That is one of the best of these I have seen built. Great job on shaping the lock panel, that is one of the most important parts of making one of these look right!
Last edited:
Red’s Incredible Traditions Kentucky Build: Probably not what you would have done…
- Thread starter Panama Red
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
I was discussing it with my father before dinner last night. He taught me how to build balsa airplanes way back about 1969. I said that balsa was a lot easier to shape. Nice and soft a sanded easy. And cheap. If you messed it up, you are out a buck maybe. Even with this inexpensive kit, you’re still out a good chunk if you mess it up.
I’m not too worried with it though. It will be fun to look back on, as so many in here have, and say, “Yeah, that was my first build….”
My friend that makes the custom knives now, beautiful, slick, expensive…I was there when he was making his first ones. Heavy, clunky, difficult to open, or close. I grabbed three or four of these from his “trash wall”, where he stuck the mess ups. I always threaten to start posting pics of them up on the internet if he gives me crap, LOL! Point is, we all start somewhere. As long as we start, and keep moving, we will eventually get there.
-Red, waxing philosophic…
He did nail that thing, didn’t he? There are a ton of videos of guys who basically assembled the kit, slapped stain on it, and started shooting it, all rough and ugly. And then there are guys who take a basic kit, and do that bit extra that transforms it, makes it their own.
Either one is fine, I guess. To each his own, but I really like watching the guys “polish a turd” as someone commented on Phil Coffins thread. There’s just something about redeeming that which is of no, or little, value…
I have resto-modded three campers. A 1961 canned ham by Layton, a 1974 AirStream, and a 23 footer out of the 90’s. I’m working on a 1999 36’ diesel pusher motor home right now, making it our own design basically. All of them, except the pusher, we’re completely derelict and left to die. The canned ham and the Airstream I sold for some good money. The 90’s model I gave to my daughter and son-in-law. All three really get attention when you take them somewhere.
One day, I’ll do a REALLY nice build (hopefully), when I learn what I’m doing. But for now I’ll keep polishing this turd. Hoping to do like so many others on here have done. Make it nice enough that when you take it somewhere, people say “That’s a Traditions kit? Damn!”
Might not happen, but I can try.
-Red, wondering why he is up so early…
I like your style!
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2020
- Messages
- 1,664
- Reaction score
- 2,753
Thanks Trot! I had lots of good info from others on the forum!
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2020
- Messages
- 1,664
- Reaction score
- 2,753
You are correct! Wether you slim it down and embellish it or just stain it the way it came! It will shoot the same!!
Have fun with it and enjoy the process! You’ll make it shine!!
The Incredi-Build: Return of Panama Red
Day 2-
The wife has figured out what I am doing in the reloading shed. I accidentally left the door open a little too long, she walked by, and noticed the overall cleaned out/rearranged look of the shed. “Ooh, that looks nice! Wait, WHAT IS THIS???” she screeched…
I have barricaded myself in the big barn for now. I have a small supply of Gatorade and water in the barn fridge, but my food has run out.
I made a scouting run to see if I could make it to the main house last night at 0600z. The sentry, part chihuahua, part rat terrier, picked up my scent immediately and started the alarm bark. I made it back to my hide, but barely. I foolishly have left the keys to my truck hanging on the key rack inside the back door. I will wait for her to depart for her weekly game of dominoes with the girls, and make a dash for the keys.
I’m feeling weak from lack of food. It has now been an hour and a half since I have last eaten. I’m starting to hallucinate. I see things moving in the dark… It’s so cold…
-Red, in a tight spot
Day 2-
The wife has figured out what I am doing in the reloading shed. I accidentally left the door open a little too long, she walked by, and noticed the overall cleaned out/rearranged look of the shed. “Ooh, that looks nice! Wait, WHAT IS THIS???” she screeched…
I have barricaded myself in the big barn for now. I have a small supply of Gatorade and water in the barn fridge, but my food has run out.
I made a scouting run to see if I could make it to the main house last night at 0600z. The sentry, part chihuahua, part rat terrier, picked up my scent immediately and started the alarm bark. I made it back to my hide, but barely. I foolishly have left the keys to my truck hanging on the key rack inside the back door. I will wait for her to depart for her weekly game of dominoes with the girls, and make a dash for the keys.
I’m feeling weak from lack of food. It has now been an hour and a half since I have last eaten. I’m starting to hallucinate. I see things moving in the dark… It’s so cold…
-Red, in a tight spot
I built one about 18 months ago. I glued the stock halves together. It took time to fit them but time was well spent. Also, I moved the spacer to the end of the stock behind the muzzle cap. I bought a piece of beech, cut, glued, and shaped a filler. Turned out pretty good. I slimmed it down some, if I had it to do over I would take off more wood, but it's a working rifle. Have fun with your build.
Mark E. Prickett
40 Cal
36 years sober here bud. Reach out if needed!
Thanks very much! Man, I hope I live another 34.5 years, just so I can say that!
Congrats on the 36 years. Quite an accomplishment!
-Red, no more Day 1’s…
Oh, you’ll see her! In all her glory! Matter of fact, I’m betting there will be quite a few that are tired of seeing her by the time I’m done with the build, LOL!
Thanks!
davidmc62
40 Cal.
Hers an old CVA I rebuilt several years ago, hope it gives some inspiration what can be done. Inspiration, time and effort can pay off on those production rifles. Glued stock together, took off a lot of wood, faux stripe job, new trigger guard and nose cap. All the rest is CVA parts.
Attachments
I have done a bunch of guns with blo. I start the process before mounting any metal, sometimes before final inletting, the idea being that getting some oil on it prevents messy stains from anything else, and I want all of the inlet bits oiled to keep effects of moisture from getting under the metal bits. I usually warm the wood with a heat gun or hair dryer prior to applying oil with a cloth pad. One thin coat at a time, and rub it in thoroughly. Once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year. If you apply sparingly each time, it only takes a couple of days to cure. After saying all of that, I find that a Tru-oil or Tung oil finish is just as pleasing, and a lot easier.
That is beautiful! Nice work. Will be referencing this as I proceed.
Thanks!
longcruise
70 Cal.
And some will be saying or thinking "Thats a damn Traditions kit".
It won't matter what anyone says. You will have your own experience to " build" on.
You may find yourself outshooting some fancy high dollar guns. Been there, seen that.
Dicel87
32 Cal
For all those concerned about the 2 piece stock and spacer, I wonder if a full stock version Hawken stock would be a close enough match to move all the Traditions Kentucky rifle hardware over to with some minor tweaking of course.
longcruise
70 Cal.
Other than the Traditions being a sleeker, more elegant gun, they are almost identical…
-Red, stirring the puddin’…
Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
It’s got four tires and a steering wheel, must be a Mustang!
https://cfx-wp-images.imgix.net/202...=2048x2048&s=39bd2ad2467e323091b8dfffd0a0b932
