Well I was fixed up with this chunk of cherry and a .56 cal. smooth bore barrel so I figured it was time to try may hand a a scratch build. After locating a gouge and with the guidance of a couple of friends I have started the process of my first scratch build. I pain on using hand tools only. It may take quite some time so the posts may be slow in coming, but I'll keep it updated as I can. pnic
What are you planning to use for a lock?
I would hold off cutting out the stock blank till you've settled on that detail. You need the lock to position alongside the barrel and from there to position the trigger, and if there's going to be a conflict between the lock and trigger positions and the profile of the stock it's best to realize it before you've done the cutting or anything else that can't be undone.
So far, so good, though, so far as I can see.
Quote from: mongrel on February 01, 2013
What are you planning to use for a lock?
I would hold off cutting out the stock blank till you've settled on that detail. You need the lock to position alongside the barrel and from there to position the trigger, and if there's going to be a conflict between the lock and trigger positions and the profile of the stock it's best to realize it before you've done the cutting or anything else that can't be undone.
So far, so good, though, so far as I can see.
Thanks Mike, I have a Chamber's Queen Ann Lock and I can use all the coaching I can get. I was planning on moving slow and asking a lot of questions. I'm very lucky in that I have some very talented builders near by and with your and their help, I am going to get this done. thmbsup
Thats pretty cool Fred!
I respect anyone who scratch builds. Will this be a small, big gun or a BIG, small gun?
Mongrel's right, don't cut bottom curve until lock is in & rod hole is drilled. Then thin bottom as needed. I usually make a full scale pattern on cardboard 1st. I copy full size parts from TOW's catalog & place them in relation to bbl. & vent hole.....good luck....Tom
Thats cool Fred! Keep us updated.
Quote from: Hanshi on February 05, 2013
I respect anyone who scratch builds. Will this be a small, big gun or a BIG, small gun?
Thanks for all your input guys. I plan on tip toeing slowly through this project and Hanshi,..... I just hope it turns out to be "a working gun" ROFL
Green with envy watching you guys build guns, just devotion, guts, and wana say" I did it. " Couldn't ask for any more willing hands and advice from the experts!
I got back at it today and got quite a bit accomplished on the pistol...at least for me. Got the barrel and tang inlet, ramrod channel cut and drilled and ready to start working on inletting the lock next trip to my coach. In addition I picked up several great tips of the trade. ...sure hope I can remember them by tomorrow! hdslp
What I sort of maybe envy is you having someone close by to assist and advise as you attempt this. I learned by doing, no one to guide me. On one hand it probably would have been easier and quicker, learning with a teacher, but then on the other hand I've definitely come into my own way of doing things and have no problem with it being different in many ways from what others do. I think, though, that for what you're wanting to do, having a mentor is the way to go.
That breechplug tang inlet looks good. I can't tell in the picture -- did you leave a hair-fine gap between the end of the tang and the wood behind it? There is a tendency to want a perfectly snug fit, but even when the breech of the barrel is snugged perfectly against the stock wood, wood compresses under shock and what can happen, during recoil, is that the tang slams back a minute fraction of an inch and if it's butted flush to the wood behind it -- something's gonna give and it won't be the steel. I had bad chip-outs of wrist wood on a couple of stocks till I picked up on that little trick. Lest anyone think that a tiny (less than 1/16") gap is sloppy workmanship, where I picked up on this was in a book dealing with English gunmaking, specifically the building of high-end big-bore Mauser-actioned hunting rifles -- and I reckon if outfits like Purdey and H&H find the gap good then I also will call it good. Especially since now I don't get chip-outs when the barrel and tang "seat" themselves during recoil.
Here is a shot of the area I think you are talking about.(still may need a little wood removed??) I have my friend double check my progress before moving on to the next step. He then tells me what I should do for the next step, then shows me what tools he uses, how to use it, the turns it over to me to do it. He checks my work and points out anything he sees I need to complete the process.
I like it so far. Looking really good. What' style of pistol are you shooting for?
Quote from: woody on February 07, 2013
Here is a shot of the area I think you are talking about.(still may need a little wood removed??) I have my friend double check my progress before moving on to the next step. He then tells me what I should do for the next step, then shows me what tools he uses, how to use it, the turns it over to me to do it. He checks my work and points out anything he sees I need to complete the process.
Yep. Teeny gap. Perfect.
You know that after this you will decide you just have to do a rifle.... Building is as addictive as owning and shooting these things. Plus there's the idea (even when it's not completely 100% true) that anything you want, you can just build. The problem isn't being ABLE to do it, it's finding time.
Quote from: Razor62 on February 07, 2013
I like it so far. Looking really good. What' style of pistol are you shooting for?
I'm not really sure what it's called, but I'll try to get a photo of the pistol that inspired this build the next trip to my friends place. hi:
Quote from: mongrel on February 07, 2013
Quote from: woody on February 07, 2013
Here is a shot of the area I think you are talking about.(still may need a little wood removed??) I have my friend double check my progress before moving on to the next step. He then tells me what I should do for the next step, then shows me what tools he uses, how to use it, the turns it over to me to do it. He checks my work and points out anything he sees I need to complete the process.
Yep. Teeny gap. Perfect.
You know that after this you will decide you just have to do a rifle.... Building is as addictive as owning and shooting these things. Plus there's the idea (even when it's not completely 100% true) that anything you want, you can just build. The problem isn't being ABLE to do it, it's finding time.
I was afraid of that! ROFL
Is that a bbl. from MLS? I've been wanting one of those smoothbore big pistols myself. So far so good woody, looks like a neat project....Tom
Quote from: gunmaker on February 08, 2013
Is that a bbl. from MLS? I've been wanting one of those smoothbore big pistols myself. So far so good woody, looks like a neat project....Tom
Thanks Tom. The barrel was custom made by Ken Netting.
Quote from: Razor62 on February 07, 2013
I like it so far. Looking really good. What' style of pistol are you shooting for?
I spent the day with Ken. Here are a couple of photos of the
Late 18th century American Style pistol Ken built that inspired my build. I'll post todays pogress in the next post below.
As I posted above, I spent the day back with Ken. I got the lock inletting completed. a grip cap made and a good deal of the excess wood cut away. I will be startling to start some stock shaping next....as soon as I find my glasses!....can't believe I lost them between Ken's place and home!! hdslp
looking good. thmbsup
thmbsup Looking good Woody.Thanks for the pics as you progress,it is very informative.
Wow Woody! You're makin' some real progress. Nice choice on the style pistol that you're going for. Looks like you decided to go with a lock kit rather than a completed lock. Is that a home made grip cap as well? I admire your ambition. The builders on this site never cease to amaze with their McGiever like ingenuity. ;D Very nice work!!!!
Quote from: Razor62 on February 12, 2013
Wow Woody! You're makin' some real progress. Nice choice on the style pistol that you're going for. Looks like you decided to go with a lock kit rather than a completed lock. Is that a home made grip cap as well? I admire your ambition. The builders on this site never cease to amaze with their McGiever like ingenuity. ;D Very nice work!!!!
The lock is a Chambers Queen Ann. We (Ken) took it apart for inletting. Ken made the grip cap from sheet brass (can't remember the gauge) while I watched the process.
He has actually made all of the bandsaw cuts, the lay outs, showed me how to make the cuts, then handed me the tool and check my work until it was complete. Now he says the stock shaping is all up to me. .....this could get ugly real quick! (susp)
I was able to start shaping the stock today. Between the cold weather, losing my glasses, my Father-in-law in out of the hospital and finding the courage to take rasp in hand, I made a start at removing some wood. When I get back to Ken's I will be trying to install the trigger plate and getting the barrel pinned in.
wtch
Looking great Woody, this is going to look really nice when thur. chrrs
Looking good buddy! When your done with that one...I'll let ya make one for me!... chrrs
WOW! Very good! You're coming alone quite nicely!
Ken does some great work. Shoenbrunn Trade Fair does a raffle every year and the grand prize is usualy one of Ken fine fowlers.
Todays progress on my pistol build was really interesting., Ken showed and had me hammer and build/install my trigger plate and trigger from stock.
Started making the ramrod pipes and made and soldered the barrel lug today.
Today's progress. Inlet and pinned the ramrod pipes, pinned the barrel, drilled, tapped and installed the lock plate, rolled the tip and installed the trigger. I'll start making the trigger guard next trip.
Looking good Woody!! I really like that entry thimble. The rate your going you will have this one finished and started on something else this time next month.
Nice work Woody. She's gettin' her personality.
