Realistic time to build a kit?

[Contrarian View]

So far my top choice for a rifle is to build an Isaac Haines kit (LH) from Jim Chambers. I have some woodworking skills, but not carving. Is it realistic for me to try building this? How many hours should I plan for it to take?

Thanks.

 

[EC121]

There are a lot of variables. It will take as long as it takes. A "kit" is just a collection of parts that don't need to be bought separately. Depends on what you want it to look like. You could throw it together in rough form in 10 hrs., but it would look like it. I can spend a day getting the gaps out of a buttplate that someone else would just put the screws in and fill the gaps with stained epoxy. Polishing metal can take a while. You can polish the lock or leave it as cast. I like building as an end activity in itself. Not just to get a gun ready to shoot. As a first build I would go for clean assembly and a good finish. Then you have a shooter and will be able to take your time on the second build. Unless you are braver than me(I am happy with a clean assembly.), carving and engraving can come with the second build.

 

[Vaino]

Chambers' "kits" are first rate and after building 3 of his Early Lancasters and encountering very few errors, came to the conclusion that his "kits" are doable by beginners.

Wouldn't concern myself w/ the time to complete your Isaac Haines "kit"....just work to the best of your ability and whatever embellishments you intend to add, consider that many first time builders don't carve the stock....because poor carving detracts from the rifle instead of adding value and aesthetics.

Good luck on your Isaac Haines....Fred

 

[necchi]

How many hours should I plan for it to take?

100-150hrs.

 

[Ames]

And enjoy every hour of it!

 

[Micah Clark]

I am building a TVM kit . .my first . . it's 100 hours w/o a doubt . . but my builder coach who is helping me, uses Jim Chambers kits. they do more than most other kits. . though TVM and others inlet the barrel, the lock, the triggers and rough cut the butt plate and drill the ramrod track. . . Chambers also inlets the side plate and the ramrod thimbles. It took me a good 3 hours to inlet the rear thimble alone. Chambers shapes more of the stock, too it seems . . thus i can see why his brochure says 30 hours to complete . Chambers cost more too, but this is why, plus JC uses premium maple.

 

[MSW]

I would 'budget' 150 to 300 hours.

why the big range? ' cause if you're a nit picking detail maniac (as I am) you'll want every little thing to be just so, whereas if you're more laid back, and you can live with the fact that the draw filing on the bottom flat isn't perfect, it will go faster.

by the way, if you have not already done so, you should purchase The Gunsmith of Grenville County, by Peter Alexander. A bit spendy, but it will save you more than the purchase price in parts you don't mess up because you did something in the wrong order. and you'll have it for next build (yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause, and there will be a 'next build').

here's a link:https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/321/1/BOOK-GGC

good luck with your build - send in pictures ... we love pictures :grin:

 

[Ames]

Looks like Chambers uses "premium maple" for an up charge. Unless I missed something.

 

[nhmoose]

Triple the advertised times on any kit worked for me now I do more as fingers don't work well with arthritis and diabetes nerve damage but still keep at it.

 

[galamb]

The first time I breeched a barrel that took me about 20 hours - I was so worried about doing it wrong that I think I miked the plug after every light stroke of the file.

Now it takes an hour if I stop for a coffee break a couple time during the process.

Likewise, the first couple of butt plates I installed took "many" 5 or 6 hour evenings - then I found how to "custom fit" that last little gap with a "hammer"

The time will also depend on what you have available for tools. A precarved kit does have much of the work done for you, but you could still piddle around for quite a few hours with an exacto knife when a dremel would make it a 5 minute job (but could turn into a many hour job if there is an "ooops").

As most have suggested, if you are "confident" and possess at least some skill (with wood/metal), 100 to 150 hours is probably realistic.

Unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way which is why some/many kits go "unfinished" for years.

Be realistic as to how much time you can spend on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. If it will sit for weeks until you can get at it again it will take "more hours" than if you can spend a couple hours "regularly" - because if it's hit/miss you will spend time reorienting yourself with "where your at", you might forget that you needed to do "this next" and end up back-tracking etc.

So if you are looking to have your rifle by say 1 September, can you spend 10 "uninterrupted" hours a week on your build between now and then?

