Ne'err be afeared to DIY!!

[Mad Irish Jack]

Everything I'm wearing I made except the glasses which are documented originals at 1803 to 1805. I also made the lantern, chair and table.

The shooting bag and green tam were prizes won in shooting matches at rendezvous. Everything else I made.

These are my Ft Ligonier pack boots made from a pattern I got from the Ft Ligonier historical archives in Ligonier PA. I also made a summer pair, I have the pattern and construction directions. If you want a copy, send me an email or PM with your addy & I'll e-mail them to you. I built two other pair for Friends. They are twenty-seven years old and still going strong.

These are detail photo close ups of my Early Lancaster .54 cal I built back in 1994.

These are MY guns (Early Lancaster .54 cal and my Tulle .69 cal/ 20 ga. I finished both from the white. There are NO OTHERS like them. They're oneof a kinds. Everything you build using you design and quirks, are one of a Kind...originals!

This is an Early (Full Stock) Hawken I built using some documented original parts in its' construction. I built it in 1991 and sold it in 1995.


I don't consider myself a master craftsman at any of these crafts. But, I was told by a grey beard in 1978, when I started in MLing; "Back in the period, one built or made anything they could for themselves. Then you traded what you can do for that which you cannot. Then, as a last resort, buy only what you must." Also, "You never know what you can do until you try to do it."
I took this to heart and have built/made/sewn about 90-95% of everything I have. Everyone should TRY to DIY. There's a lot more pride in it and your first item made is never as nice as the last one you've done. You get better with practice. You can always practice on scrap items before you try on the good stuff. If you're lucky, you might find someone who might be willing to mentor you in some craft. So, don't be afeared to give anything a try.

 

[TinStar]

You are spot on! Half the fun of all this is making your own stuff. :hatsoff:

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[wattlebuster]

I like all your gear Jack :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[MSW]

nice looking gear ... the coolest tools are the ones you make yourself!

 

[BrownBear]

"Back in the period, one built or made anything they could for themselves. Then you traded what you can do for that which you cannot. Then, as a last resort, buy only what you must."

I think the whole DIY approach died a generation or two back. My granddad made as much of his own as he could (Born 1898- died 1960), but my dad (Born 1928- died 1990) made almost nothing for some reason- He was the ultimate consumer and even shamed a little by homemade. Lotta folks that experienced the Depression came away feeling the same. Thankfully I fell under the sway of my granddad.

There is absolutely no feeling in the world like taking game with stuff you've made yourself. I take great pride even in the smallest doe, when shot with rifle, ball, patch, lube, flint, bag, horn, ball block, knife made by yours truly. They're not showpieces, but they certainly represent the spirit of the age I think. No venture into clothing yet, but maybe some day.

 

[Silex]

I like your gear! :hatsoff:


Silex

 

[Flint311]

Couldn't agree more! Nice work on the items. Mine don't always turn out so well, but give a reason to try again... thanks for the pics!

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

I decided to post the pattern and notes for those that want them. They can be copied and pasted to your computer and then print them out for yourself. It will be in The Craftsman under "Ft. Ligonier Mocs/Pacs" :hatsoff:

 

[smo]

Thanks Jack :thumbsup: You have some very nice items in your kit. :bow: :hatsoff:

 

[tenngun]

Good looking stuff. Yes we should do it our selfs as pat of this hobby. I've always lived by the rule that if one man can do it another man can do it

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

Basically what my greybeard friend said, and I'm paraphrasing, was: You should make or try to make everything you can. You make extra of what quality items you can to trade for what you can't make but want or need. But only as a last resort, should you spend your hard earned cash. Make your hobby support itself.
For a lot of years I'd go to rendezvous at no cost financially to me. I'd shoot well enough to win nice prizes and sometimes it was next years fees. If you contact the rendezvous staff, you can sometimes pay for your fees with what nice accoutraments and items you can make, for them to give as prizes. I made my hobby support my hobby. I wasn't trying to make a living or be a trader/vender, but rather get from event to event as my persona would have done to survive the times. :idunno:

 

[BadHeart]

Great looking stuff. It seems that making your own stuff is a lot more satisfying.