Hairline crack on spring cylinder

[ebenezer]

Dear friends,

I have an old Hunter model 35 (supposed to be made by Tommy company). It is a smooth-barrelled airgun which has been lying in the attic for the past couple of years. Now, I have plans to restore it and I have smoothened the inside walls of the spring cylinder, the piston and spring guide with sand paper. However, I noticed a thin crack about 5 inches below the forend of the cylinder. I'm posting pictures of the cylinder. The affected portion shows signs of welding. It had been done by a gunsmith before to seal the threaded area. After welding the area, the thread had disappeared and the surface had become even. Now a crack has emerged. Is it possible to fix it with Araldite or M-seal to arrest air leak. Is it worth repairing first of all? I need your suggestions.

Thanks in advance,
Ebenezer

The links to the pics:

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd32 ... G0091A.jpg
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd32 ... G0090A.jpg

[snIPer]

Hi Eb,
First thing is to pour in some water to check if it is leaking in other places also.

Im not sure that Araldite might stand up to the kind of pressure that is built up inside.
you will be better off getting it gas welded - i had a similar leak on my New lite and got it gas welded - now it is fine.

Take it to a local welding shop and get it done.
/S/

[thomast1]

defintely not something for the epoxy guys to hold, and they will not seep in to the crack..

Thomas

[ebenezer]

Thanks Sniper and Thomas, but since welding had already been done, will the cylinder not become weak?

Ebenezer

[snIPer]

Mine is still going strong so i guess its ok.
/S/

[Basu]

while manufacturing, the breech part is pressed and then brass welded with the cylinder.then on the lathe upper part is polished .you can jolly well brass weld it heavily as once the crack has arrived it needed to be strengthened more.

Basu

Note : Very sadly the maker of the HUNTER brand, Mr Nipen Das is no more. he died at very early age.

[ebenezer]

Hi Sniper and Basu,

Thanks a lot for the info.

Regards,
Ebenezer