First build

[Mike Spaulding]

Hi all,

I'm sure this kind of question is asked here all the time, but I've just been looking around for a rifle to build this year for next fall. This will be my first build, so at first I was thinking a Traditions or Lyman, but I'm REALLY partial to the Sitting Fox K45 Southern Mountain Poor Boy.. I'm just nervous even though this is an "easy" kit, it may be too much for me.. how much more difficult is a kit of this make compared to a Traditions? I've not had a ton of woodworking experience honestly, but the stock looks like it's pretty well shaped, and I'm thinking I'm going to have Sitting Fox do the inletting to simplify.. I guess, do you guys think this is something a beginner in both gun building AND wood working could tackle or am I proabably in over my head and trying to start too big?

thanks for the honest opinions!!

-Mike

 

[rafterob]

Do you have good patience? Can you follow directions well? If you answered yes to these two questions, you can get it done with all the help you'll find here. If you have little woodworking experience it is good to practice techniques on a scrap piece of wood before you attack the stock. You may need to use some chisels and wood rasps. If you order it pre-carved and inlet there will be a minimum of that type of work.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Nobody can tell you what to build, that is your decision.
Track of the Wolf has a kit they call their easiest, the Golden Age long rifle.
When I built my first one, I just dove right in. Get a book on building, I think the best in my opinion, that are in print, are "Recreating the Kentucky Rifle", by William Buchele and edited by George Shumway, or "Building the Kentucky Rifle" by Chuck DIxon.
You will make mistakes, but in my case it's part of the learning.
There are many folks here that have much knowledge and seem to be willing to share it.

 

[Zonie]

The kits from Traditions and Lyman are basically factory made guns with all of the holes drilled and tapped in the right places.
The stocks are almost finished except they need sanding and some sort of oil finish.

The barrels and steel parts may need to have some sort of finish applied and the brass parts may need a bit of polishing.

There is sometimes a need to do a little wood cutting to make a part fit just right but many of them are almost a "fall together" kit.

You will need a couple of screw drivers, sandpaper and a hobby knife with a pointed blade. A electric drill can be handy.

Figure on having to spend 10-20 hours to finish one of these.

The "kits" from all of the places like Track of the Wolf, Pecatonica River, etc are more like a box of rough cast parts and a roughly shaped stock with the barrel channel cut and the ramrod hole drilled.
The lock will be almost finished but the holes for the screws that hold it in the stock do not exist.

You will have to locate, drill and thread all screw holes, finish the mortice for the lock, install the ramrod thimbles, cut and shape the stock for the butt plate, inlet the patchbox and sideplate, carve the wood to fit the nosecap and install it, cut the dovetails for the sights and underlugs, install the breech plug, reshape the wood so it looks like the originals, sand and finish the stocks wood and blue/brown the barrel.

You will need wood chisels, flat metal cutting files, an electric drill with drill bits and at least 2 taps to cut the threads.
A hobby knife with a pointed blade is almost a must have along with screw drivers.
Inletting black or lipstick will be needed to make sure the parts are installed properly.
A measuring device like a dial caliper is very handy.

Figure on spending at least 130 hours to do this. Many people take as much as 180 hours if they add carving and inlays to the gun.

 

[MSW]

I agree with Mike... my first build was a Track 'kit' which i discovered to be much more a collection of interrelated of parts than a 'kit' in the model airplane sense. you will need to do a bunch more work with the Track kit, but your efforts will be well rewarded.

If you can find a copy, get The Gunsmith of Grenville County by Peter Alexander. I am given to understand that this book is out of print, but it's well worth the money in parts you don't ruin (and time you don't waste) and there are a number of really great explainations of how things are supposed to work, and why you should do various sub- tasks in the order he recommends, Additionally, you should check out American Pioneer video, which has some good DVDs on how to make all manner of muzzleloading stuff.

This website, by the way, will give you access to some of the most talented builders going. (myself not included; by way of disclaimer, the most flattering thing you need say about my work is that my guns are safe to shoot, unless you overload them).

You should also be aware that tis is your first, but most certainly not your last build. there is no twelve step recovery program. there- can't say you weren't warned ... after a while, you'll be getting all excited about sharp rocks, and worrying about lock geometry in those boring business meetings...

good luck with your build!

 

[bigbuckdn]

I jumped in and built without a kit buying parts as I went and i made a host of mistakes all of which i was able to fix there is a small flaw or two but no big deal 1 problem remains that i would fix down the road.
the kits from track of the wolf or such will be a much better finished product than traditions or lyman I did a cva years ago you assemble it thasts it.

If you opt for a kit from a place like track of the wolf I suggest you have the breach plug installed some of there kits have the lock fitted
I would also go with one like that I did not it was a bit more than i thought and mistakes were made had to fix them

good luck and ask questions here very good people here to help you

 

[Mike Spaulding]

Thank you all for your replies! I'm going to go for it then.. I'm looking at track of the wolf as well, and the Leman has caught my eye as well now.. I ordered my inletting chisels from them and some files and the book recommended earlier as well ("the modern kentucky rifle"). I actually have an old rifle my father in law gave me that needs a lot of TLC which I'll start with so I get a feel for some of the procedures required to pull this off so I figure that is a good place to start. Hopefully I can get started on whatever "kit" I choose in January. I'll keep you all posted! thanks again guys!

-Mike

 

[bigbuckdn]

good luck to you and I hope you don't but when or if you make mistakes just ask me I probaly made the same one on my first build i just finished
might know how to fix it some i got my answers here some i fig on my own felt to stupid to ask

 

[Mike Spaulding]

I'm sure it is going to be a "when" I make a mistake and I will most certainly take your offer up Chuck and ask :grin: . I'm really loving this site, so many nice folks and all willing to offer their knowledge.. it can be a tough thing to find now a days and it's very much appreciated. thanks to all! Can't wait to get started now!

-Mike

 

[bigbuckdn]

I messed up on dove tails (used oversized sights)
i went to deep into the stock on the breach end (had to bed the area)
i missed when drilling a pin hole for ramrod pipe
had an extra hole ( covered it with an inlay)
while doing the nose cone I took a sliver 8'' long on the top of the stock (put a small drop in the last 10'' of stock)
I messed up on the breach plug (it will be safe and i am going to shoot it for now but i have 2 ways to fix it and will probaly fix it down the road) just have the plug installed when you get the kit
I had a few small little mistakes that were easily fixed.
I had 120 hours that i kept track of also had time that i never wrote down filing here or there sanding rubbing oil

now I can't wait to build number 2 as soon as I can afford to buy the parts

 

[Old Salt]

A kit from Sitting Fox will be an equal challenge as a kit from the other suppliers. Even with a pre inlet kit you might find a few areas that need attention.

If the barrel lugs are attached and pre inlet that will save some work.

I built one kit from Sitting Fox. If you talk to Ray about your level of experience he might have one or two recommendations to help you along.

If you have any doubt about any step then ask for help. Make sure you understand what needs to happen with regards to clearances, bolt locations and touch hole location.

Take your time, think long and hard, and enjoy the project.

Leo

 

[Mike Spaulding]

All,

Thanks for all the advice! I talked to Ray at Sitting Fox today, and sent my MO for a K43 Southern Mountain Poor Boy! I'm having them inlet the lock for me as well as cut the dovetails for the sights, install the barrel lugs, and install the breech plug. I'll let you all know once it gets to me and how things are going. Thank you all for your offers of help, I WILL be taking you up on it! :wink:

-Mike