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Take a look at my workbench (albeit cluttered). I'll explain about what you see below the pic and how I 'Make Do' so I can enjoy our hobby.
The antlers on the left are cut offs from deer hit by cars. Those antlers help me to make buttons, knife handles, antler measures, etc. So far in the last 2 months I've collected 4 additional sets and three singles (the other side was broken off). The new sets will be ready for next springs projects after drying. Just to the right is an antler measure I just finished that throws an 85 grain charge. Above those are my lead pot and some .54 and .69 caliber ball I cast for both my smoothrifle and Tulle. The lead was free from a plumber friend that pulled lead pipe out of houses. If you notice, the lead casting tools are sitting on pieces of marble. Those marble pieces are bases from trophies that someone was throwing out and I scavenged. The drilled marble holes hold the tools from rolling around, and they are perfect for holding hot tools so you don't burn the workbench. The wads are for the up- coming pheasant hunt next weekend and the rubber punch pad is actually part of a mud flap from a Semi tractor I picked up along the side of the road. The wad punch is actually an apple corer you can buy at the dollar store. (a perfect 11 or 12 gauge fit). I sharpened the end to a razor's edge and punched out the 1/4 inch felt wads with the dead blow hammer. That type of hammer helps get thru the thick felt and being it's rubber, it protects the end of the wad punch. The wooden rammer was actually the push rod that was in the corer to push out the apple core. It just happened to be a perfect fit in my 12 gauge Tulle as a short starter!! The wool felt was scavenged years ago, and the wooden bowls are extra pieces that I don't use for my rendevous encampment. The wooden bowls were a set of 8, and about 2 dollars at the thrift store. Perfect primitive ware and cheap. I just wanted to share a little piece of my buckskinner world. If you think outside the box a little, and are willing to put forth the effort, many things can be used or acquired for our hobby that cost next to nothing or are free. I don't make alot of money, so this is how I 'make do' to enjoy my hobby, and my persona as an Ohio Valley Scout and Spy for Brady's rangers, here in the Ohio Wilderness.
Ohio Rusty
The antlers on the left are cut offs from deer hit by cars. Those antlers help me to make buttons, knife handles, antler measures, etc. So far in the last 2 months I've collected 4 additional sets and three singles (the other side was broken off). The new sets will be ready for next springs projects after drying. Just to the right is an antler measure I just finished that throws an 85 grain charge. Above those are my lead pot and some .54 and .69 caliber ball I cast for both my smoothrifle and Tulle. The lead was free from a plumber friend that pulled lead pipe out of houses. If you notice, the lead casting tools are sitting on pieces of marble. Those marble pieces are bases from trophies that someone was throwing out and I scavenged. The drilled marble holes hold the tools from rolling around, and they are perfect for holding hot tools so you don't burn the workbench. The wads are for the up- coming pheasant hunt next weekend and the rubber punch pad is actually part of a mud flap from a Semi tractor I picked up along the side of the road. The wad punch is actually an apple corer you can buy at the dollar store. (a perfect 11 or 12 gauge fit). I sharpened the end to a razor's edge and punched out the 1/4 inch felt wads with the dead blow hammer. That type of hammer helps get thru the thick felt and being it's rubber, it protects the end of the wad punch. The wooden rammer was actually the push rod that was in the corer to push out the apple core. It just happened to be a perfect fit in my 12 gauge Tulle as a short starter!! The wool felt was scavenged years ago, and the wooden bowls are extra pieces that I don't use for my rendevous encampment. The wooden bowls were a set of 8, and about 2 dollars at the thrift store. Perfect primitive ware and cheap. I just wanted to share a little piece of my buckskinner world. If you think outside the box a little, and are willing to put forth the effort, many things can be used or acquired for our hobby that cost next to nothing or are free. I don't make alot of money, so this is how I 'make do' to enjoy my hobby, and my persona as an Ohio Valley Scout and Spy for Brady's rangers, here in the Ohio Wilderness.
Ohio Rusty
