New Rifling Bench

[Bookie]

Here is a photo of my newest rifler under construction. So far, the cost for all new materials is less than $40 and labor to date is 26 hours. Have the handles affixed this morning. Need to chisel the grooves next week, install the guide tooth, and make two clamps. It'll have 7 right hand grooves and a 1-56 twist. Plan on copying an original Sheetz barrel. Cheers, Bookie

 

[davy]

Looks like a beaut Bookie! :hmm: :bow:

Davy

 

[Larry Pletcher]

Is this the one like in your book? I bought a copy at Friendship, thinking of making one this winter. I have a wood lathe, but it doesn't have the extension to the ways as you describe. I'm too far away to drive over and pull on your rifling bench for an afternoon, but wish I could.

Regards,
Pletch
Indiana

 

[Bookie]

Thanks for the compliments, Gents. Yes, the bench is like the one you mention. This one is being made for a film early next year. Been double checking the dimensions spelled out in the book and have made a few corrections plus some improvements. Anyone who wishes to use one of my riflers is welcome to drop in and have a go. Cheers, Bookie

 

[C_Laubach]

Yep, the barrel has been forged. :grin:


Chris Laubach

 

[Bookie]

Anyone who uses the word "yep" is good in my book! :grin: Bookie

 

[greg zechman]

bookie...in the earlier post it stated that you have a book..where do you get this book at..? thanks bugsy

 

[Bookie]

Advertising on the Forum is strictly regulated and I have no desire to intentionally breach the rules. Send me an email if you'd like. Cheers, Bookie

 

[greg zechman]

bookie.......pm sent..thanks

 

[davy]

Well here Bookies website link .. great info there! :thumbsup:
[url] http://www.midiowa.com/toadhallrifleshop/[/url]

Davy

 

[Zonie]

Just as a point of clarification, there are NO rules on this forum which say you cannot give a reference to a supplier or source of parts or books as long as that source is not YOU.

In other words, I can tell folks that they can get some really neat books directly from Mr Shumway. I can even give his web site address.
The same rule applies to my saying "Fred Madeit sells really good XXXX."

I cannot say "Contact me, Zonie for some very nice Pennsylvania Rifles." or "I'll let you have a nice XXXXX for $50.".

zonie

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Zonie, I don't know what a XXXXX is, but $50 seems a very reasonable price for one. In fact, I'll take a dozen... :rotf:

 

[Bookie]

If those may possibly be Las Vegas female gunsmith "apprentices" on call, I'll take a dozen myself! :haha: Bookie

 

[davy]

If those may possibly be Las Vegas female gunsmith "apprentices" on call, I'll take a dozen myself! :haha: Bookie

Yessir when it comes to Bookie's female apprentices ... well ...
lets just say we've seen his work afore ... heza mitey willin boy! :shocked2: :hmm: :grin:

Davy

 

[BillinOregon]

Bookie: Wish to heck Corn Patch, Iowa, were a lot closer to Oregon. That is a beautiful bench. Somewhere I have that book on Appalachian gunsmiths with photos of a little old mountain grandma hand whittling the spiral into a rifling bench rod. I;m sure you've seen it. Very inspiring.

 

[davy]

Wall I dunno ... but I sure would like ta them ladies whittlin on my rifle bench spar! :hmm: :shocked2: rotf:

Davy :

 

[Bookie]

GROAN!! :winking: Bookie

 

[Bookie]

I agree, Bill. Mary's photos are inspiring. Just goes to show that a person armed with desire CAN make dreams come true. I figured that if she could do it, so could I. Just took a lot of time to come up with a design that I could be proud of....and that would work! :grin: Laid out the grooves for the worm today and will be chiseling them into place this evening. Will post a photo after the grooves run free with the guide tooth installed. Cheers, Bookie

 

[davy]

I agree, Bill. Mary's photos are inspiring. Just goes to show that a person armed with desire CAN make dreams come true. I figured that if she could do it, so could I. Just took a lot of time to come up with a design that I could be proud of....and that would work! :grin: Laid out the grooves for the worm today and will be chiseling them into place this evening. Will post a photo after the grooves run free with the guide tooth installed. Cheers, Bookie

Bookie

Just curious ... excuse my ignorance here but ..about the accuracy of the grooves being hand cut, the concentric alignment of the multiple matching grooves? Ever had any issues with that and the gun barrel accuracy ?

Davy

 

[Bookie]

Hi Davy! Your question asks if I have any issues with the grooves I cut by hand not being concentric. If I can place 5 shots at 50 yards in less than the diameter of a quarter dollar, I guess the answer would be a NO. Hacker Martin didn't feel that a rifler with less than 1/8" play or slop was bad yet, so if you follow those teachings, I have absolutely no issue. The old timers didn't have duplicarvers and high-tech machinery to do this job for them and it's my belief that no one else does either (when it comes to rifling). I will pit one of my barrels against any other makers barrel at any time. Guess you can say that I believe what I'm doing is O.K. :haha: Cheers, Bookie