Kibler Colonial #6

[PathfinderNC]

I have started working on Colonial #6 (Kibler kit). It's also Cherry. I think I may try some new things like carving a ramrod channel molding line. There is not much wood to work with so I cant mess up and sand down to re-do it. I think I will try making a jig to run down the ramrod channel to scribe a nice straight line, and then either carve deeper into it, or else use my rifler files again.
Nonetheless, its a very enjoyable job.

 

[Ricochet]

You do great work! Looking forward to seeing it finished. I finally, after 2 years of owning and shooting my Kibler SMR, got up the nerve to add a toe plate. I want to scribe that line along the ramrod and bottom of buttstock but at this rate Ill be too old and blind to even start the job

 

[Brokennock]

I have started working on Colonial #6 (Kibler kit). It's also Cherry. I think I may try some new things like carving a ramrod channel molding line. There is not much wood to work with so I cant mess up and sand down to re-do it. I think I will try making a jig to run down the ramrod channel to scribe a nice straight line, and then either carve deeper into it, or else use my rifler files again.
Nonetheless, its a very enjoyable job.

Off to a good start. What are the specs on this gun? Caliber and such.

 

[Norman Brooks]

I have started working on Colonial #6 (Kibler kit). It's also Cherry. I think I may try some new things like carving a ramrod channel molding line. There is not much wood to work with so I cant mess up and sand down to re-do it. I think I will try making a jig to run down the ramrod channel to scribe a nice straight line, and then either carve deeper into it, or else use my rifler files again.
Nonetheless, its a very enjoyable job.

Review dave_person build...
Kibler kit assembly and carving

 

[PathfinderNC]

Off to a good start. What are the specs on this gun? Caliber and such.

Thanks- It's a .54 caliber. All the parts are provided by Kibler except the Toe plate , which I got from MBS.

 

[muzzlediscipline]

I would love to see how you actually get those lines with that blade. I have tried and failed miserably. Your work has become impeccable.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I would love to see how you actually get those lines with that blade. I have tried and failed miserably. Your work has become impeccable.

Your comment is very generous! Thanks.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I's been such a glorious Autumn here and have been enjoying the outdoors alot, but I did get a few more hours in the shop with the rifle. The butt and comb aprin (?) about done now. Next will be the lock panels.

 

[muzzlediscipline]

Wow. Wonderful understated smooth perfection. That is a class look and will become classic with time.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Wow. Wonderful understated smooth perfection. That is a class look and will become classic with time.

Thanks muzzlediscipline. I have some Cherry boards around the shop that I will start practicing some more developed scroll carvings with. So many fine examples from makers here to try to copy/emulate/learn from.

 

[JohnL]

I's been such a glorious Autumn here and have been enjoying the outdoors alot, but I did get a few more hours in the shop with the rifle. The butt and comb aprin (?) about done now. Next will be the lock panels.

That’s beautiful!! I want to learn to do that as well!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Thanks! I’m keeping the carving very simple and working on technique more, trial and error sometimes.

 

[JohnL]

Thanks! I’m keeping the carving very simple and working on technique more, trial and error sometimes.

It’s beautiful! I’ve learned much more from my mistakes and failures than from my successes with my projects.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Got a good five hours in doing the lock panels and barrel tang aprin today. Eye strain started to get to me so I'll take it back up tomorrow. I am happy with how it's coming along though.

 

[muzzlediscipline]

even in process your work is impeccable. You know how to get a good photo as well.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I finished the rifle assembly today and gave the stock several grain-raising treatments. Then I did a final 'sanding' with a fine 3M pad and mixed some water-base dyes to get a nice color. The first heavy application set a good hour (with a little help from my heat gun) and then I gave it a good rub-down with a fine 3M pad again and did another staining. It will set overnight and dry completely. I am not sure if I want to get it a deeper burgundy/brown yet. That might look very nice. At any rate, I will apply a little BLO for enhancement when the dye is dry and later finish it with several sessions of a light wiping varnish.
Here is how it looked in the white and at the end of the day.

 

[muzzlediscipline]

Nice photos and a great looking rifle. Someone is going to be very happy

 

[muzzlediscipline]

You mentioned the time you spent on carving. How much time did the carving on this one take approximately?

 

[PathfinderNC]

You mentioned the time you spent on carving. How much time did the carving on this one take approximately?

I am not really sure, somewhere north of 15 to 18 hours?

 

[muzzlediscipline]

Thanks for that it gives me some scale to measure my own efforts.