Clay Smith Trade Gun Build

[50calBoone]

Cant wait to see the finished gun ! You and Rob had me a nervous wreck ! And I wasn't even building anything ! Looks great !

 

[TDM]

Cant wait to see the finished gun ! You and Rob had me a nervous wreck ! And I wasn't even building anything ! Looks great !

Me and you both! I’d never done any of this depth of building before. I’m wore out again now! Thanks.

 

[TDM]

Now I need @Rob M. to critique my work today.

 

[Rob M.]

Now I need @Rob M. to critique my work today.

Yout right on bud ! Funny , that little drawing where the trigger goes , showing g where to drill , high and forward as possible ....thats on every gun I've made . And the trigger guard position ....either in the middle of guard or just a bit back of middle , bit more room., I'd perfect . Some originals are horrible , trigger way too far forward , little room ....but you did great on everything ! You got this ! Gettin excited to see ya shoot it !!

 

[TDM]

Thank you @Rob M., I really appreciate all your help on this build.

 

[Rob M.]

Lookin like a pro bud !

 

[PathfinderNC]

Well you are moving right along!
I don’t imagine that the lock bolt hole like that will affect anything. There’s still plenty of meat on there.
Also, was the Sideplate area already milled out for it?

 

[TDM]

Well you are moving right along!
I don’t imagine that the lock bolt hole like that will affect anything. There’s still plenty of meat on there.
Also, was the Sideplate area already milled out for it?

Thanks, yes, the side plate was pre-inletted, had to trace and remove the last 1/16” to 1/8”. But the milling wasn’t in alignment with the side plate so I ended up with some gaps before I even started, same problem with the lock inlet and thumb rest. I remember reading an old post that said they wished they had gotten the kit without the pre-inletting because of alignment problems. I agree with them now.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Thanks, yes, the side plate was pre-inletted, had to trace and remove the last 1/16” to 1/8”. But the milling wasn’t in alignment with the side plate so I ended up with some gaps before I even started, same problem with the lock inlet and thumb rest. I remember reading an old post that said they wished they had gotten the kit without the pre-inletting because of alignment problems. I agree with them now.

Yeah- Having that plate inlet sure looks like it made issues, especially with the bolt places already established. I think Clay might be interested in knowing some of the challenges your facing with his kit, maybe.

 

[TDM]

Yeah- Having that plate inlet sure looks like it made issues, especially with the bolt places already established. I think Clay might be interested in knowing some of the challenges your facing with his kit, maybe.

I agree, I should tell him about the pre inletting problems as it did complicate things. If I ever do another of these I’ll definitely ask for no pre inlets.

 

[mikesto44]

TDM and your doing a great job... Rob helped me a lot too...he's a great guy...!
What you have had to deal with is why I like making a gun from a plank. I can do my own screw ups... Don't need to fix someone elses....lol

 

[TDM]

TDM and your doing a great job... Rob helped me a lot too...he's a great guy...!
What you have had to deal with is why I like making a gun from a plank. I can do my own screw ups... Don't need to fix someone elses....lol

Now I agree with you! Live and learn, and as usual I learned the hard way.

 

[TDM]

Today was a bit more relaxing. Began inletting the ram rod pipes. I measured equal spacing for the 3 pipes and center marked each. I did most of the tab inlet with a small gouge then sped the process up by drilling a series of 1/16” holes. Used my curved gouges to inlet the pipe until it was flush with the ram rod channel. Then marked and cut the pipe tab to be flush with the barrel channel. 1 down, 2 too go, then I’ll pin them.

 

[oreclan]

Thanks, yes, the side plate was pre-inletted, had to trace and remove the last 1/16” to 1/8”. But the milling wasn’t in alignment with the side plate so I ended up with some gaps before I even started, same problem with the lock inlet and thumb rest. I remember reading an old post that said they wished they had gotten the kit without the pre-inletting because of alignment problems. I agree with them now.

I have Clay's trade kit I bought years ago, still not built. I hope the inlets are better! We will see.

 

[TDM]

I have Clay's trade kit I bought years ago, still not built. I hope the inlets are better! We will see.

It’s probably as much my lack of experience as any pre-inletting issues. By the time I’m finished I think I’ll be very happy with it. You need to take the plunge and start on yours!

 

[oreclan]

Today was a bit more relaxing. Began inletting the ram rod pipes. I measured equal spacing for the 3 pipes and center marked each. I did most of the tab inlet with a small gouge then sped the process up by drilling a series of 1/16” holes. Used my curved gouges to inlet the pipe until it was flush with the ram rod channel. Then marked and cut the pipe tab to be flush with the barrel channel. 1 down, 2 too go, then I’ll pin them.

I'm probably mistaken, but are the rr pipes pinned or bent over in a barrel channel "relief inlet " and held in place by the barrel... or am I getting senile?

 

[TDM]

I'm probably mistaken, but are the rr pipes pinned or bent over in a barrel channel "relief inlet " and held in place by the barrel... or am I getting senile?

They can be done either way. I’m pinning mine, but the tabs can be left long and bent over, but the barrel channel has to be inletted. @Rob M. says he pins his, so I’ll do the same.

 

[Rob M.]

Great job on inletting the RR pipes . Took me forty guns to figure it out ! I'm slow ! Your good bud !!

 

[TDM]

Thanks @Rob M. !!!!!

 

[Rob M.]

Thanks @Rob M. !!!!!

You kick @$$ bud ! Impressed!