Sterling Folding Stock Assembly Instructions
As I build my own folding stock, I am going to document the process to provide instructions for completing your own. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out!
Watch the video of the finished product on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StormtrooperBlaster/videos/1161879347210075/
Watch the video of the finished product on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StormtrooperBlaster/videos/1161879347210075/
Materials Required
The following items are required to finish the folding stock:
sandpaper: 220 and 1000 grit
bits: 3/16, 3/8 and 13/16
super glue (strongly recommend Loctite Plastic Super Glue)
razor
Prepping the Main Body
With all my parts I am very conscientious on where the seam line is on the final part. With this part, the best place for the seam line was on the top of the piece. Because the top of this piece is flat, the seam line can be easily removed. Remember, every one of the pieces of this Folding Stock is Solid black plastic, so, sanding it with 220 grit paper and buffing it out with 1000 grit or higher actually shines it up nicely.
With this step, you will need sandpaper: 220 and 1000 Grit. Both can be obtained via an Auto Parts Store.
With this step, you will need sandpaper: 220 and 1000 Grit. Both can be obtained via an Auto Parts Store.
To complete this part, lightly sand both sides of the rail with the 220 grit and then "Wet Sand" with the 1000 Grit under cold water. The results are amazing! See below for the pictures of the sanding process and the final product. The Piece is solid black plastic, so, it buffs out really nice with the 1000 grit wet sanding.
Prepping the Pole
One thing I realized right away is that my parts were really "exact reproductions". This is great, but caused a little bit of work. Reason is that the parts fit very snug...which is great if they were made of Metal and I could lube them. Because they are made of plastic, I need to sand down, just slightly, some parts so that they moved freely. First part to sand down is the pin that gets inserted into the pole. You want this sanded down enough so that the pin, when inserted into the pole "falls out easily" when you turn the pole upside down. I also took a 3/8ths bit and worked it in the pole opening it (slightly) to reduce the friction.
Once this is done, insert the clip pin, which secures the pin in the pole and also holds the front of the Stock to the barrel. Make sure this all moves freely. If not, sand it down more until it move freely. Below is what these pieces look like fully assembled:
Next piece that needs work is the small piece that pushes the pin in when the Stock is opened. This piece needs to be slightly sanded on one side and on the top. You want this small piece to fit loosely on the pole.
Again, as with the other pieces, make sure you sand it down so that it freely moves on the pole.
Next, widen the hole slightly. I used a razor for this step. You want the aluminum tube to move freely in this hole.
Now it's time to assembly a large portion of the stock. You have to line up all the holes and with a correctly cut to size aluminum tube, push the tube through the holes. The only holes you do not want to enlarge are the ones on the long stock piece. These tight holes will help hold the aluminum tube to the stock. With All the other holes, on the pole, pin, etc,, the tube should easy slide through the hole and move freely.
Sand the seams off the Stock Grip and the inner piece with the 220 grit, then 1000 grit sandpaper. Then, assemble the Grip to the Pole by lining up the holes and pushing the aluminum tube through. Remember, the tube should easily move through the holes, except for the holes on the large stock piece. (See the 9/18 Modification below before continuing with this step)
Now, install the back end of the pole to the large Stock piece. Make sure that the aluminum tube moves freely in the hole on the back end of the pole. If it doesn't, slightly drill it out until it does.
Final Step! Attach the piece that holds together the back end of the folding stock. Drill out the holes, attach the large stock piece and insert and glue in the 2 pins.
last step is to slightly expand the aluminum tube ends to ensure they stay in place. I used a "nail setter" and lightly tapped it in to the tube to expand the tube to lock it into place.
That's it...you are done!
9/18/2016 Modification
Playing with the Folding Stock all day yesterday to ensure all was good. Noticed one thing, which I fixed this morning. Video has all the details. The original Sterling Stock had a spring in the Pole. The purpose of the Spring is to apply pressure on the pin in the pole which causes the grip on the stock to remain locked in the folded position. I place a spring in the same spot. Didn't think I would need it....I did! Now it is 100% Accurate! Think it is completely done now. Let me know what you think!
https://www.facebook.com/StormtrooperBlaster/videos/1162736370457706/
https://www.facebook.com/StormtrooperBlaster/videos/1162736370457706/
Steps to Complete
1. Use a 3/8ths bit to make the hole in the pole 2 1/4 inches deep. Insert athe included spring.
2. Place the pin back in the pole and insert the small pin onto the pole into the long pin through the hole in the pole.
3. Pull the small pin back and hold it. Reassemble the stock Grip handle.
2. Place the pin back in the pole and insert the small pin onto the pole into the long pin through the hole in the pole.
3. Pull the small pin back and hold it. Reassemble the stock Grip handle.
