Getting started

[mikesto44]

Pearl drum like others have said you don't need a lot.
I have a 1/4 inch, 1/8 gouge and the same in chisel s.
Plus a wood block hammer for lightly tapping a chisel when needed. Like you the Kiblers just don't leave me with enough challenge. But dang they sure do turn out nice.
After I built a couple of guns from scratch. I bought the late Hershel House gun building CD. It was an eye opener to how little tools you really need to build a gun. Cheers an have fun..!

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have two small chisels coming my way and I stopped at my buddies shop and grabbed some old walnut and maple stock pieces to practice on. I'm going to dismantle a TC lock and use it as template to start my inletting journey. Again, thanks for all the tips guys.

 

[longcruise]

Bought two of these chisels. You supply or make your own handles. So.far their only limitation is my poor sharpening skills.

https://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/mbs3cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=7010909.12008&product=Tools

 

[Eric Krewson]

Don't know if you have a lathe, these carving mallets are easy to make out of any scrap wood, again very addictive. They come in handy for precise wood removal from the bottom of inlets. I make big ones, little ones, heavy ones and light ones. I tried a piece of sweet gum fire wood for this one, very light and cracked as the wood dried, I filled the cracks with superglue and it works just fine.

Walnut from a long dead sapling I found in the woods.

Both of my granddaughters got into making them as well. This one is from curly maple scrap.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have no lathe, Eric. Its one of the few power tools I don't have. I do have a few 4x36 belt sanders and can make round stuff on it. Not perfectly round. But, good enough for a mallet.

 

[waksupi]

Most anything will work for a mallet. Mine is more square, with rounded edges. These are all of the chisels and turn screws I use when building guns. If I need something different, I make it.

 

[Eric Krewson]

For tool ferrules, a 1/2" copper connector cut in half, like in the picture above shows, is the way to go, you will have pennies in them instead of dollars like the actual brass ones cost.

 

[reddogge]

For a mallet I use an ancient plastic headed hammer.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I made the long haul to the only specialty wood shop around me. Bought two each small chisels and gouges. Two Cherries brand. They had a perfectly clean, flat sawn hard maple plank in the rack. So I bought that as well. 2x9x64, I should be able to get (ruin) two stocks from it . The pic is my first attempt inletting. It’s hickory and a boning knife. Two pith tear outs and two my fault tear outs. I’ll get it eventually.

 

[CuNosecap]

Good start and TwoCherries is a good choice. Best wishes.
I trust you have also invested in a couple of the necessary books for when you need direction?

 

[deerstalkert]

you have all the chisel info needed. the other tool no one has mentioned is a scraper. can be made or purchased.
I get mine from "gasp" harbor freight. i bought a half dozen because they are cheap and you never know if HF will have them next time you are there.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I don’t have any books. Yet. I’m slowly getting everything around. I have all kinds of scrapers. But, nothing like that style. I’ll get one ordered.

 

[CuNosecap]

Two best starter books (IMO): The Gunsmith of Greenville County, and Recreating the American Longrifle.