Patchbox before or after sanding?

[duelist1954]

Do you inlet your patchbox before or after you do your finish sanding?

In the past I've done mine after sanding with 100 grit paper, then I did the finer grades of paper with the patchbox and any inlays in place?

But I'd like to know the best method.

 

[kaintuck]

I like to get my wood all done...the curve on my stock needs to be 'just right'....then when the PB is curve formed, it all matches up good....

but I still touch up scrape even after PB is in place.....never finished till the LAST little wisker is done.... :youcrazy:

 

[Vaino]

I install the Pbox before finish sanding. Why?...because some filing is req'd to level the brass w/ the surrounding wood. I have never inlet a Pbox that didn't need some filing down to the wood and that's one reason why I use .062 brass. In fact, on some Pbox inletting in certain areas, I've filed the wood to match the brass.

But when the Pbox and wood are leveled, a final sanding includes both the wood and the brass. Pictured below is a Pbox that req'd both the brass and wood to be filed...especially in the wrist/butt transition area. This artistically engraved Pbox was done by Tim Adlam

 

[Lock Nut]

Beautiful engraving job. What do you use to highlight it?

 

[Vaino]

Yes...Tim certainly is a talented engraver who can adapt his engraving to my Pbox outline. The Pbox is smeared w/ 44/40 cold blue and then wiped w/ 0000 steel wool to the desired effect. The engraving is unaffected and retains the cold blue. All the brass items on all my LRs have this treatment...a slight aging......Fred

 

[Wes/Tex]

Lovely work. My congratulations! :hatsoff:

 

[kaintuck]

And nice wood on that Lancaster Fred!

 

[Vaino]

Thanks guys.....Fred