Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: Spotted Bull on July 29, 2020, 10:51:36 AM

Title: A Predicament
Post by: Spotted Bull on July 29, 2020, 10:51:36 AM
Well I have been sitting here looking at this kit I won in the raffle. And I came to a couple of conclusions.

1. A lot of wood needs to be removed from the stock. I have neither the tools, skills or appropriate work area to accomplish this. Probably could use a little removed from the forearm area as well.

2. There's also some metal work (barrel lugs, etc) that needs to be done. As above I have none of the required elements to accomplish this work.

 ;banghead;
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: PetahW on July 29, 2020, 10:56:06 AM
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pilot error  :Doh!

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Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: PetahW on July 29, 2020, 10:59:16 AM

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That sounds like a learning opportunity to me.....   :bigsmile:

If you're a senior citizen, and there's a senior center nearby, there may be a woodworking shop that will have machines & advice available (there's one such here that I use when I need to use a machine I don't possess)

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Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Spotted Bull on July 29, 2020, 11:04:53 AM
I'm not quite senior enough I don't think.
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: rollingb on July 29, 2020, 12:14:22 PM
Well I have been sitting here looking at this kit I won in the raffle. And I came to a couple of conclusions.

1. A lot of wood needs to be removed from the stock. I have neither the tools, skills or appropriate work area to accomplish this. Probably could use a little removed from the forearm area as well.

2. There's also some metal work (barrel lugs, etc) that needs to be done. As above I have none of the required elements to accomplish this work.

 ;banghead;

Some pictures of the rifle's stock, barrel, and hardware, would help us recommend what you need to put your rifle together.  :bl th up

Even if you are a novice,.... something like your rifle kit can be put together and finished with minimal tools and $$.

Everyone with experience of putting rifle kits together, or building rifles from "parts and pieces",.... learned how, by doing their very first one.  :bl th up  :)

If you have a linoleum/hardwood floor in your kitchen (and an understanding wife),.... a kitchen table makes a passable "work bench" for someone lacking an actual "shop".  :bl th up
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: BEAVERMAN on July 29, 2020, 01:00:33 PM
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!! not that hard Brother, ask many questions here, there is enough of us that have done kits, built from scratch and have made most ALL of the mistakes in the past to help you avoid them,a 4 foot Costco plastic lifetime table, a couple of Werner or Craftsman bar clamps, some files and sand paper, a few basic chisels and you should be on your way!
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: rollingb on July 29, 2020, 01:30:48 PM
I rarely find use for sandpaper, since I bought a set of card scrapers years ago,.... a good set of scrapers will save you $$ when compared to the cost of good sandpaper, and will last you 2-3 lifetimes.  :bl th up

https://www.amazon.com/Crown-376-Cabinet-Scraper-Gooseneck/dp/B001C06BLE/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=card+scrapers&qid=1596042716&sr=8-12

Here is a video showing the proper way to sharpen a scraper, and the tools that make it easy.  :bl th up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L4Ij-xMuNU&t=168s
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: BEAVERMAN on July 29, 2020, 01:41:53 PM
Yes Sir, but, for smoothing the long run of a fore stock and getting it straight and flat, good paper on a 6 inch sanding block is easy for beginners, I use a plane, spoke shave and starret straight edge to do this, then finish with scrapers and a bone to burnish
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: rollingb on July 29, 2020, 01:58:22 PM
Yes Sir, but, for smoothing the long run of a fore stock and getting it straight and flat, good paper on a 6 inch sanding block is easy for beginners, I use a plane, spoke shave and starret straight edge to do this, then finish with scrapers and a bone to burnish

Quite true,.... sandpaper does "have its place", just like other "tools"!!  :bl th up
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Winter Hawk on July 29, 2020, 02:57:57 PM
Bull, now you know why it ended up as a drawing prize!   :bigsmile:  I had come to the same conclusions as you, figured someone else could do better than me on this kit.  I have put together several CVA and Deer Creek kits but this one was more than I was ready to take on!

Think of it this way, though.  You now have a prize to donate for next year's drawing!  :laffing :laffing :laffing

Of course you could take up the challenge and remove tons of wood and do the rest of what is needed, using Beaverman's suggestions and input....

~Kees~
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Spotted Bull on July 29, 2020, 03:19:42 PM
Yeah Kees I think the prize for next time is the way I'm going to go. I just don't have it in me to do it. I'm about to start whittling down all the stuff I have now. Including rifles.
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: JB67 on July 30, 2020, 05:18:22 AM
What brand kit? Maybe someone else would put it together for you, or you could trade or sell it.
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Spotted Bull on July 30, 2020, 06:41:26 AM
It's a CVA Kentucky, .45 caliber.
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: ridjrunr on July 30, 2020, 12:00:18 PM
I rarely find use for sandpaper, since I bought a set of card scrapers years ago,.... a good set of scrapers will save you $$ when compared to the cost of good sandpaper, and will last you 2-3 lifetimes.  :bl th up

https://www.amazon.com/Crown-376-Cabinet-Scraper-Gooseneck/dp/B001C06BLE/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=card+scrapers&qid=1596042716&sr=8-12

Here is a video showing the proper way to sharpen a scraper, and the tools that make it easy.  :bl th up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L4Ij-xMuNU&t=168s
Great video, I love scrapers. On wood and on horn. The only time I get out paper is if I get bad chatter with scraper. Luckily that happens less with each project :*:
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Ohio Joe on July 30, 2020, 12:25:27 PM
I had an old carpenter (Ralph La'Plant) he gave me lessons in shaving wood with single and double strength glass (You'll want to wear good leather gloves) and that's what I use, but you still have to work down the curves with file and sand paper... If it works for you - stick with it.  :hairy
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Hanshi on July 30, 2020, 02:48:47 PM
 :pray: Of course you could always, AHEM! place it in my care for building and testing.  :*:
Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: PetahW on August 04, 2020, 11:28:52 AM
:pray: Of course you could always, AHEM! place it in my care for building and testing.  :*:



IMO it'll need at least a 5 year test...….   :bigsmile:

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Title: Re: A Predicament
Post by: Spotted Bull on August 04, 2020, 01:44:12 PM
Well if someone needs a kit to do...

It is missing the ramrod thimbles and the little plate that goes between the forearm and stock.