Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: dbo1966 on January 18, 2013, 01:11:38 AM

Title: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: dbo1966 on January 18, 2013, 01:11:38 AM
Its been a while since ive posted.  Im more of a Lurker anyways.  But its time.

Im going to build a Tennesee poor boy with a thinned Virginia butt plate.  I know its not going to represent any area or builder but i like the VA butt plate curve vs the sharp TN.

I want this rifle to be light and have thin lines, so im gettin a "42, 13/16, Colerain barrel in .40.
Ill be using a small Queen Anne Lock and the small Kentucky "Jaeger" triggers.

I cant decide on the wood but im looking for a wine colored reddish hew color. Rust iron butt plate, trigger guard, side plate and 2 thimbles.

Ive got a good mentor but ive only ever built the old CVA kit.  I can do this, i think, lol.
The friend tutoring me has about 40 rifles under his belt.  Was pretty active building back in the 80's and re-tooled recently and has finished 2 rifles in past year.  I think im in good hands.

I'll post pics as i go, so please let the advice and comments flow.

So what wood do i need that will take this red wine color and where can i find it?  I would like it rough shaped with barrel channel cut and ram rod drilled.  The rest of the inletting I get to do.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: Roaddog on January 18, 2013, 06:28:48 AM
That sounds you will do just fine. Having some one that is in the know will be a grate help. I'm not alowed to have tools in my hands. Bad things happen :(  We look forwerd to seeing your proggress.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: Riley/MN on January 18, 2013, 07:40:44 AM
Sounds like a fun project! Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: RiverCat on January 18, 2013, 08:28:23 AM
"I can do this,, I think" :hey-hey That`s a good thing I think.  Sounds like you have a good mentor so I`m sure you`ll do just fine. I`m not qualified to answer your wood and stain question but if you haven`t already decided on a supplier you might want to consider Pecatonica River Long Rifle Supply. Like you want, I got mine with just the barrel and ramrod channel done and am very happy with the piece of wood they sent me and the quality of the work they did on it. They are also really nice folks and I`m sure they can answer your questions.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: sse on January 18, 2013, 09:38:29 AM
Good luck with your projects, fellas.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: rickevans on January 18, 2013, 10:14:30 AM
Pecatonica is great, also might try to get in touch with Jackie Brown. He has access to all kinds of wood and will inlet bbl channel and rammer holes...his e-mail is jbrowngunmaker@yahoo.com.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: pathfinder on January 18, 2013, 10:48:14 AM
To ansewer your question,maple is the wood to use. That way you can stain it any tone you want. Any wood already the color you want isnt acceptable for gun stock's.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: rollingb on January 18, 2013, 01:52:45 PM
I agree that maple is the best choice of wood for what you are wanting to do because it is almost "white" to start with.

Use some small pieces of maple to test different stains until you find one you like, probably some kind of "cherry" if you are after a reddish hew.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: dbo1966 on February 28, 2013, 04:13:57 AM
Finally placed an order with MBS, great people to deal with.  

Ordered a Bedford style stock, Bedford flintlock, .40, 13/16x42" and breach plug, "small kentucky slant set triggers".  

I decided on building my version of a Bedford "poorboy". I wanted a plain rifle but loved how the Bedford profile looks, shoulders and shoots.

Im so excited, like a kid at christmas. Hurry UPS!!!
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: Captchee on February 28, 2013, 11:18:37 AM
the color your  looking for , or at least what  think your looking for can be had with maple . but as the others have said , you have to stain it  right .

 the other option is cherry , which will produce a nice deep wine red color.

and here is a good piece of cherry

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/captchee/gun%20stock%20artical/storm007.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/captchee/gun%20stock%20artical/storm014.jpg)
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: dbo1966 on March 07, 2013, 05:07:14 PM
Either of those colors works for what i want.  I got a very nice curley/stripped maple now. Got it, lock, barrel, breech plug and all my hardware last friday.

Got my breech plug in yesterday with no problems other than usual fileing/fitting, was rather easy.

Also cut and shaped my tang, beveled an shaped to my "mentors" satisfaction.

Today, i drilled for a "white lightning" touch hole liner.  I didnt order the tap (duh) so that got ordered with some ram rods and Leighigh red stain.

And i started the draw filing.  THIS SUCKS!!!  But its needed.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: dbo1966 on March 26, 2013, 12:05:29 PM
Inletted barrel and tang, started on butt plate.
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: Riley/MN on March 26, 2013, 12:07:23 PM
:hairy

We LOVE pictures!
Title: Re: Im gonna give her a try.
Post by: Roaddog on March 27, 2013, 05:59:43 AM
Your comeing along nicely, keep up the good work.