From scratch

[bulletman]

I have some metal machines, Any one know where to get life size plans of locks and such ?...also what type of metal should be used for a lock ? flint lock parts.

 

[albert]

The Track of the Wolf catalog has lifesize pix of almost all the popular locks in it.Depending on what part that you want to build will determine what type of steel that you use,for lockplates I use 4140 for tumblers and sears, I use either A-2 or S-7, for springs you would want one of the spring steel grades like 1095 Brownells have a selection of spring stock that would work for you.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Home/default.aspx

 

[B.Habermehl]

Chambers uses O-1 for their sears and tumblers. A cast alloy funcionally the same as 4140 for the lock plate and pan. 10-95 for the frizzens. For hand forged springs 10-95 or 10 -70 will work fine. For your lock plate and pan. 10-18 case hardened would work as well or better. Hope this helps

 

[C_Laubach]

Low carbon steel for everything except for the springs and the frizzen. 1095-1075 or 5160 for springs and the frizzen. Case harden the low carbon parts once you have finished and polished the completed lock.
If you are going to hand forge a lock than I would recommend wrought iron. But you will need to learn how to forge the cock so that the grain in the iron flows with the shape of the cock or it may break in the neck area.
There are a lot of different metals that can be used you just have to find which ones you like to work.
The original locks for the most part where Wrought Iron.

 

[Redleg130th]

I don't know your level of knowledge, but mine is zero. Right now I am a computer guy wanting to build military smoothbores. I have found that I can afford the machines to build all the parts but the barrel. It appears that the Getz barrel making company can supply these for a reasonable price. All other parts I am going to attempt to build myself. Here is the resources I have collected so far on building.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1566375436/qid=1098519859/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-3635687-6641454?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

This book looks like it would be a good place to start, and a good reference for a number of projects. I plan on getting this book to understand steels at a basic level. Should be good reading anyway until I get home where I can start some gunmaking projects.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0785803955/ref=pd_sim_books_1/103-3635687-6641454?v=glance&s=books

This book has a section on flintlocks, looks like a good one as well. Not very expensive.

http://www.historic-triangle.com/Publications/videos/index.cfm?ItemId=33&SubCatID=23

Gunsmith of Willimasburg was suggested to me, I think it would depict an overall view of basic techniques, I doubt it has specific information. I am getting this though, it was recommended and it looks interesting.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partList.aspx?catID=14&subID=170&styleID=777

Most of the books from the building section of TOTW I will get for reference. I have heard the Gunsmith of Greenville County recomended in several places. Plus the other selections look perfect for what I am looking for.

Can someone review this list and recomend anything different?