First Build - continued

[19283]

Well, the average garage temperature has dropped below 100°, and I finished some projects for the wifey, so I was given permission to get back after it. I cut out the dovetails for the front and back sights.

I also drilled the vent liner hole:

Then, after spending countless hours of trying to draw scrollwork designs, the only thing I had to show for it was two worn out erasers. I decided to Xerox some designs and blow them up to the appropriate size and make templates. I'm not sure these designs are PC, but I'm going with them! I used a 16-3 V-gouge for this. On the panels and the tang, I used an exacto knife. I like using the V-gouge better.

Here's the incised carving.[url]
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e47/19283/photo.jpg[/url]
After removing the wood around it. Still needs more clean-up:

also added two molding accents on the cheek piece.
Then I went to the wrist, same story, made a template and traced it....

After more clean-up:

I need to continue with the clean-up, and then do some sort of incised carving on the lower fore stock. Meanwhile, I'm draw filing the barrel in preparation for browning! :grin:

 

[19283]

Somehow I posted the topic twice. Computer problems.... Here's the incised carving:

[/img]

 

[Mickc01]

First build and you're carving like that?....wow! I'm looking forward to following your progress....MickC. :hatsoff: :thumbsup:

 

[kaintuck]

I would like to see a picture of that fixture jig that you had the stock in while chisel inletting......I haven't found a good way to clamp the taper buttstock to hold fast........
Please?
Marc n tomtom

 

[Luzur]

LOL "given permission" :grin:

 

[19283]

It's called a Gyro-Jaw http://www.rockler.com/gyrojaw-pivoting-vise-and-clamp-jaw-clamp-the-un-clampable

Here it is in action. It's the best thing I've found for this sort of clamping.

 

[MSW]

your carving looks really good- -especially for a "first time" builder ... that rifle will look great when it's done.

I am concerned, however, about the clutter on your bench ... where is it? you need to get some scraps of wood, some tools you never use, some magazines, a few unpaid bills, some flyers from the local feed store, and a hat from one of the neighbor's kids, and throw all this stuff in a pile on your bench...

only then can you achieve greatness ... :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Len Graves]

I agree with MSW. Your work bench is un acceptable, you need at least three half empty coffee cups with wood shaving in them. Being able to see your bench top is very disconcerting.
The only thing I see is about your carving ( which is going nicely) is you might taper away from the carved figure more to make the image look like is on top of the stock rather than sunk into it. You mentioned you had some clean up to do , and this might have been what you were talking about. Keep up the photos. I think we all would like to see the finished rifle.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Agreed, there should be no bench surface visible through the tools, shavings, coffee mugs, and Slim Jim wrappers. You should have to push the rubble farther toward the back of your bench to clear some working space. What you have is simply not okay. Still though, out of the goodness of my heart, I would trade you my properly seasoned workbench for yours :wink:

Your first build is way, way better than mine, I can't wait to see what your fifth one is going to look like- really really nice work!

 

[19283]

Thanks to all for all the workbench advice :grin: As soon as I get home I will do my best to completely bury the bench with all of the aforementioned items. I don't want to look like a novice ya know :rotf:

 

[flattail]

:thumbsup: That thing could be the best thing since sliced bread!!!
Guess I will be sending Rocklers some of my money soon. Not that it will help my carving much. :surrender:
Thanks for the link.
Ed

 

[kaintuck]

Thank you....I just ordered one....I have always tried to clamp w/o damaging......and it's never holds, so most of my carving has been done in my lap or in sandbags on the kitchen table :td:
I have a griffin to be carved on a Moravain soon.....so THAT will need to be held still....this do-dad will solve my fears......

As for the bench clutter.....add on 15+lb Kat walking around.....picking up tools sometimes.....getting right up in the face.....rolling around pawing at stuff.......turns a static bench into the dynamic clutter we all need! :youcrazy:
Marc n tomtom

 

[MSW]

:thumbsup: That thing could be the best thing since sliced bread!!!
Guess I will be sending Rocklers some of my money soon. Not that it will help my carving much. :surrender:
Thanks for the link.
Ed

for true ... got one of these for my wife ... she really likes it and I plan to get one to add to my clutter ...

 

[Billnpatti]

It's obvious from his workbench and tool collection that this is not his first wood carving project. I'll bet he has a LOT of previous wood carving experience. Probably building beautiful pieces of furniture. This is possibly just the first time he has carved a gun stock. But, you can bet your booties that he has carved a bunch of stuff prior to this project.....and it shows. Beautiful work! :thumbsup:

 

[Ken Cormier]

I am with Bill on this is not his first carving.l

 

[Col. Batguano]

With these long guns, you really need 2 vices don't you, as well as something else that can hold the metal parts. I like to do my metal and engraving working standing up, and finer work where I don't need the leverage (like wood carving) sitting down, so I have 2 wood vices, and a general purpose anvil-type vice that can swivel out of the way when I'm working the wood. Not ideal, but it works for me.

 

[19283]

I appreciate the compliments guys, and I'm flattered, but Scout's honor, this is my first carving/gun. If you look at my carving tools, they're all brand spanking new :grin: I am not a stranger to hand tools, such as planes, scrapers, files, and the like, but no carving tools. I just get my videos, u-tube, and books, then practice, then stop for the day and think about all the things I did wrong, and try to find solutions. As of right now, I have 5 gun making videos, and in my opinion, for carving, the best one is the Homer Dangler video that focuses on carving and engraving. I've watched it at least 5 times trying to pick up on the nuances of the craft. I have a long long way to go, but I'm off to a good start. Engraving, however, scares the snot out of me.... :grin: I'll worry about that later!

 

[Brokennock]

Which way is the muzzle in the pic of the rear sight? It looks backwards to me assuming the muzzle is pointed to the right when viewing the pic.

 

[Col. Batguano]

You may well find that getting yourself a few of the Pfeil palm chisels / gouges (they're made out of quality steel, and cost like it) will give you better control for your carving than using the bigger mallet-driven ones. Just make sure to take small slivers with each pass so as to minimize tear-out, and change cutting direction as the grain dictates. Strop and sharpen often. Good job so far.