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Woodsrunner Builders - Tools and Supplies?

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mrfritz44

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I'd like to generate a list of tools and supplies previous Woodsrunner builders found useful given the fact that the Woodsrunner is machined to such a high degree of accuracy. In theory, I shouldn't need to buy much.

If you're an experienced Woodsrunner builder, can you please check my list for completeness and potential modifications?

Tools I need:
  • Gunsmith screwdrivers
  • Lock vice
  • Files - what worked well for you?
  • Chisel - What worked well for you?

Tools I own:
  • Ballpeen hammer
  • Mallet
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Wire cutters
  • Nail set

Supplies I need:
  • Red ScotchBright
  • Sandpaper - grits 120 to 400?
  • 0000 Steel Wool
  • Brass Black - plan to blacken the brass
  • Birchwood Casey Plum Brown
  • Iron Nitrate
  • Birchwood Casey TruOil - is there a better choice for a traditional hand rubbed satin finish?
  • Wool Daubers to apply Brass Black and Browning solutions
Can anyone see anything I might be missing or have other suggestions?
 
On files, a 8” single cut smooth mill file for draw filing the barrel. And a set of jewelry files to detail the brass. Most of the chisels to complete nearly anything are in the picture but as I make them they don’t have names except the vainer.
Tru-oil is first rate to me, you can get any results with it by how you apply it.
68E83786-8D68-4762-85E4-2585FF10C917 by Oliver
Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0250 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
 
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Thanks Phil.

Did you find the need to draw file the barrel much, and if so, did you follow up with anything less abrasive?

I've only done one kit many years ago, an old Lyman that wasn't quality at all, and the barrel seemed pretty smooth to me then.
 
I sand with backing blocks after filing. It depends on what finish you want, I prefer no file marks and that includes a mat finish all the way to very smooth. Quality isn’t just skin deep! :)
 
mrfritz44 said:
Thanks Phil.

Did you find the need to draw file the barrel much, and if so, did you follow up with anything less abrasive?

I've only done one kit many years ago, an old Lyman that wasn't quality at all, and the barrel seemed pretty smooth to me then.
Click to expand...
I got an SMR in the mail yesterday, I am amazed at how well finished the barrel is. Extremely fine mill marks you can barely feel and it looks like the texture of the pad of my thumb, if not smoother. Will set a reminder to take photos of it for you this evening.
 
mrfritz44 said:
Thanks Phil.

Did you find the need to draw file the barrel much, and if so, did you follow up with anything less abrasive?

I've only done one kit many years ago, an old Lyman that wasn't quality at all, and the barrel seemed pretty smooth to me then.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you can see the marks, tried to get the sun to catch them but they're so small they might not be visible after the Internet compresses the image and kills the resolution a bit.
1000010741.jpg

1000010742.jpg
 
Thanks much. Please let me know how it works out. Files seem like bringing a gun to a knife fight on a kit like this, except for the sand mold brass, but maybe I'm wrong.
 
those mill marks are easier to draw file out than trying to sand them out in my experience. they will look like they are gone until you hit that barrel with a finish, either blue or brown. then they will show up like my brother in law for coffee. you can count on it.
keep the file clean by using talc . if a gob of metal builds up in the cut on a file it will make a scar on the flat. that causes one to say words that the boss objects to and makes for a night on the couch.
I use plain old baby powder. folks comment on how nice my guns smell!
 
can't emphasize the clean sharp file enough. saves many tears. I buy a new Nicholson single cut for each barrel. I make cardboard scabbard's for each to protect them. some will say I'm nuts to buy a new one each time but they are used for making trigger plates, sights, and sundry other parts between barrels so i don't trust them on the flats of a new barrel. a 12.00 file is cheaper than a 200.00 to 400.00 barrel.
 
Last edited:
Use a NEW File or you will hate yourself, Sand Paper after the fact if you rally need to that is. I use a new file with a lite touch followed by Sand Paper with a flat steel backer that doesn’t flex.
 
I did get to handle a newly arrived Woodsrunner today at a friend's house. He is putting it together (the term building is a stretch) for his friend. It arrived yesterday and was completed today however there was a tiny gap between the bolster and the barrel he needed to address. But he is a scratch rifle builder so it won't be much of a problem. Most of the work will involve smoothing the brass parts and finishing the wood and metal. The lock sparked like crazy. Great kit though.
 
I guess I made things out to be more simple. I used a typical Craftsman screwdriver I had for the (3) screws, a pair of pliars to pull pins and tap them in and a 10" single cut for all file work. I used a 6" long chunk off the end of an hop hornbeam sapling to seat the barrel/tang as needed, its a free mallet. I used a piece of extra pin stock as a punch to remove pins. It's really a very simple assembly. I wouldn't suggest spending a bunch of money on tools. Just my .012438 cents worth.
 

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