Quote from: olflint on March 14, 2013
Looking good Woody!! I really like that entry thimble. The rate your going you will have this one finished and started on something else this time next month.
Well....I've got to admit.....I'm already tinkering with another project. hdslp
Looking good!
Got my trigger guard made and inlaid this afternoon. I'll be getting up enough nerve to stat the serious stock shaping next. pnic
"tinkering" is a verb that requires photograph's for us old coots to understand------ ....Tom
Quote from: gunmaker on March 20, 2013
"tinkering" is a verb that requires photograph's for us old coots to understand------ ....Tom
I'm building a semi custom GRP rifle. I made a deal with Mongrel for the parts from a GPR kit rebuild project, a used Investment Arms flintlock and a Numrich Arms 45 cal bbl. I've inlet the lock into the former percussion stock fitted the barrel ramrod under lug so far. I also took the section of cut off barrel and had it turned to a 1/2 round barrel and breached for a future pistol build.
Looks like another poor soul has been bitten. ;D
Woody, your pistol is coming along very nicely. Can't wait to see that stock take shape.
Very nice work all the way around.
I don't know about the other builders here, but I feel sometimes like a contagious disease.... People hang out around us for any length of time and the next thing you know, there's sawdust and wood chips flying.
Ain't it great?
Quote from: mongrel on March 20, 2013
Very nice work all the way around.
I don't know about the other builders here, but I feel sometimes like a contagious disease.... People hang out around us for any length of time and the next thing you know, there's sawdust and wood chips flying.
Ain't it great?
Looks like another poor soul has been bitten. ;D
I figured with all the great guns and builds you guys keep posting, and me wanting everything I see....might as well try my hand at building a few...and yes....it is addictive! ROFL.....BTW...I forgot to mention that I also have another pistol barrel (32 cal.) and a octagon to round rifle barrel to add to the future project list...thanks guys hdslp
Started the rough shaping. I'll be moving much slower from this this point...... cuch
I have to say it's great work. I remain, yours truly, envious. :mini-devil-28492:
LOOKING GREAT! Keep up the progress reports.... dntn
Har ! woody's not bit---he's infected. No hope for him on this planet. Keep it up & more pic's the better. ....Tom "bitten in 1977 and never recovered"
Quote from: gunmaker on March 30, 2013
Har ! woody's not bit---he's infected. No hope for him on this planet. Keep it up & more pic's the better. ....Tom "bitten in 1977 and never recovered"
Infected?......well I guess you might be right [hmm].....look what happened today while I was waiting on a small glue up to set, I got involved in another project. It's a 50 cal. rifle. I also started inlaying another pistol!! hdslp OK, OK..I'll slow down now. That makes five projects in the works and I'm still trying to get my first one finished. 3 pistols, a GPR rebuild and this rifle. INFECTED...srndr
Today's pistol progress. Installed a white lightning vent liner and did a little more shaping.
There ya' go Woody. Just surrender and let the demons have their way with your poor, possessed gun building soul. :mini-devil-28492:
Your pistol is coming along nicely. Let's have some details with regard to the other projects...
Yea ! Let's here more on that rifle, What is that cool OTR bbl. I love those things, my .54 has one. Just go with it---may the force be with you. ....Tom
When I started this pistol build I was thinking I would try a long gun next. Because I had spoken for the .36 caliber GPR Mongrel was going to build I made a deal with him to just purchase the components and try that as my next project. I decided to go with the .45 cal. barrel instead of the .36 .
The GPR project is using a Numeric Arms .45 cal. barrel, converting the percussion stock to accept a Investment Arms flintlock.
The .45 cal. pistol is utilizing the 9 inch section of barrel cut from the Numeric barrel from the GPR project I got from Mongrel. I had the 15/16 barrel turned to half round. The stock is cherry, the lock will be a small Siler. I'm still deciding if it will be a full or half stock.
The next pistol is a 9 1/2 inch .32 cal. 7/8 octagon Green Mountain barrel cut off I also got from Mongrel along with the GPR build. This one will either a KY
or dueling style cap lock with nickel silver furniture built around a Turner Kirkland lock.
The last is a custom 7/8 x 36 inch .50 cal. octagon to round barrel that I was given. The original owner made it but wasn't pleased with how it shot. I plan on refreshing/lapping it. It was a half stock originally, but I plan on making it a full stock. I will be using a Chambers deluxe Siler lock. The stock is maple.
