Brand New Haines

[Finnwolf]

On the way home from work, I stopped at the local UPS hub to pick up my component set from Dunlap Woodcrafts. The bug to build this has bit me 3 times but I've always recovered in the nick of time. I've been working up the courage to tackle this for the last 7 months and I finally ordered it last week. Then a couple days ago, I read the post saying how most 1st time builders "turn a $900 parts set into a $500 rifle". I'm gonna go slow, follow Chuck Dixon's book and pray for a good outcome.

Isaac Haines, .54 C profile Rice 1 in 66" with a good lookin' Siler lock and an eye poppin' stock.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v719/finnwolf/?action=view&current=ih3.jpg

It was a pleasure to deal with Daniel at Dunlap and I'd recommend him to anyone. Wish me luck, I/m going to need it.

 

Good luck! Hopefully, we'll be suffering through Lancaster builds together, as I hope to order mine next week. Still debating whether to go with Pecatonica or Chambers. I also sent an e-mail to Tip Curtis and he's going to send me a price list.

That is one gorgeous piece of wood! I hope I can get one that comes close to that!

:redthumb:

 

[Packdog]

Finnwolf,
Beautiful piece of wood! I built one of Wayne's I.H. kits last year and was very happy with it. I know you'll be happy! Good luck.
If I had it all to do over I would only change one thing. Get Birddog6 to post pictures of a simple I.H. he did for a customer. It might be on his website? I did not realize how nice one could look with very simple carving.
PD

 

[hcook]

Hey Finnwolf,

What does Dunlap grade your stockwood at?

Hank

 

[Finnwolf]

Hey Dood,
I fell in love with Chambers set the 2nd time this bug bit me, about 3 years ago. I used to go to his site a couple times a week and drool over his Edward Marshall. Almost ordered it a few times but I never did. The bug went away for a couple years and when it came back it was a Lancaster bug. Guess I either fell for the graceful lines or the idea of lugging 7 1/2 lbs. around the mountains instead of 10 lbs. I started reading and joined this forum and learned about other sets. I saw Wayne Dunlap's stuff last July at Dixon's fair and was impessed with the quality. I've neve held a Chambers but I hear they are top quality. Bunch of builders on this site recommended Wayne - he's a pleasure to deal. I've seen pics of what Zonie can build using Pecatonica sets. I can't see you goung wrong with any of the 3. Too bad Tip's stuff is not on the web, I'd love to see it. If you don't mind, can I get a copy of Tip's price list when you get it?
Finnwolf

 

[Finnwolf]

Hank,
May sound funny but I'm not sure. I started out to order it back in January but I wanted a really good piece of wood 'cause I'm scared to carve it. At the time, Dunlap was low on Haines stock but a new batch of maple was coming in. Well it was delayed awhile and then the blanks had to be sent out for carving so I told Dunlap to pick me the best of the lot and this one is it. Not sure but I think he said it was a 5 ot 6? What would you grade it at?
Thanks,
Finnwolf

 

[fatboy]

Finnwolf, Wow!!you got a darn nice pc of wood there should look great when your done any idea what color your gonna stain it ? :front:

 

Sure. Send me a PM with your snail-mail address, and I'll see if I can't get you a copy made when it arrives. That's how he's sending it to me... I'm guessing he's not very computer literate, or he'd have one in electronic form he could just e-mail out.

Oh well, at least he replied to my e-mail! :redthumb:

Pecatonica keeps callin' my name... I keep seeing Zonie's guns in my head, and looking at their site, and thinking of that grade 4 maple... :youcrazy: :redthumb: I can't wait!

John

 

[Gordon Horn]

Finnwolf, thats one very nice riflestock. I really like all that figure you're going to have in it. I'm jealous! :crackup: Keep us up to date on the build.

 

[hcook]

Finnwolf, I would have to agree with your rating, it would certainly have to be high. I am in the process of gathering parts to build a Vincent and was thinking of using Dunlap for a stock and wasn't sure of their system.

Hank :thanks:

 

[Birddog6]

That appears to be one of Waynes grade 7 stocks. I have bought allot of wood from Dunlaps & Wayne has top notch wood....... And he is always a pleasure to deal with.

:thumbsup:

 

[Finnwolf]

Hello LHunter,
You're a fellow Pennsylvanian - where from?

I'm not yet 100% sure but I'm pretty sure I want a lancaster brown with a tint of red in it to set off the antiqued brass patina and the plum brown barrel I'm planning.

Something like this:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v719/finnwolf/?action=view&current=HainesCheek.jpg

Or something like this:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v719/finnwolf/?action=view&current=AAA-604_2.jpg

But I do like a whisky brown like this:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v719/finnwolf/?action=view&current=aaa-411_0.jpg

Guess I'll know for sure when the time comes.
Finnwolf

 

[Finnwolf]

I'm still a little weak in the knees from an overdose of tiger stripe but I'll go along with Birddog6 - if anyone out there is thinking of ordering a kit - give Dunlap a look.
Finnwolf

 

[Finnwolf]

Thanks Flatlander, I appreciate the nice comments! Don't be jealous, it ain't built yet.
The same thing happened to my hair - woke up one morning and there it was, so I got this here hat. Looks good, don't it?
Just kidding...

 

[fatboy]

Finnwolf I am from southcentral Pa between Gettysburg and York. I like your #2 color pic, but I like the wiskey brown too tough choices ! your stock will be great looking either color :m2c: :front:

 

[Finnwolf]

Hi LHunter,
Been out your way many times, I love to visit Gettysburg National Park. Great area, lot's of history out there too. I love the more rural atmosphere as opposed to the industrial steel/coal northeast but this has always been my home and I love what we have here too.
Yeah, it's a tough choice I have to make but I'm just about sure it's going to be #2, Birddog6 recommended Dangler's reddish/brown so I'm going to experiment with that on some scraps. Being my first build, I just hope it comes out nice enough so I don't have to hide it in the attic.
Finnwolf

 

[oneeye]

Finnwolf, is this going to be your first attempt to build one or have you built others already?

Thanks.

Dan

 

[flashpanner]

better choose a different color pattern and style!! I have already chosen mine to have this coloring! :crackup: You have good taste! I'd like to see pics of it when you are finished! It will be a real nice piece!!

 

[Finnwolf]

Oneeye,
I'm counting it as a first attempt. I built a couple of pistols over 20 years ago and I've refinished a modern gunstock or two. I built some cabinets and furniture over the years so I'm familiar with using tools and finishing wood. I have Dixon's and Alexander's books and I've read 'em both a couple times.
I'm hoping that and a whole lot of patience is enough to get me through this. If not, I'll be the latest of many to turn an expensive kit into an expensive embarassment.
Finnwolf

 

[Finnwolf]

Flash,
Good thing you're way out in 'braska and I'm here in PA. Otherwise, folks would get us mixed up, carrying the same rifles an all. Bet you have a hat just like mine too.
Finnwolf