kruzer1
40 Cal.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2010
- Messages
- 201
- Reaction score
- 42
I thought I would share my journey here of my first build and how it is going.
I joined the forum a few years ago. At that time, I was just looking to build a quick kit gun and look for tips.  In comes our “Tinker2” who was kind enough to take me under wing and meet up face to face to help me. He encouraged me to push myself beyond the kits to from scratch building.
So what did I do in the last few years? I researched- a lot (well I was also busy with a move, wife, young kids, a career, and community service....).  At first I was unsure about what time period to go with. I finally settled with 16th century Spain. I am already a reenactor of that era studying sword fighting and other aspects of that period. Even though my reenactment group is anti-gun, I thought it would a good place to build since I am intrigued by that time. Also quite frankly I really don’t see a lot of people making firearms from that period/location and preferred to be a bit different. :grin:
One of my biggest hurdles was a place to build. I had a small basement workshop, but I spent most of the last year remodeling my garage into a workshop. I built a storage loft, insulated the main floor and learned drywall. Adding in a woodstove, propane heater, and air conditioner has given me a place to work year round.
Under Tinker2’s guidance I learned to use a metal lathe.  Although there are commercial barrels that work for 16th century I wanted to make a unique one not on the “market”. With some help I made my first barrel. I had so much fun I now own my own lathe. Maybe if there is interest down the line I might sell 16th century profiles.
I have been slow to learn woodcarving for my stock.  Looking at the expert craftsmanship, I was afraid of messing up. Last month after chipping away at a barrel channel for a year I dove in.  To my surprise I enjoy woodcarving and it was not as hard as I feared. But I am going slow and learning from my mistakes.
This has been an interesting journey. I was never great with woodworking or tools as a kid. Funny thing is in life not being good at something initially is not necessarily a stopping point.  Perhaps I will never create the fine works I see here but I am having tons of fun trying and learning all the same.
Lastly I think Tinker2 has created a monster. I just LOVE this hobby.  So far I have enjoyed every aspect of it.  In fact, I am gathering up supplies for four more projects staying in my time period.
So here are a few pics of where I am at. Any advice or tips on improving my build is appreciated. While Tinker2 helps me on many aspects he is a 100 miles away so much of this I am just making up/figuring out as I go.   Thanks again everyone here for the help!
I joined the forum a few years ago. At that time, I was just looking to build a quick kit gun and look for tips.  In comes our “Tinker2” who was kind enough to take me under wing and meet up face to face to help me. He encouraged me to push myself beyond the kits to from scratch building.
So what did I do in the last few years? I researched- a lot (well I was also busy with a move, wife, young kids, a career, and community service....).  At first I was unsure about what time period to go with. I finally settled with 16th century Spain. I am already a reenactor of that era studying sword fighting and other aspects of that period. Even though my reenactment group is anti-gun, I thought it would a good place to build since I am intrigued by that time. Also quite frankly I really don’t see a lot of people making firearms from that period/location and preferred to be a bit different. :grin:
One of my biggest hurdles was a place to build. I had a small basement workshop, but I spent most of the last year remodeling my garage into a workshop. I built a storage loft, insulated the main floor and learned drywall. Adding in a woodstove, propane heater, and air conditioner has given me a place to work year round.
Under Tinker2’s guidance I learned to use a metal lathe.  Although there are commercial barrels that work for 16th century I wanted to make a unique one not on the “market”. With some help I made my first barrel. I had so much fun I now own my own lathe. Maybe if there is interest down the line I might sell 16th century profiles.
I have been slow to learn woodcarving for my stock.  Looking at the expert craftsmanship, I was afraid of messing up. Last month after chipping away at a barrel channel for a year I dove in.  To my surprise I enjoy woodcarving and it was not as hard as I feared. But I am going slow and learning from my mistakes.
This has been an interesting journey. I was never great with woodworking or tools as a kid. Funny thing is in life not being good at something initially is not necessarily a stopping point.  Perhaps I will never create the fine works I see here but I am having tons of fun trying and learning all the same.
Lastly I think Tinker2 has created a monster. I just LOVE this hobby.  So far I have enjoyed every aspect of it.  In fact, I am gathering up supplies for four more projects staying in my time period.
So here are a few pics of where I am at. Any advice or tips on improving my build is appreciated. While Tinker2 helps me on many aspects he is a 100 miles away so much of this I am just making up/figuring out as I go.   Thanks again everyone here for the help!
