Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Muzzleloaders => Topic started by: cryo-magnon-Eric Parker on December 31, 2016, 09:53:23 pm
-
My first gun build. 20ga flintlock with a lot of work still left to do. Hoping it turns out decent.
-
Looks like it's gonna be a nice one Eric. That stock ought to knock your eyes out when it's done.
-
Thanks Pat, i hope so. The stock has quite a bit of curl on one side, the other has almost none.
-
Well, just keep showing the curly side. ;)
-
Do you have your touch hole liner in already? It is better to wait until you have your barrel pinned and lock inlet complete before you locate the liner.
-
Eric i have already installed the liner but it makes sense that it would be easier after the lock inlet is complete. My next one I will, thanks or the tip!
-
Getter done, got turkeys to hunt in a few months! ;D
-
Looking forward to seeing this one, Eric.
-
It will be ready by then for sure Lyman. Me to Eddie i took a break from the wood and forged out the side and butt plate today.
-
Very cool!
-
Very cool, looking forward to watching how it progresses.
-
Looks like a great start. I look forward to following the progress.
-
Progress(slow progress)on my gun. Inletted and temporarily fitted my butt plate today. As well as silver soldered the underlugs on. Hope to have a complete and shooting gun to post in a couple weeks.
-
One thing I do on a plank build is lay the plank flat and mark two centerlines from stem to stern, top and bottom so I can inlet things lined up with barrel; buttplates, toe plates, tangs , trigger guards, and ramrod pipes. Freehanding these things never goes well.
It lookes like the return of your buttplate is cocked off to the side which would be OK if you are a lefty and you put cast off in the butt, not so for a righty.
This buttplate was a nightmare to inlet, you can see my centerlines for lay out. I put 1/4" of cast off in the butt as is visible in the layout lines.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/English%20Fowler/buttplatealignment.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/English%20Fowler/buttplatealignment.jpg.html)
A month later it is in, yep a month, I started with way too much extra wood for "practice", big mistake, once I started I couldn't turn back and had to remove the excess one little chip at a time, tens of thousands of them. I couldn't get the return down and and the toe of the buttplate to make contact with the wood at the same time, the toe was off the wood about .010. I heated the toe to red hot and smacked it hard with a sledge hammer, problem solved.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/English%20Fowler/buttplateinletcomplete.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/English%20Fowler/buttplateinletcomplete.jpg.html)
-
Well, I was thinking, perhaps you would rather I keep my input to myself, it's your build and none of my business. If you want my input let me know, otherwise I will shut up.
-
Eric, I appreciate the advice and the pictures! Do not think it is unwanted. I really dont know very much of what I am doing on this build. Two good friends (nclonghunter and pawtrap) have helped me alot. As well as reading your posts. Freehanding the butt plate without center lines was not a good idea at all. I definitely should have laid it out better. I've learned in this build so far I need to slow down more and I need better lighting in my shop.
-
With a butt plate you want it completely filed to the final dimensions before you inlet it, the base flat with a slight draft cut in the edges, even from side to side in the lay out.
I like that you forged the butt plate, looks good, but I would have filed out all the dents and made it really slick. Next I would have drawn a paper template of the exact finished shape and glued it on the buttplate to file it down to be perfectly shaped and even side to side.
I did this on the side plate on my squirrel rifle so I could cut it out precisely.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/Squirrel%20rifle/sidelplate%20005_zpskbdrmn81.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/Squirrel%20rifle/sidelplate%20005_zpskbdrmn81.jpg.html)
Are using a dremel tool? Not good on a build, it makes your work sloppy, even mine if I am not careful and I was once a power duck decoy carver that did very fine detail work with a dremel.
-
Another thing; do you have a pattern you are following? I have found the full sized plans you can buy are well worth the $7 you spend on them. You can't follow them exactly but they give you an idea of where to remove wood and how to shape things.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/English%20Fowler/makingapattern.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/English%20Fowler/makingapattern.jpg.html)
-
The paper template is a great idea. I didn't think of that. I used a dremel some but switched to hand files pretty quick. At the moment ive been relying on a couple friends for advice and help and recently borrowed a 20ga that im using for reference. It was built from more of a kit gun. I think I'll go ahead and order the plans you recommend. Especially since i have alot of work still left to do.
-
I have used a Dremel, too. And while I have not had the experience of Eric chewing blocks of wood into ducks, I have taken the tool to hawk, falcon, and owl beaks to trim and reshape them when they are overgrown!
I am much more comfortable doing that work on a gunstock with hand tools now and will leave the rotary tool alone. However, with the birds, I want it done and done quick to reduce stress and limit the amount of trust I am destroying by manhandling them, so Dremel it is!
Take your time, Cryo! Don't let us pressure you into hurrying. Enjoy the process.
-
Eric, I think the blueprint of the gun is an excellent idea. I believe you can get them from Track of the Wolf. Maybe Eric Krewson can recommend another place or two to search. I also believe the pattern you want is a smooth-bore, I think it is the French type D trade gun.
-
I couldn't find the plans for a French type D trade gun, only found plans for a French the fusil de chasse, English fowler and a North East trade gun.
-
Thanks for looking Eric