Tips for newbie rifle building

[windsor]

Hello all,

I am looking to build a Lancaster style rifle during this coming winter by purchasing a kit from Track of the Wolf. While I am not new to shooting black powder, I am completely new to building guns. I've ordered two books to read and study up on to try and gain some knowledge. They are "Recreating the American Long Rifle and The Gunsmith of Grenville County." I'm hoping that these books will answer a lot of my questions, but I'm not sure on the skill set of their targetted audience. Is there a place where I could get some information on building these guns for a new builder? I am pretty good with my hands, but my biggest fear is carving. Should I even attempt carving my first gun? I am not too concerned about it being completely PC, but I wouldn't mind it being close. Is there a method that you guys use to practice carving? Any tips or websites to visit would be great. I don't want to bombard you guys with too many questions when the time comes. Thanks!! :hatsoff:

 

[mbw907]

I think maybe you should practice on some scrap wood before attempting a gunstock. Your first stock would be better if it were inletted and precarved for you. Then you could study it as you put your finish on it and go from there. But if you really want to attempt one from scratch, go slowly and study all of the things to be fitted and their locations as well as their positioning. I found that my first stock was a real challenge and one that I nearly gave up on. I was trying to make a replacement stock for a rimfire .22 rifle. It worked out. but was a real headache at first. And I had the old broken stock to copy!

 

[Birddog6]

Building a rifle correctly is more important than carving, thus learn to built right first. I have seen allot of rifles carved that were built poorly. It doesn't make them a better rifle, it makes them a poorly built carved rifle.

Learn the basics, build 4-5 of them til you build a really clean built rifle & the carving will come along a little more with each one ya build.

 

[Zonie]

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a uncarved longrifle. Getting everything nicely inletted without big gaps is much more important.

That said, I know the feeling about wanting to make something a little fancier than a totally plain gun.
With this in mind, consider installing a few inlays or perhaps a little wire inlay.
Not only can they make your rifle a "cut above average", but they will add that personal touch to the gun.

Something to think about.

Zonie

 

[Billhuntz]

Where does a guy find a left hand kit that is fairly easy to put together? I am interested in my first build as well and would prefer to start out a little easier then progress on the next one.

I'm gonna tr REALLY hard to get up to Dixon's in a coupel of weeks, I'm sure there will be a lot of help and parts available.

 

[windsor]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will do as suggested and concentrate on fit and finish as being foremost. I will probably add an inlay or two (at least that typical Lancaster star on the cheek piece). Wire inlay, huh? I always thought that would be the most difficult part of decorating a rifle! I'll have to read up on it more.

Billhuntz, check out[url] http://www.trackofthewolf.com[/url] for a great selection on kits with quality parts, etc. Also, depending on how work goes, I am going to try my best to get to Dixon's the last weekend in July for the gun builder's fair. Maybe I'll see ya there. :hatsoff:

 

[Goldhunter]

Or try here:[url] http://www.longrifles-pr.com/faqs.shtml[/url]

 

[Zonie]

Actualy, IMO, wire (ribbon) inlay is one of the easier things to do as long as the design doesn't have a crossing pattern.

Trimming the ends where they cross so there is no gap makes it a bit harder to do.

 

As Zonie our inlay master has said there are easier things you can do first like, wire, small inlays or some simple incised carving with a veiner. Here's a project an inexpensive CVA squirrel rifle I'm practicing on, both simple inlay, and incise. I'm jazzing it up for a Granddaughter, trying to make it a little more presentable than a cheap kit M/Ler,

a simple incised line squiggle by the grease hole

Laying out more squiggle, and two hearts to be inlayed

One heart inlayed almost and the squiggle cut.
When doing the inlays, after shapeing to the wood profile I super glue them on, and scribe around with a new sharp exacto blade then pop them off to start chiseling out the inlay. It give me a tighter fit than trying to cut inside of a pencil line. Start out simple and build yer skills. I'm still doing just incised carving, and have only done one C-scroll. I'm also gonna practice with Aqua-Fortis on this little gun, using Ferric Nitrate crystals, and maybe pour a nosecap Bill

 

Came across another pic of simple incised carving, I thought you might like

Bill

 

[Mike Brooks]

Actualy, IMO, wire (ribbon) inlay is one of the easier things to do as long as the design doesn't have a crossing pattern.

Trimming the ends where they cross so there is no gap makes it a bit harder to do.

Yep, wire is fun. A little bit can go a long way. A couple inlays may be a good learning experience too.