Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: RobD on February 13, 2021, 02:21:34 PM

Title: Ball Boards
Post by: RobD on February 13, 2021, 02:21:34 PM: With a new-to-me .50 flinter on the way, time to make up some ball boards in shooting anticipation whilst whiling away the doldrums of a freezing, snowy winter.

Cut up some 1/2" x 2-1/2" oak to 6-1/2" lengths, layout the tick marks for the ball holes.
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Drill press does the hole making deed.
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Ready for sanding.
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Belt sander takes care of smoothing out the flats and rounding off the edges.
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Ready for some wipe-on polyU to seal the grain.
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All done. Made a pair - top one with the red .015" pillow ticking (9/16" ball holes) and t'other with .010" linen (1/2" ball holes).
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Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: KDubs on February 13, 2021, 05:16:16 PM: Looking good.
I still haven't gotten around to making any of those.
Been busy making horns and leather stuff.
Kevin
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Butler Ford 40 on February 13, 2021, 05:33:21 PM: They look good! :hairy
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: ridjrunr on February 13, 2021, 05:36:16 PM: 👍🏻👍🏻
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 13, 2021, 08:47:15 PM: They certainly are a handy item for sure...

These are as close as we'll ever get to a; "Magazine or Clip" in this hobby... :laffing

They really are a handy item for sure. I use them all the time. :bl th up
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Fyrstyk on February 14, 2021, 08:29:32 AM: If the ball board holds more than 10 rounds you might have to pay a $200 tax under Biden's gun laws if enacted. (just kidding)
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: rollingb on February 14, 2021, 10:11:31 AM: Quote from: Fyrstyk on February 14, 2021, 08:29:32 AM
If the ball board holds more than 10 rounds you might have to pay a $200 tax under Biden's gun laws if enacted. (just kidding)

Please don't give Ol' Puddin' Head any ideas! ;banghead; :laffing
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Uncle Russ on February 14, 2021, 11:09:29 AM: Quote from: Fyrstyk on February 14, 2021, 08:29:32 AM
If the ball board holds more than 10 rounds you might have to pay a $200 tax under Biden's gun laws if enacted. (just kidding)

:laffing :laffing :laffing :laffing :bow Ain't that the darn truth! And I ain't kidding.

Russ..
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 14, 2021, 11:58:41 AM: Quote from: Fyrstyk on February 14, 2021, 08:29:32 AM
If the ball board holds more than 10 rounds you might have to pay a $200 tax under Biden's gun laws if enacted. (just kidding)

That's why I only make mine with 8 holes... I don't want to have to pay a fine and plug two holes in a ten hole board... :laffing
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: PetahW on February 14, 2021, 12:37:06 PM: .

Nice job !

I did pretty much the same thing for my .45 T/C Seneca - but I also inletted the bottom end of the holes to fit the muzzle & lower rib nose of my rifle. (I used some scrap Walnut 3/4" thick board I had laying around)

(https://i.imgur.com/XPZ5P41l.jpg)
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Bigsmoke on February 14, 2021, 01:04:10 PM: Fun stuff. Gee, I have no idea how many ball boards I have made over the years. I have never cared to use them, but I made them.
Petah, that is the way I made mine, with a cut out around the hole. Originally I figured on that countersink as a location area to put the patch, then push the ball through. I started out using a Forstner bit, but found that difficult to center, so I got a 1 1/4" countersink bit with a hole in the middle to put a 1/2" shank bit into, and presto changeo, one easy operation. I probably still have it laying around somewhere.
The few times I have used a ball board, I usually located them on the barrel of the rifle by having the patched ball protrude a bit and located off of that.
Anyway, good stuff here. As always, this is a good place to learn. Bravo !!!

John (Bigsmoke)
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Fyrstyk on February 15, 2021, 10:40:29 AM: Here are a few of the ball boards I have made up so I wouldn't go stir crazy. I had quite a bit of left over hardwood (hickory) flooring from a remodeling job.

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The beaver block has a built in powder measure, and the tail is a cap holder.
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Fyrstyk on February 15, 2021, 10:42:39 AM: Here are a few more. The 3-hole block at the end of the powder horn has magnets built in so it sticks to the end of the horn. The white ball block is made from a Moose antler shed. [ Invalid Attachment ]
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: RobD on February 15, 2021, 10:49:09 AM: Very nice ball boards. Fyrstyk. :bl th up
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: rollingb on February 15, 2021, 10:51:30 AM: I like the moose antler one and the beaver. :hairy
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Nessmuk on February 15, 2021, 11:31:50 AM: The cap holders in the beaver tail is incredibly clever , Fyrstyk ! !!
I'll have to "borrow " the idea.
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 15, 2021, 01:13:56 PM: Quote from: Nessmuk on February 15, 2021, 11:31:50 AM
The cap holders in the beaver tail is incredibly clever , Fyrstyk ! !!
I'll have to "borrow " the idea.

Great idea for sure, and yes,,, I will also borrow that idea as well. It will eliminate one of the dangling leathers from my bag strap... Thanks!!! :hairy
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: RobD on February 15, 2021, 01:47:22 PM: Long time ago I also built a few hunting speed loaders - 3 patched balls and 3 corked powder charge cavities. Hafta see if I can find pix my pix of 'em.
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: Fyrstyk on February 15, 2021, 06:06:45 PM: The beaver ball block also has a built in powder measure, so it eliminates another "dangly" from my pouch strap.
Title: Re: Ball Boards
Post by: shootrj2003 on July 09, 2021, 01:11:27 PM: About 6 mo.s late ,but I thought it was a squirrel….just me …I guess…I’m sure I must be wrong! Of course I was now I see the beaverUH..HEH! Sorry!