Tech Tip: How to Bed a Rifle With Acraglas Gel

[@lon242]

Great vid. Said it before and will say it again, these old school gunsmithing vids are at the top of the list on what I'd like to see from y'all as far as tech tips go. Keep up the good work.

[@Nonedw]

Good video. It’s easier to take Q-tips and clean up rather than to let the bedding compound partially solidify. Also painters tape is better because it won’t leave any adhesive on the stock. You also don’t need to bed the entire Barrel channel of the stock if you’re gonna float the barrel. And I’m not for sure why you didn’t bed under the front action screw just behind the recoil lug area.

[@cornbinder1569]

Always wanted to know how to do this. Thank you for showing this. I know this kid is kind of dry but he does a great job of detailing the process.

[@thearsdfa]

Acraglass is also Caleb’s pomade of choice.

[@Simon-talks]

I thought he used Hoppes

[@Golfercop]

I'm a Dapper Dan man myself.

[@thearsdfa]

@@Golfercop I don't carry dapper dan. I carry Fop.

[@H.R.6688]

Alright, this is what I really like, good classic type stuff. AR stuff is ok, but I like the classics better.

[@A-a-ron480]

I've always wanted to see that done.Thank you for taking the time to do it.I wish I could have seen before and after the results of the gun shooting.

[@g54b95]

Caleb, this was excellent. As one of the last of a dying breed who actually works with their hands to make a living, I do have a suggestion. The single edge razor blade sucks for what you were using it for. Get an Olfa knife. It has little snap-off blades. It is NOT a boxcutter. An Olfa knife is a precision instrument, designed for finesse work. I am a window tinter, and I would put my knife skills up against any surgeon and win. After over 30 years, the knife becomes an extension of your hand and your brain.

[@ArkansasBadBoy]

I use the utility version with the rubber grip more than any, but having a couple of different styles is handy.

[@woofbark4475]

I know what would happen if I used a razor blade...imagine that I would manage to cut into the stock 😮

[@Gunpaw1958]

I'll probably never do this but it was a very informative and interesting video. Thanks!

[@Bayan1905]

Acraglas is great, I repaired a duffel cut stock on a K98 Mauser that I picked up a couple of years back and it's as rock solid as you could ask for.

[@stevezielinski9257]

Idk about everyone else but I like these videos more when he’s joking around and not so serious!!🧐

[@timdimon8214]

This is what I have been needing to watch. I told my dad the other day on the phone that this is the only thing that he has not taught me how to do. He glass bedded my M77 for me but didn’t show me how to do it.

[@danielsmith8659]

Did it improve. Being barrels aren’t floated on m77s, and they have such a high poundage on the torque .

[@davidowens989]

I worked up a load for my Dad's 110. 42 grains of H4895 with Nosler 70 grain Ballistic Tips was a real coyote buster. That rifle was a half inch gun all day.

[@darrelldutsch]

That's is a lost art. Thank you brother!!

[@greasydot]

Excellent video Caleb. Wonderful to see a young man working with his hand keeping a dying breed alive. I used to use the acra glass then switched to Micro bed for years until I could no longer get it. Bought some new toys and might have to try the gel.

[@stevewehner9540]

Thanks Caleb great video very detaied. I've been looking for one as a refresher for a while now.

[@carlgarrett-zv7xn]

Caleb I really appreciate your tips thank you for being thorough with your instructions

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great video. I used to have my rifles for varmint hunting bedded like this. That accuglass epoxy is the best. That stuff is stronger than steel I swear it is! 🙂

[@kassilewis5511]

I use extra long action bolts to center the action screws to the pillars and level the action square to the bottom/trigger guard. If you use the original action screws dont tighten them if the action is touching anything in the inletting other than the pillars. A high spot in the wrong place will cause stress in your bedding job. Also tape the bottom, front and sides of the lug. Only rear contact (unless it is an integral lug, then none on the sides)

[@NHGUIDE88]

PERFECTLY done! great explanation

[@badgerm3837]

I can remember doing this over 50 years ago when I was a teenager to a 10/22 that was very inaccurate. All I had to use was fibreglass resin, silly putty and vaseline for release agent. It worked well, but It's nice to actually see how it should be done. I still have the rifle, but It's been rebarreled and put in a new chassis.

[@charlesshoemaker3622]

Great job, I have an old 110 just like it only in 30/06. I will have to do this to mine and see what I can get out of it.

[@ethan5.56]

I’ve thought about bedding my Chinese SKS but never capitalized. Great video

[@disturbedmaynard3873]

Though I understand your reasoning for the brown tint to the Acraglas, the video I watched just prior to this one made a statement about why you don't use brown tint in your Acraglas when making a repair, as it looks like someone used peanut butter or some other substance. Been meaning to bed a rifle or 2 here, just haven't gotten to it yet.

[@lourensswart8445]

What is stopping the epoxy from going into the action screw holes. When you are pushing the action screws from underneath arent you pushing the epoxy in front of the screw into the hole and then tightening it all up?

[@scotthaddad563]

I love that Midway puts these videos out there for those of us who just have to do it ourselves. Not that I can’t figure it out on my own but having these videos to give a helping hand when needed is sure great insurance against wasting materials or screwing up totally. By the way: The music is so repetitive and it sets the pace of something much faster than these relaxing videos. I could see that music being played in a video of downhill racing on skis ⛷️. It is kind of nerve racking music to my old relaxed ears.

[@robertgallagher374]

The part about waiting four hours to pull the barrel and action out to trim the excess acraglass needs to be caveated with what type of environment you are allowing the curing process to take place. If you are in a warm, dry climate and wait four hours, just get out the dremmel tool and start grinding! Great video.

[@Australian_Hunting_Backcountry]

Would like to have seen the whole process, especially the removal of the clay and clean up if the action.

[@MrMagoo321]

I encountered one that had a peened spot on the action and a little wood Chip that was folded over onto the mounting surface too. Removed both and the front action screw was too long also so I shortened it slightly. Gun shoots sub moa now

[@itsapittie]

Mark Novak would chastise you for using brown dye in the Acraglas. 😄

[@sheldoniusRex]

Does he only use black?

[@itsapittie]

@@sheldoniusRex yes. He says black looks more correct than brown.

[@uselogicplease2380]

I want a set of those vice jaw pads. Can't see them on Brownells sight any more!

[@jamesmeals1430]

Wonderful video. Do you guys have a video on how to add pillars as well? I have been needing to pillar bed one of my rifles for a while now.

[@JJGuccione]

Installing the action screws, I was so hoping he’d get a big glob of Acraglas on his pompadour. Great VDO Caleb • Thank You

[@JJGuccione]

They sell plastic razor blades for stovetop use.

[@bobg1685]

Ha! I could smell the release agent as soon as he started spraying it! That's how close he had my attention. Lol, right?

[@joemolf3894]

Nice job thanks for sharing it! 😊

[@albundy7459]

I did mine for the first time. I put in what I thought was an excessive amount, but somehow still wasn’t enough. Still shoots great though.

[@tommcqueen3145]

👍🤔 I thought you were going to free float the barrel in front of the camber. Good show

[@jasonrad9332]

That’s what the tape was for on the barrel. He now has the thickness of the tape free floated.

[@CalebSavant]

It's floated, the thickness of the tape.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

​@@CalebSavantWhat possible benefit is there too acraglass bedding the chamber area? Wouldn't it be better to float the chamber area?

[@CalebSavant]

@@anthonyrstrawbridge Supporting the chamber helps add rigidity to the forend of the stock without effecting accuracy and barrel harmonics.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

@@CalebSavant OH! I understand now thanx. Been away from wood so long I couldn't recall why.

[@jimmywilliamson8540]

I enjoy this kind of work but finding time is definitely difficult. I love a good old-fashioned Woodstock rifle so I'll do this one day but in the meantime this is most likely the best way to sell me a good synthetic stock

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

i am pretty sure my synthetic stock needs to be bedded. i wish it was a wood stock tbh....

[@BertShackleford]

First you buy flowers. Followed by wine and dine. Post dinner drinks. Then wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. I'm going in for another... _That's_ how you "bed" a rifle! [wink] Stay classy my friends.

[@joshmajor8662]

Maybe it’s just me but I prefer to fill the pin holes with wooden dowels as I apply the bedding, then remove once the barrels inserted. Allows for a much cleaner, more precise alignment without all the mess. Hopefully that makes sense Lol 😂

[@philippejoyal8065]

As an ocd weapon tech from way up north: bullet proof beding sir!

[@Dscple13]

Thanks for this video. Is there any concern of epoxy getting into the action screw holes in the stock and the threaded holes in the receiver?

[@charlesbulick4888]

I was really impressed at how nice that turned out but I was more impressed with that dudes hair Perfect! Lol 😂

[@zed639]

On proportions, why not use a scale with a cover of wax paper? Match weights then scrape off into the mixing bowl. This would allow for consistent measures of the epoxies.

[@tommyj7087]

Can you wipe off some of the excess when still wet?

[@davidsallee8584]

Nice video

[@jaywatson5870]

Caleb, not that it's necessary, but would a pointed surgical scalpel make trimming the acraglas out of the mag well easier than using a razor blade, given the tight quarters?

