TOTW Lancaster kit

[chawbeef]

This is one of the kits I am looking at to put together and am wondering if anyone here has built one. Looking for opinions on quality of the product, pros and cons. Any answers thru PMs will be kept confidential. Thanks..................Daniel

 

[Dane]

My opinion only!
I've built a couple of dozen Chambers kits.....far superior to the generic kits from Track.
Especially if it's your first, spend the difference. You'll be glad you did.

 

[scotsman]

I had never built a gun and bought a Chambers early Lancaster kit. I also bought the DVD on "how to". I went at it real slow, practiced chisel work on scrap pieces of curly maple and then put together and carved my gun. It turned out just fine....much to my surprise! cheers

 

[chawbeef]

Thank you Dane and Trapper Tom. I will look into the Chambers kit. Also Trapper Tom, I see you are from Ontario. I may have some more questions for you if you don,t mind..............Daniel

 

[mahkagari]

Where is this DVD for sale? I'm working through my Pecatonica kit and occasionally I could just use a visual. I've got this forum, Youtube, and my Dixon book, but can always use more.

 

[MSW]

there a bunch of DVDs and video out there, most of them quite good. My personal favorite is The Gunsmith of Grenville County, by Peter Alexander, which is available from Track of the Wolf... it seems like rather an extravagance, but you will more than save its cost in parts you don't ruin.

I built a Southern Mountain 'kit' some years ago for my wife's Christmas present. Be aware that these are not a tab-A-into-slot-B affair: there is a boatload more work involved.

If you're not already there, you need to get your knives and chisels to be sharp enough to do neurosurgery. Dull tools are hazardous- I have the scars to remind me of the sloppiness of my youth. (then there was this tank breechblock, but that's another story)

good luck with your project!

 

[Crewdawg445]

Built multiple TOTW kits, they all yield great results if YOU the builder takes the time to do them right. IMO, they are more difficult than a chambers kit due to the less custom nature of the kit. Anywho, I'd rather spend the money on a chambers kit hands down but nothing wrong with a track kit. They both go boom in the end.

 

[Micah Clark]

I built a Late Lancaster from TVM last year, and was very pleased with their product particularly their inletting of the lock, barrel and trigger. They do good work, though they don't shape the stock as much as Chambers does, and they don't inlet as many parts as Chambers does.

I am building a Chambers fowler kit now. It may be a little easier than the TVM kit, or I may be more skilled now, but my TVM was better inlet for the lock and barrel than my JC kit. . . So each have their strengths.

I went with TVM because I am left handed, it cost little less and they had more options for me than JC did . . . I was pleased, but I also had a local coach and the Gunsmiths of Greenville book and lots of time on Youtube to help. . and this forum helped a lot too.

If you can afford it, Chambers might be best, but from all I have seen, TOTW, Petonica River & TVM all do good work on their kits . .and I think it's fair to say that a kit Sitting Fox is OK too. (Built is perhaps another matter.)

 

[Col. Batguano]

I believe that Pecatonica River makes all of Track's stocks for them.

 

[Crewdawg445]

I had pecatonica make me a custom stock in an early Lancaster style out of ash for my current build. Placing it alongside another"TOTW stock" laying around I'd venture to say that's an accurate assumption.

 

[Zonie]

As was said, Chambers kits have a lot of the work done for you.

While that can make them easier to build, it removes the freedom of choosing some of the things you might rather have.

The Track of the Wolf and Pecatonica River kits, being less "finished" allows you to modify things if you choose.

 

[eggwelder]

Depending where you are, you may be able to consult the writer of The Gunsmith of Grenville County. Peter Alexander. lives near, in Brockville area. i used to live within 1/2 hour of him but squandered my chance.

 

[chawbeef]

Thanks to all for the info. Noted and stored. :hatsoff: ...........Daniel

 

[chawbeef]

Depending where you are, you may be able to consult the writer of The Gunsmith of Grenville County. Peter Alexander. lives near, in Brockville area. i used to live within 1/2 hour of him but squandered my chance.

I have Mr. Alexanders book and would welcome the chance to meet the man. I'm living in Niagara Falls and would not know how to contact him........Daniel

 

[eggwelder]

i only spoke with him once, but no more after that. i got busy, if you will, then i got posted out to Newfoundland. he might be in the phone book, he does or did run summer building courses.

 

[rusty]

I think he lives in Belleville

 

[JohnN]

I have seen the comment that Pecatonica makes TOW stocks several times. Anyone know that for a fact ? I only ask because I built Pecatonica's Tulle kit many years ago and built the TOW Tulle kit a few years ago. Both stocks were different. The Pecatonica stock had a lot more wood on it.

 

[Col. Batguano]

That's what they (at Pecatonica River) told me when I talked to them last, about 4 years ago. I believe I asked Greg Paine at Track the same question a couple of years ago too, and I think he confirmed it. Haven't spoken with either of them lately though.

 

[kodiakmarine]

I have spent much time looking over the kits from Jim Chambers, Track, and Pecatonica. They all have high reputations. When you consider all the work that is already done, that the barrels are all either swamped or tapered octagon to round, and that the stock is curly maple rather than plain, then I have to consider Jim Chambers kits the ones that give you the most for your money.

I was unable unable to afford any of these. I was really feeling down and frustrated until I found out I could go another route. I live an hour away from an outstanding builder I met at a ML gun show. He gives lessons in his shop at a mere $10 a session, provides all the tools, sells the parts at very competitive prices without shipping charges, on a buy as you go basis. I now feel like one of my grandkids at Christmas. I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this.

If you do not have an instructor, then having a DVD that shows the specifics on building his kits is another reason to choose a Chambers kit. If I were an experienced builder then I might choose Track or Pecatonica as they offer a greater variety of styles.

Good luck with your build, whatever you choose :thumbsup: . - John