After getting sidetracked with numerous auto & home repairs and the work thing I managed to complete my .308 titanium can.....
Finished OAL length: 10.250"
Diameter 1.750 OD.
Wall thickness is .070"
End cap is 24 TPI.
Finished weight: 872.4 Grams / 30.77 oz / 1.9 lbs.
Direct thread mount : 5/8-24
The tube is grade nine (9) from Tiger Metals. The tube started at 12" long and I checked it for internal straightness and run out and cut it down and faced it to its finished length. I originally was going to make both ends threaded but changed my mind and pressed and welded one end and threaded the muzzle cap. Baffles are traditional cone shaped baffles that stack on each other. Grade five (5) titanium for the baffles and end cap. My blast baffle is stainless steel as well as the blast chamber spacer. I turned a bronze plug to gauge the ID or the tube and pressed it thru until I had a nice fit. I made my baffles .002" smaller than this plug.
It has 6 titanium cones , one stainless steel blast baffle and rebated / counter-bored end cap of titanium.
The large gas lens ( CK ) works well for shielding once I cranked the argon flow rate up. My first weld was a darker color but once I had the gas flow right the rest were shiny. I used the plug gauge I made for a support and to rotate it welding the seam where the tube and mounting piece meet. I put my ground clamp there and back purged it with a hose of argon in the muzzle end.
I had Veritas do the laser engraving and they did an EXCELLENT job on the tube.
Now I am looking forward to hit the range and try it on my SIG 716 & 556R
The thinking phase.....
Cutting baffles~
Tube with gauge plug and steady rest marks~
Some obscene stainless steel for the blast baffle and spacer~
Pile of baffles~
Measuring the stack and doing some math~
Threading Mount~
Getting ready to press into main tube. 1/4" diameter hole in tube X 6 to plug weld thru. Insert to tube has a .002" press fit.
Pressed in and ready to weld~