and doesn't try and get a curl caught on the pilot and be stubborn.... like mine was.

Mark