hidden hinge PB and rifle sights

[kaintuck]

done...lancaster update....

the sights as i am working them...TOTW small low sight, a sight from the RR spike, and a couple of sights(still needs some work) from brother Henry's metal shop....

and this is a bunch of starter sights...drilled for the cut-out....and all in-the-raw........LOTS of saw and fileing~ take about 3 hrs from this point to make one

 

[Swamp Rat]

Just an observation from a novice here. I image the hard part of working those sites are holding them. So would it be easier to leave the bar intact, drill a series of holes using a jig on your drill press, then clamp the bar in vise and work the one at the end and on down the bar? I don't know how much you could do or what steps before parting it off. But might give you a little more area to grip while working.

 

[Birddog6]

Well, I have to ask..... :idunno: why is there a gap on each side the patch box lid. If the hinge is hidden & out of the way, why the gap ?
2 ears mounted down from the stationary part of the patchbox, 2 ears mounted down from the lid, a pivot rod.... would then let you have a solid even lid ? or am I missing something ?

Keith Lisle

 

[kaintuck]

Keith,
It isn't just a flat PB....I tried something different on this one...
The opening was sliced down its center, then each end, then those two sides were folded down 90 degrees to form the left and right sides of the box.....but, as we all know, nothing is as easy as the concept
I can't get a exact 90, a small radius, so, the lid has a overlap with a inside radius to match....nice tight fit...right?
But....there has to be a small sacrifice clearance at the hinge point....
The next one will be with a simpler flat PB, then my concept will work.
I tried to sell the navy on my screen doors for submarines once....it would be great for airing out the ship after a long underwater voyage.....but they didn't like that either :idunno:

And on the sights, acer pointed out that I needed to re-drill with a round bottom bit, this gives a better looking radius....and never try to speed up your work with the dremel....it's the devils toy! :shake: :nono:
I almost had one finished, and one slip ruined it.....so, start all over.... :youcrazy:
This is a hobby.......I must remember that!
Marc

 

[Vaino]

Hi Marc....if the plates on both sides of the inlet holding the pivot pins would have been inletted flush or slightly below the vertical sides of the cavity, no clearances in the lid would have been necessary. Also the forward end of the lid should have a bevel and the same for the finial....this eliminates the gap. Otherwise, nice work.....especially the rear sights. Used to make them, but now buy. Also, why have the riveted Pbox carch on the opposite side of the lid...to miss the Pbox upper sideplate screw? Not criticizing at all..... just curious..... :grin:.....Fred

 

[kaintuck]

Ahh...Fred, your the 1st to ask about the catch stud.....the lid has a nice tight closure IF I latched on the lower side...even tho it was .03 brass, the angles and slight twist was just impossible to work down....I spent days on this design....and, will do it different with the next hidden hinge.
And, got tired of 'normal' round steel studs showing in PB lids....so this is a heart!
When the PB is engraved, it'll show up better in pictures....

And yup....one plate screw is shorter to miss the release stud....and dang.....it works with about 1/64 of a push! :grin:
Already had a fellow looking at it....and was going to try and PULL the lid open.....
I showed him the secret screw release..... :idunno:
So.....like Tip Curtis found out.....NEVER hand your work to someone without warning them...."don't be messing with things you can't fix!"
Marc

 

[Vaino]

Reminds me of the last 2 Bucks County LRs I sold....incorporated all the BC features in both including the Pbox lid release rod terminating under the toeplate. Neither buyer knew about it and both called to find out how to open the lid and here I thought they were knowledgeable asre Bucks County LRs and that's the reason they bought a BC.

At least they didn't try to pry the lid open....Fred

 

[Birddog6]

On every rifle I have built with a hidden, or not so obvious release button, Someone comments they have never seen a release like that & think it is something I invented. Button, latches & catches seem to fascinate people.
I was at the CLA show one time & a group of guys were looking at a U.E. Tenn rifle I had built. I got into a discussion with a guy about something, but still had my eye on my rifle. I notice it ends up with a guy, & he is opening the toeplate box open, close, open, close, open, close...etc. about 40-11 times. After finishing our discussion I walked over to the guy & when I came up to him, he looks at me & says "Hey, did you see this rifle ? This lil toeplate box has the coolest latch, it is so simple yet works soooo good". I told him yes, it was pretty neat, but would.. require very small toes. :idunno: He just shook his head & said "Well, it is still cool". :hmm:

Marc, I like the Heart idea on the stud. I can't believe I didn't think of it ! :idunno: By the time I beat mine to death peening it, mine would be a cloverleaf !

Keith Lisle

 

[Len Graves]

I usually have my display of rifles on a rack far enough away from thr public. If they ask I will sometimes let them handle the rifle/gun. One time a guy handed the rifle to another and while I was talking to another gent the first guy got out his pen knife and started prying the lid open. It took me several hours to fix. He didn't apologize he said "you should have said something" which I did and he was standing right there. My fault I guess,but I am more careful now.

 

[kaintuck]

Len,
Should of followed him out to his car.....pen knife to the trunk..... :haha: :stir:

Tip has one nice PB on a rifle.....with engraving....so hamfisted guy DID pry it open :shocked2:

Now I have 2 things to ask a newbie.....
1. Are your hands clean?
2. Don't do ANYTHING but hold it....unless you give me a $$$ deposit... :slap:

Keith, I can't even take credit for that stud design thing...the smarter one in the house thought of it.....maybe next, will be a turtle?
Marc