steel cheek inlay

[Dillon614]

looking to install steel cheek inlay on southern style flintlock which is in process.
what is the best (traditional) way to secure this?

 

[Black Hand]

Small nails and/or screws - depending on the type of inlay and type of gun.

 

[Dillon614]

should nails or screws be countersunk and filed flush or left exposed?

 

[Black Hand]

The nails are usually countersunk and filed flush. Screw holes are countersunk and the screw installed flush with the surface.

Please find some pictures of the gun your are building and see how inlays were traditionally installed. Installation will vary between gun types and schools.

There are many builders that post who may be able to give you more specific details.

 

[Dillon614]

thanks for your help

 

[Vaino]

Although the "star" on this Bucks County is sterling silver, the center screw is ctsk , but is an oval headed screw which doesn't interfere at all. Because of the stiffness of the .060 thick silver, one screw is quite sufficient and seeing a steel star would be even more stiff, the one screw would do the job.....Fred

 

[Dillon614]

beautiful rifle.
thanks for the help

 

[Billnpatti]

That is one gorgeous rifle. The engraving is absolutely beautiful. But what I am most impressed with is the magnificient carving on the stock. Such artistic ability just boggles my mind. Did you do it?

 

[Vaino]

Yes...I do a good job of faking being an artist. Nearly anyone can do this and I'm fortunate that some buyers do like my work....Fred

 

[user 922]

Nonsense! It takes a lot of time and talent to achieve the level of design and execution that you show in your work.

 

[Vaino]

Thanks Eric. The design of carving has always been difficult for me...I use a lot of erasers......Fred

 

[jerrywh]

Hey flehto, that is a pretty nice looking rifle there. I would be proud of that.

 

[Vaino]

Thanks for the kind words....it's not in the same class as most of your work, but then very few are. You're truly a top notch artist and gun builder.....Fred

 

[54ball]

Here is what I did to my practice rifle with some rusty nails. The tapered nails hold and simply need filing.

 

[Onojutta]

I use little tacks from the local hardware store (I think they are 18 gauge). I pre-drilled the inlay, make a tiny countersink, carefully hammer in the tacks, then file the head of the tack down flush with the inlay. I really don't know how traditional that method is, but it has worked fine and looks the part.

Silver wire might be a bit more PC. The Gunsmith of Grenville County book explains a procedure to form a head on the wire to use that method. Some even glue or epoxy the inlay in addition to mechanical fasteners, but probably not necessary.

Screws are common and traditional too, as shown on flehto's rifle, but I've never shot a rifle with screws in the cheekpiece and was worried they might irritate my cheek.

On the rifle shown below, I did final fitting before finishing up the stock, and installed the tacks as a very last step before staining so I didn't bugger up the inlay while finishing up the surrounding stock. I then filed the inlay perfectly flush with the stock at the same time as filing down the heads. This cause some shading or "staining" of the surrounding wood with the silver shavings that I wasn't able to remove 100% by sanding, but once the stain was applied it all disappeared.





PS - Is anyone else jealously irritated by flehto's modesty??
:grin:

 

[Billnpatti]

Yes, flehto is a very modest man. But when you are that good, your work speaks for itself and needs no verbal embellishment. :thumbsup:

Braggadocio is the crutch for the insecure. :hmm:

 

[Pete G]

PS - Is anyone else jealously irritated by flehto's modesty??
:grin:

No. I admire him for it. :hmm: