I am enjoying this thread on claw mounts as I have been working on adding some rings to a drilling with claw bases for awhile now. I purchased a front ring base and plate and rear blank base from NECG. I removed the original front plate (it was dove tailed into the plate) and installed the new plate and base. I wanted to use the original front plate but after talking to NECG installing a new plate and mount seemed like the reasonable way to go. My next task was to file out the new blank rear mount base to the original rear plate. I used small files and smoke and tried to be patient and take my time. I have it pretty well fitted now and I am almost to the point of fitting the slider to a notch in the rear claw. My rear plate is a little different as there is only one slot. Basically I have three legs or claws instead of four which may make this process easier? So, now that I am about to create the notch for the slider this discussion came about (good timing) and I have read it and reread it several times and I want to make sure I understand Mike's comments as I'd like to get this done right. But I am not sure I completely understand what Mike is saying. So, I have some questions and possibly some photos if I can get the photos to post.
1. my rear plate has screws to hold the plate on but some drillings have a rear plate with no screws. Were the rear plates with no screws soldered onto the barrels? Did they normally use a soft (low temp) solder to do this? Can the soldered on plate be removed without damaging the solder on the ribs? If so how would this be done?
2. If I am understanding Mike correctly in his earlier post would the process for installing the new rear claw(s) be to first fit the new claws to the slot(s) in the original base using smoke and files. Then use the slider to mark where the notch or groove would be made in the rear claws? Make this notch very slightly proud or higher than the mark from the slider? Then file the bottom of the slider until it fits into the notch in the claws? I was just a little confused on this last step and wanted to make sure I understood the process. It seems like you have to use the slider to know or mark where to file the groove in the claw. Once the bottom of the groove is completed and left just slightly higher or proud of the slider do you then file the bottom of the slider to fit the groove?
Again, I appreciate the helpful information on this topic and it is great timing for me.
Thanks, Ron
