StrangeRanger Posted April 3, 2022 Report Share Posted April 3, 2022 Does anyone have a set of Sten mag feed lip repair tools that they would be willing to lend or rent?I have some Lanchester mags that just aren't feeding reliably and my lip gauge shows the cartridge angle is off and at least one of them the lips are a bit out of spec. PM me if you can help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekraps Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 I would also be interested in feed lip repair tools. I did see where a forum member in the Thompson forum manufactured a lip repair tool. Maybe he could do likewise for Sten mags? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekraps Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 I just asked Tiz if he could make the tool. He does so for Thompsons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted April 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 The trick is latching onto an exemplar to copy. The Sten mag is not at all like the TSMG. Aside from being the dreaded double stack-single feed configuration it also presents the bullet at an angle rather than flat. The original Brit tool is a two piece afair. There's a mandrel that goes inside the magazine body and a form tool shaped like an inverted V that is hammered down onto the magazine and sets the tapered front to rear gap and the presentation angle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanksguy Posted April 26, 2022 Report Share Posted April 26, 2022 StrangeRanger,Do you happen to have any clear photos of these British magazine tools (?)......or a "link" to some drawings of these (?) ....or a pdf for these would really be helpful. TIA, RichardS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndArmored Posted April 26, 2022 Report Share Posted April 26, 2022 https://gunspot.com/listings/archived/3028/sten-magazine-repair-tools-top-and-bottom-set/ It's a start... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanksguy Posted April 27, 2022 Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 (edited) This is a photo of the British gauge used to check Sten Magazines: (Note: Photos that I was trying to post were from one of the articles that Frank-Iannamico published in SAR-Magazine some time ago. They show the British Gauges and the feed-lip adjusting-tools that were used. The photos are still there.....I just can not figure out how to post them or a link to then.......). Regards, RichardSUS Army, RET Edited April 27, 2022 by Blanksguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted April 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 Gauges are common, most of the surplus dealers and many Sten owners have them. The repair tools are rare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanksguy Posted April 27, 2022 Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 (edited) StrangeRanger,You are correct on availability of these. I know that BRP-Corp has some original "Sten-Magazine-Gauges" in stock in good-condition.I cannot locate anyone with original and/or reproduction "adjusting-tools).....(IE: The 2-pcs. set.). Regards, RichardSUS Army, RET Edited April 27, 2022 by Blanksguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Iannamico Posted May 10, 2022 Report Share Posted May 10, 2022 Article featuring images of the Sten magazine tools... https://smallarmsreview.com/sten-magazines-a-love-hate-relationship/ New link apparently the article moved If the link doesn't work just go to the Small Arms Review website and search Sten, its now free 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekraps Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Okay, we need some retired machinist Forum member to get to work and make us some feed lip repair/alignment tools for the Sten mag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted May 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 (edited) Okay, we need some retired machinist Forum member to get to work and make us some feed lip repair/alignment tools for the Sten mag! That was sort of my plan but we need to get a hold of a set first to get accurate dimensions Edit:For that matter a set of drawings would be quicker and more accurate than field measurements. Do any of our British or Canadian members happen to have or have access to a set? Edited May 11, 2022 by StrangeRanger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Maybe this can help somehowBarry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted May 11, 2022 Report Share Posted May 11, 2022 Lost pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted May 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Well I've locate the male mandrel that slides up inside the mag tube but the seller didn't have the female form tool. so I need the tool or a drawing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsub Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 (edited) The original mandrels won't fit Indian mags.I think it would be easy for a machinist to modify the design to work with these mags. Edited May 13, 2022 by jsub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phaet Posted May 28, 2022 Report Share Posted May 28, 2022 I have the upper concave piece. I can have my friend, who is a machinist, make a drawing showing the critical dimensions.Being new to this site with not alot of general knowledge,you hsve have to tell me how we get in contact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted May 29, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2022 PhaetCheck your private messages (the envelope icon at the upper right of this page 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanksguy Posted June 7, 2022 Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 Once this gets started.......will we have a POC to start a list of buyers wanting these (?). I would like to purchase a set of the tools when made. Regards, RichardSUS Army, RET Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted June 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 The drawing I made of the mandrel is being verified by a machinist/gunsmith.The drawing of the upper will be verified once we've made one and used it to adjust my magsOnce that is done I will offer the drawings for free to anyone on this site Before you decide you need a set you should read this thread, especially Peter Laidler's comments https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=76769&p=517416#post517416 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phaet Posted June 7, 2022 Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 I have a rough drawing of the upper part. I will be glad to send it to anyone who can tell me how to do so.From direct observations this piece has subtle complexity. For example the radii across the concavity are different, i.e. 5/16 and 17/64. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted June 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 (edited) Phaet, Please check the dimension I asked you about in the e-mail that I sent you before you send out copies of the sketchIf the dimension is in error someone could make a costly mistake by following the sketch Edited June 7, 2022 by StrangeRanger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
komodoj Posted September 14, 2022 Report Share Posted September 14, 2022 Any updates o these? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted September 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2022 The gunsmith has verified the dimensions on my drawing of the upper "hammer" which were slightly different from Phaet's sketch but has not gotten around to verifying the lower "mandrel" The hammer is actually the more critical part. All the mandrel does is keep the hammer centered and prevent you from moving the lips too far. By proceeding very carefully, I was able to fix 3 recalcitrant mags using just Phaet's hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
komodoj Posted September 14, 2022 Report Share Posted September 14, 2022 The gunsmith has verified the dimensions on my drawing of the upper "hammer" which were slightly different from Phaet's sketch but has not gotten around to verifying the lower "mandrel" The hammer is actually the more critical part. All the mandrel does is keep the hammer centered and prevent you from moving the lips too far. By proceeding very carefully, I was able to fix 3 recalcitrant mags using just Phaet's hammer Thats fantastic!!! If sets are ever sold or loaned. Please let me know. Thank you sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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