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hi,
Things to consider:
Tools....do you have enough? About $12,000 worth, I think.
Band Aids ( big box )
Seriously, you need some medium and small chisels. Also a method of sharpening your chisels. You can't work with dull chisels.
A wooden mallet helps a lot with the chisels ( more control than a hammer, and safer than pushing ) you can make one easily. A good hardwood chair leg ( round ) makes a good one. Shorten it though! ( about 10" )
Course, medium and fine files, also a set of needle files are helpful.
Another great aid is a round rat tailed file for contours.
A good solid wood vise and a bench vise.
Depending on your age and eyesight, lighting and magnifier.
Most of all enjoy the journey ( that is the secret! )
If you are in a hurry, you can do it in about twenty hours. After you have screwed it up, you can save some of the parts, buy a new kit, and start over again, learning from your mistakes from being in a hurry.
Does that help?
Most important get one or two of the great books available on making these guns.
They are very informative and great reading as well.
Last but not least......ask lots of questions.
Best of luck!
Fred

 

[fleener]

lot of good advice given.

In addition to the number of hours, it could take you a year or more, just depends on how hard you get after it and not lose your desire to work on it.

Fleener

 

[tenngun]

I did a NWG from a kit a few years ago. Just for fun I kept a record of my time, it was 100 hours from star till my first coat of oil. This is about the easiest type of long gun to build. Cheops law rules gunbuilders,well aided by Murphy.

 

[Black Hand]

So far my top choice for a rifle is to build an Isaac Haines kit (LH) from Jim Chambers. I have some woodworking skills, but not carving. Is it realistic for me to try building this? How many hours should I plan for it to take?

Thanks.

About 80-120 hours (or more). Of course, this is very much dependent upon your level of skill.

 

[Vaino]

Somehow I wonder why hours are even discussed when contemplating a parts set build. It's done when it's done.

After completing my first build, went to TOW for an estimate as to its value. While there, my conversation w/ Dave Ripplinger the owner, was interrupted by a very proud first time builder presenting his completed first attempt at building a TOW parts set. Although Dave was hesitant to give him a value because he might have to buy it at the price he quoted, he did give a realistic value that was less than the "kit" price. Needless to say, the first time builder became angered and "stormed" out of TOW.

Dave then told me that this occurrence wasn't out of the ordinary and the reason for the quoted low value was "that it reeked w/ impatience and if the builder would have spent a little more time w/ each operation, the value would have been higher"



Had a friend who bought one of my builds and seeing he was a CPA, always asked me "how many hours did it take?" I never gave him an answer.

I usually build from a blank and seeing my livelihood isn't dependent on the selling price, I don't keep track of the hours....why put a time on an enjoyable past time?

Impatience shouldn't be a part of a "build" and if it is, it will show in the final product......resulting in a lower value and displaying impatience on the part of the builder.....Fred

 

[JohnN]

That first one you just can't wait to see it done. My advice would be to take as much time as you need to do it right. Once you remove wood and metal it's hard to put it back. Enjoy the process of doing something for yourself and never be afraid to ask questions here, I have received much great advice.

 

[Zonie]

Somehow I wonder why hours are even discussed when contemplating a parts set build. It's done when it's done....

I always mention the number of hours to new builders because I think it's only fair to let them know what their getting into.

There are a lot of people who have rushed thru putting together one of the regular factory "kits" (which actually are rather kit like) and think, "I'll whip out one of those more custom guns from TOTW. Can't be much more than what I just did."

Then, there are the younger "instant gratification" people who lose interest as soon as they realize finishing the gun will take over 100 hours of actual work.

These people need to know what's ahead if they buy one of these "kits".

I also always mention that they will need to have some experience in wood working, metal working and accurate layout if they want to end up with something that is worth the cost of the parts.

 

[Vaino]

Forgot about that aspect....just thought that putting an hour amount on a build would cause some impatience. To be sure, a beginner should be aware that a parts set isn't at all like a factory kit as far as the hrs and skills needed. . Good point....Fred

 

[kaintuck]

I look at a nice straight red maple tree and see a rifle... :shocked2:

My term kit, is way different than other people's......ahahahahahaaaaaaa.

Marc n tomtom

 

[Pete G]

Be aware that as you approach the end (final shaping, staining and finishing)that even though you are getting anxious to see what it will look like, this is the part that will show. Take what you think is the ready to stain rifle and sit down with a pencil and a strong side light. It can be surprising how many defects you can find after you think that you are finished. Circle these places with the pencil so you can give them further attention. You might even do this more than once.