barrel inetting machine.

[jerrywh]

Several members have expressed an interest in seeing my barrel inletting machine so -- here it is. There is a simpler way to make one of these that will eliminate the need for a lathe. The carriage rollers can be made from V pulleys and made to roll on inverted angle iron. I have seen several made like that and they work just as well. It is much less time consuming to make and much less expensive. The motor mount was made with castable hard rubber. This can be found on the net. http://jwh-flintlocks.net/cuting-channels1.jpg http://jwh-flintlocks.net/machine-head.jpg http://jwh-flintlocks.net/machine-rollers.jpg http://jwh-flintlocks.net/machine1.jpg http://jwh-flintlocks.net/machine2.jpg

 

[Bruce Bogart]

Thank you Jerry. I'll be sketching, drawing and scrounging materials based on this! I will never be in the same class of gunbuilding as you but I do appreciate that you help hacks like me with the questions we have!

 

[jerrywh]

about 15 years ago I built an English pistol but I never knew how to engrave very well at that time. As time went by I ran into a master engraver that happened to live about 18 miles from my house. I asked him about engraving my name in script on the top of the barrel. He replied, "Why don't you do it yourself?" I told him I could never do that even if my life depended in it. He replied- How do you know that?
Any way he ended up giving me a few lessons in engraving and we became super good friends. About 10 years later I became a master engraver in the American firearms engravers guild. The moral of the story is this. You never know what you can do if you put your mind to it and have determination. Never be afraid to try something no matter how intimidating it may look. Practice on something that doesn't matter. Ask any body who is the top in their field and they will tell you they never dreamed they would get to that level. When anybody says they will never get to my level I always remember ,I said the same thing years ago. There are some engravers who still make me feel that way but now I know I will catch up if I live long enough and God is willing.

 

[Bruce Bogart]

Well Jerry I am not afraid to try anything. Never made a mistake that I didn't get honest trying something new. I plan on continuing to build rifles. I'll continue to push myself to do things outside the comfort zone. I may become proficient. But alas I have not much artistic talent. But with the help and suggestions from guys like you I hope to continue to improve! Thank you Jerry. I may have a few questions as I sketch and plot.

 

[jerrywh]

I sometimes think artistic ability is a matter of persistance. I used to wonder if I was the only one who took days to develope a pattern only to find that it didn't look right a few days later. After talking to some really great artists and engravers I found that it is the norm rather than the exception.

 

[John Taylor]

Nice work. Not the prettiest but very functional. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Now to figure out how to make a machine that will cut the channel for a swamped barrel and no pattern to use.
I make up router bits for octagon channels for uses in the mill, but they don't do so well for a swamped barrel. Work great for strait and taper channels. I make them out of pieces of rifle barrel that have been cut off. Late model high power 4140 steel can be hardened and holds an edge just fine.

 

[gonzomann]

That is really cool, Jerry. Thanks for the pics and the tips.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Thanks, Jerry!
I want everyone to know that the only-ONLY reason I took the step and bought the GRS engraving setup and took the class was the encouragement from Jerry. If he had not said, "Do it, Mike!", I would still be wishing I could. Like he says, it takes not being afraid of screwing up. Because you will. Then you see your screw up and see how to remedy it, and you move to a higher place.
His work is an inspiration, too, I would like to get there.
Thanks, Jerry!!