[@CalebSavant]

Yup, it would! An exacto works well too

[@catdeddy8427]

Yep. In addition, I manage to cut myself with razor blades, so X-acto is my choice. Next project is to demonstrate pillar bedding.

[@farmerwayne1404]

Very nice! Q: why would you not torque the action screws to factory spec? Ty

[@trickedouttech321]

How much glass did you get in the action thread and probably pushed up into the barrel threads?

[@marzcapone9939]

Seemed that you had release agent spraying on the stock. Maybe it was just the camera angle, but you wouldn't want release agent inside the stock.

[@cryalowicki]

Came here to see if anyone else noticed it looked like he was dousing his whole workbench and stock in release agent.

[@lbb05rgv]

It was an excessive amount of release agent. Just way too much. Should have wiped it all down afterwards to only create a very thin film. He may have added thickness to the overall dimensions of the barreled action.

[@joerabena20]

Would a gram scale help mix equal parts of resin and hardener?

[@gregshaw4852]

Noticed you decided not to pillar bed in conjunction with the action bedding. Any particular reason?

[@michaelwilson9986]

BTW IS there a shelf life with the bedding kit?

[@luk1454]

Why do you apply it inside the barrel channel?

[@cav4353]

It helps keep a wood stock from warping, and contacting the barrel.

[@jhendri50BMG]

Great video. I've bedded many rifles and learned something. Surgical tubing is ingenious. I've always used rubber bands. Really the only thing I do different, is instead of using a commercial release agent, I use Kiwi shoe polish. What was the tool you used to get the glass bedding out of the magazine well? It looked really useful.

[@DonWRII]

I thought it was a chisel by the handle when he grabbed it, but the way he was using it made me think it was some kind of hook or prybar? I've seen body/trim tools in auto sections of hardware stores that are plastic or fiberglass reinforced plastic that might be useful for this, non-marring for the surfaces, but that acraglas looked very pliable to remove, especially after he scored it to get a clean line first.

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

i never used surgical bands, know what i used? i used the bands from sling shots. i think theyre virtually the same thing tbh

[@tubeonline629]

I've seen slow motion videos of how much a barrel flexes when fired, so I wonder if the thickness of that tape is enough to keep it from touching?

[@CalebSavant]

It is, you can test if for yourself with a bit of layout dye and shooting the firearm.

[@kassilewis5511]

Depends on the stock and barrel rigidity. Some "slap" some dont.

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

@@kassilewis5511 my 243 slaps a donkey twice.... needs a bed job like my neighbor

[@Michael_X313]

I have access to a local Ace hardware and was wanting to use some jb weld to bed my savage 64. Can anyone tell me if they would sell a release agent for it as well?

[@suekotchevar2765]

Did this 55 yrs ago on a 1917 Enfield tried to sporterise it paid 40bucks for the rifle bought a Herters reject stock sanded my arse off tried glass bedding stock with Herters glass bed kit put release agent on it spread on bedding tried to remove following day couldnt get apart broke stock in half junk making 1.60 hr part time

[@alvinmorris5404]

Caleb don't you get tired of Popsicles?😂 that's quite a stack of sticks laying on the bench

[@66rmw]

Do you guys sell the vice jaw pads you are using in the versa Vice ?

[@richardalan3204]

Do you wear that apron when you are cooking dinner?

[@jpkoepse]

Did you cut the rest of the glass in front of the chamber so the barrel free floats? Think that part got cut off

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

pull the tape off the gun barrel. the tape was the gap width, approximately the "dollar bill" waay of old. his method is good, ill verify he followed the right procedures.

[@anan0moose]

Can you use Acraglas to glass bed a synthetic stock?

[@mr27s]

The forbidden peanut butter.

[@michaelwilson9986]

What Synthic stock bedding ? Same Acrglass or something else?

[@martymcfly6098]

Does Acraglas give off any odor? Ok to do this inside versus the garage?

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

it has an odor, yea it can be done inside if you wanted just make it a clean protected area...... ive done it in my garage, basement and even at the kitchen table before..... a wooden table id kill for..... so...... just be careful and like he said, prep work makes the job.

[@joehughes6337]

Why do you add bedding compound all the way to the front of the fore stock when you want it free floating?

[@brownells]

To add rigidity to the stock, so it will be less likely to flex when rested on something.

[@marzcapone9939]

He put tape on the barrel, so it doesn't touch, obviously with the tape removed.

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

Brownell's has a monopoly on the sale of good quality gunsmithing products ✅

[@GGNoble47]

Tape on the front of the recoil lug.

[@JBJHonez]

I despise them for not replying to comments except for the “attaboy” comments getting a ❤. But to me, it seems like they got the acraglass stuff into the screw holes. Not sure how them screwing it in there would have pushed it out being so thick

[@LaserUbermensch]

Mark Novak is yelling about dyeing Acraglas black.

[@reloadrefine]

Just curious, is that what you use for hair gel?🤭😂🤣🤪😁

[@ahernandez1080]

Any videos on how to bed on the first date ? Asking for a friend

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

if your a female i can teach you first hand.... if your not, no sorry i cant.

[@Crangaso]

Reminds me of mixing dope or epoxy

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

its a form of epoxy.

[@shermrock345]

Dont use a loose razer Yes it's tempting but no. Us a something with a handle. I like my exazato scalpels i have.

[@AmmoGuy83]

Now I want to buy a project gun just so I can bed it...

[@Maine307]

that is not an easy task.. that attention to detail would drive me nuts.. i wish i had the patience ..

[@mrshort2379]

Great How To content, very educational bedding content : Boring as all F' but educational none the less. I had never seen it done before. so now if I need to bed a bolt action. I know where to turn for proper instructions. just make sure to have an energy drink on hand.. lol

[@linkbond08]

And here I am trying to bed a rifle with rizz, alcohol, and r00fies.

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

im rizz. no bedding needed im there already with my lady. no booze or rooze lol

[@RobinP556]

Old school.

[@shoota314]

Very old school…

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

@@shoota314 we need to bring this back to normal. my great uncle died, i literally was discussing glas bedding tonight.... think im getting back into the family trade.

[@pyeitme508]

RAD!

[@capteod]

I think this video was informative but there are a few simple things that I believe are important. First, you are showing that you use the same measuring spoon for both part of the ACROGLASS. This will result in cross-contamination and will start the polymerization of the resin. As little as 0.005 grains will start the process of hardening the resin. I know this from experience. Use 2 spoons and keep them separate. I use plastic spoons as they should be discarded after use. Second, when you have applied the ACCROGLASS leave the stirring stick in the remaining mixture. Then you can know the degree of hardening. Third, you should use headless stock makers screws instead of the factory stock screws. This allows you to align the stock and action without twisting the action to align the mounting holes Forthly, I would mention that household VINAGER will remove ACCROGLASS from your skin if you need it. I like that you showed using gloves, but most men find gloves a nuisance. I compliment your presentation it was excellent. I would suggest using more close-up shots to help the novice gunsmith understand the intricacies.

[@tompanek7511]

Beautiful Now go punch some paper so we can see the results!

[@randyfrantz7195]

Why bother putting the bedding under the barrel that is going to free float? I mean, other than OCD.!!!!

[@CalebSavant]

There is a very good reason for that, it's to make the stock more rigid so that it does not flex and contact the barrel when the rifle is shot of a rest or swollen from moisture.

[@kassilewis5511]

​@@CalebSavantIf the floated portion of the forend can swell from humidity changes, cant the portion of the forend that is bedded for contact at the front, sides and bottom of the lug, barrel nut and chamber do the same? Clearance is a good thing sometimes.

[@CalebSavant]

@@kassilewis5511 Yes, but the bedding does not, it's all connected and will not move because of that.

[@kassilewis5511]

Okey dokey...one more, any chance you know the shrink rate percentage of Acraglass?

[@brownells]

1/10th of 1%

[@CoryIsMyName]

Come on, Caleb. You could at least buy it dinner first.

[@Barnzeys]

This has to be the worst bedding job I’ve ever seen.

[@StuninRub]

How NOT to do a glass bedding job.

[@AP-ow5vu]

Why's that?

[@StuninRub]

@AP-ow5vu When done right the bedding should hold onto the action we'll enough that should feel like a solid connection even without the action screws. The method shown here will not produce tight enough tolerances.

[@AP-ow5vu]

@@StuninRub What would you do different? Curious as I'm bedding my rifle today.

[@aleksandarrac7106]

Neverovatno foliranje sa starim alatima. 👎

[@frenchredneck9572]

Where is the free floated barrel!? A Free floated barrel is more than a paper thickness! At least for me... But, let the grouping speak for itself! Now speak!

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

dollar bill thickness. thats the old school way. no more no less. thats how the classics were done by pros.

[@peterreily1490]

Now when Elmer Fudd comes to your house because “mommas wittle baby wuvs wabbit stew” you know how to tell him how gas guns work.

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

sorry brahs. float that pig. bedding went out 20 yrs ago.

[@brownells]

You float it with bedding though....

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Crooks