Haven't had much time to work on the pistol lately, it's been somewhat crazy around here for the past couple of weeks plus my eight year old granddaughter was attacked by a pit bull. She is doing ok, very sore and scared but stitched up and healing. Luckily her injuries were to her thigh area only.
On a little brighter note I was able to get a little work done today. I made my side plate today and will start the inlet work sometime in the next day or two barring any set backs.
I also started re-cutting the cheek piece on the GPR rebuild to the earlier style instead of the beaver tail that comes on the GPR. before the ---- hit the fan around here.
Well done on both points. I knew there'd be more than enough wood for the older-style cheekpiece.
Sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I don't have a problem with that breed of dog, precisely, but I do have a problem with a lot of the owners of that type of dog, and there's no denying that the power and aggressiveness of the breed makes it more likely than most to inflict severe injury if it once takes a notion to bite. Glad the damage was relatively minor (there are areas of a child's body that it would be far worse to have a dog latch onto), and my best wishes for her full recovery.
I can tell you what to do with that pistol----if you get my drift. A friends 8 year old son had his left forearm severed by one of those dogs. The same Dr. that put me back together after a work place accident, took 8 hours to get Bobby's arm at least back on. Watch those things- Mongrel's right the owners (not all) are the main problem. ....Tom
Got the side plate I made inlaid today. hi:
thmbsup As Freddy Pince used ta say........ looookin goood!
thmbsup +1
Lookin good Woody! Hope your Granddaughter is healing up as well!
I started prepping the stock for stain and finishing. I will do the metal finish while the stock is drying as well as any final tweaking and parts assembly. Hopefully my next post will be the finished pistol. hi:
Lookin' good Woody! Love that Queen Anne lock. Your inletting shows off your skills. Very nice work. Can't wait to see her completed.
Well I just wanted to post one more progress report before I get her finished. I got the stock stained and oiled with linseed oil and will be hand rubbing it once it dries. I also will be trying to give the pistol somewhat of a overall patina. Ken did the engraving for me. I am really happy with it so far. I hope to post the finished pistol soon.
lookin good thmbsup
That looks REAL NICE Woody!!! I'm excited about seeing the finished pics. thmbsup
looking good.
Well everyone I got her finished! I am quite happy with it. hi:
No. # 1 is right. Great looking snake charmer. Tom
thmbsup Ya sure didn't disappoint me. Excellent job.
thmbsup COOL Nice Work thmbsup
MAN! THATS NICE!...I REALLY enjoyed this thread...THANKS for sharing!
How many times do I have to tell you guys... It isn't a finished project until I get to inspect and proof it!!!! whipping So send it along right now so you can finish this project... we all know how leaving something almost done is a waste... :mini-devil-28492:
Thanks for everyone's kind words and support, I've had a blast with this project. A special thanks to Mongrel for all his help and input.
Ken surprised me with his version of "Journeyman's" papers.
Very, very nice Woody. Your first scratch build is a success. Something to be proud of that's for sure.
Nice work indeed!
turned out great thmbsup the patina on the stock and metal is well done , could pass as an original at first glance !
I noticed that she's NOT quite finished. We need a target to look at, sorta like a graduation certificate.......Good to go. Tom
I think in this case Ken deserves all the credit for helping you, Woody. I may have been a bad influence here and there, but Ken was the actual mentor through the hands-on process.
Congratulations, it looks great. Now when someone bugs me about a pistol I'll know who to recommend them to.... :mini-devil-28492:
Quote from: mongrel on May 10, 2013
Congratulations, it looks great. Now when someone bugs me about a pistol I'll know who to recommend them to.... :mini-devil-28492:
hdslp ROFL
EE Gads what have we done! Feburary of 2013 Woody started his first scratch build - now June of 2014 he has completed 9 guns!
And I haven't seen one of them arive here yet for testing! :mini-devil-28492:
Quote from: Red Badger on June 29, 2014
EE Gads what have we done! Feburary of 2013 Woody started his first scratch build - now June of 2014 he has completed 9 guns!
And I haven't seen one of them arive here yet for testing! :mini-devil-28492:
Dang Badger....I've sent you 5 but they have all been returned mark "No such address" !........ so I've given up,, dang Post Office. :mini-devil-28492:
btw, still working on #9