replacement wood patchbox lid

[thecapgunkid]

Mary Alice is the apple of my eye and is dead on unless I flinch or screw up the shot.

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However, I'd like to replace that patchbox lid with another piece of Walnut ( I can get the color to match)

How do I get the convex shape of a new lid...Is it all done by eye or is there a technique to it?

Thanks.

 

[50cal.cliff]

Not sure why you want to replace it but as for the matching that is hit or miss!

Matching will depend on the piece of wood and the stain!

You might get it too match the existing stock but, it will require a lot playing around to do it! The wood, stain and the finish will literately change with each and every sample you try.

So if you have the time and money you might eventually match it up. But you better write down how each sample was done! Because if and when you hit the right combination, you will be forgot how you did it! :hmm:

Matching an existing look of piece of wood used is often a very hard thing to do, IMHO and I have a long carpentry background, including furniture making!

Personally I like your gear just as it is! :thumbsup:

 

[Eric Krewson]

If I were to do it I would flatten the existing lid to the contour of the butt stock and glue on a new top thus making a two piece lid.

That way you could finish your new lid and check for a match before you glued it on.

 

[dlgraley]

I do my shaping by eye.

 

[kingsax26]

whats wrong with t he lid t hat is on it?

 

[LRB]

Do it by eye. Just take your time at it.

 

[MSW]

I agree ... since this is a one- time, one- off project, the only practical way to do it is by eye. 'sneak up on it' as Alexander says.

good luck with your project!

 

[thecapgunkid]

Thanks to all of you for the comments. I'll do it by eye with some Hail Mary's, a little help from St. Joseph the Worker and the one commodity I have to discipline myself for...patience.

There isn't anything wrong with the patchbox in and of itself. It is just not the styling I want for the overall look of the rifle.

If the replacement is not perfect, it gets tossed and we keep the original.

This is simply the product of cabin fever.

 

[bpd303]

I have used the "by eye" method to make a patch box lid that was missing. I used this as a guide, easy if time & care is taken. http://www.hootalrifleshop.org/wooden_patchbox_lid.htm

 

[LRB]

Excellent instructions. Only thing I see wrong is that the upper fit of the lid's brass plate is too deep, leaving a visible lip of the butt plate showing proud, but perhaps this was later corrected. I prefer to see them finished as shown below. One other point. Spring steel is unnecessary for the latch. The distance of movement is so little that any piece of steel will be plenty springy enough as is.