TOTW Vincent Ohio Rifle Build

[Chowmif16]

Okay guys,
I've been reluctant to post photos of this build because it seems to be a disaster at every turn.
It's my first build, a .50 Cal Vincent Ohio Rifle from a pre-carve from TOTW.
All the things I thought would be easy turned out to be difficult. Many of the things I thought would be impossible turned out to be alright. Go figure.

I am now nearly ready for final sanding of the wood and metal, then finishing, browning (then probably rust blueing by boiling water).
Still have to solder the ramrod pipes to the under-rib, saw off the extension of the nipple drum, and dovetail the front and rear sights.

Many of the picture are quite old, and so progress has been made. If you look at each picture, there are comments by me on many of them.

The biggest issue with the rifle is that when I drilled and tapped the nipple drum, it ended up a few degrees off kilter. I'm not sure if it was the drill hole or the tapping. Anyway, I ended up filing the flat of the barrel down so that the nearly the entire drum is in contact with the barrel. You can see it in the pictures.

My plan is to hang this rifle up on the wall of my shop as a reminder of how not to do things!

By the way, constructive criticism is actively encouraged!




https://www.flickr.com/photos/chowmi/albums/72157659063354325/with/25454387622/

 

[Cowboy]

I am no gun builder and have zero experience in doing it. I will have to say though, It doesn't look to bad at all! After you complete the final wood removal and final sanding, staining/sealing the stock. Completing the furniture and bluing/browning the barrel. I wouldn't doubt that it will turn out to be a fine rifle! Not just a wall hanger but a real shooter that anyone would be proud to own! :2 Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[galamb]

For a first build I certainly wouldn't be hangin' that on the wall.

It's really not that bad at all. Take it out, hunt it, bang it around a bit and it will look just fine (a battle scar here and there helps to hide any minor inletting issues).

As a builder your eye will always be more critical than anyone else because you "know" every little mistake.

And particularly with those "unfamiliar" they will just see a fine looking rifle.

Enjoy it.

 

[Chowmif16]

Thanks fellas,
I nearly gave up on this one a few weeks ago.
My standards are high, and my skill is low.
This was always and only intended to be a learning build, and I can say that it has served it's purpose. I have done nearly every operation twice, because the first one was screwed up.
I'm off to the NMLRA workshop at WKU this summer to build a Christian Springs rifle from a blank with Jack Brooks, can't wait to see all the things I am doing wrong!

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

nice work :thumbsup:

I agree with galamb, nothing is sadder to look at than a perfectly functioning rifle hanging from a wall

My two favorite nuggets of wisdom I received on this forum so far are:

1. The measure of a skilled builder is 50% doing it right and 50% knowing how to fix what you did wrong. Anything can be fixed and brought up to a level you are thrilled about if you take the time to ask around.

---and---

2. They can't tell if they're running :grin:

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

By the way, constructive criticism is actively encouraged!

switch to pepsi :hmm:

 

[Onojutta]

I have done nearly every operation twice, because the first one was screwed up.

Haha, boy I know what that is like!

Nice job on the metal to wood fit. I don't know anything about that style of rifle, but it does look to me like the wrist is a little fat/tall, maybe you could slim that down some?

 

[Chowmif16]

1. The measure of a skilled builder is 50% doing it right and 50% knowing how to fix what you did wrong. Anything can be fixed and brought up to a level you are thrilled about if you take the time to ask around.

Well,

By that measure, I am well on my way!

My inletting on the fluer de lis end of the toe plate was so bad, I scrapped it. I then cut a new longer one and inlet it again to eliminate the bad inletting.

I think I've filed and sanded the trigger guard about 3 times. It's finally close to how I want it.

I've plugged the screw holes and re-attached the butt-plate 3 times due to misaligned screws.

I plugged the hole and re-drilled the barrel pin once because it was so wonky. It's still a bit off, but I have accepted it.

The nipple drum install was poor, and slightly off centre so I had to ground out the half-circle on the lockplate to accommodate it.

Oh, and way too late in the process I figured out that the barrel is tilted ever so slightly left. I must have angled the tang inlet a bit. That's the only thing I can figure to blame for it. By the time I realized it, so many other pieces were already in that it would have been a monumental amount of work to fix. Serves as a good lesson.

 

[Billnpatti]

I'll say a big AMEN to that. It is exactly what I was thinking. That ain't a bad build at all. All that rifle needs is a little bit of finishing and a bunch of shooting. :thumbsup:

 

[Billnpatti]

" Oh, and way too late in the process I figured out that the barrel is tilted ever so slightly left. "

Do not dispare, it ain't nothing that can't be fixed. It will take a bit of work but it can be done and it needs to be done. :thumbsup:

 

[hoochiepapa]

An old saying....
An artist is always most critical of his own work.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Why, I think it is a fine looking rifle! I am getting ready for a Vincent build, and I hope mine turns out like yours. :hatsoff:

 

[S.Kenton]

For a first build I think you done a fine job thus far. I have not built a rifle on my own as of yet....but I will when I get stuff organized. I can't wait to see the finished product...good job..keep on keeping on! :thumbsup:

 

[Micah Clark]

I am in the middle of my first build and I think you're doing fine . . . I suspect that once stained and finished it will look totally different and better than you think.

In a lot of ways, if you haven't screwed up the lock mortise, not many people will notice the other things that you see.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I too did that same gun as my first build, and experienced similar issues. The pewter cap pour was particularly maddening.

People underestimate how difficult it is to get a perfect 90 degree angle with a drill press, and 3 feet of barrel hanging off the small drill table, or how much drill bits like to walk on you, even though you've already drilled pilot holes. In the future, you might try using center-point bits, or even milling bits. Those are particularly good for drilling holes in brass that likes to "grab" and break off bits as it is breaking through the bottom of the piece.

That said, my Vincent is by far and away my best shooting ML'er. That butt hook really locks the gun in place, and makes accurate deliberate slow fire very possible. From Offhand position, I have no problem keeping 9 out of 10 shots in a 4" bull at 50 yards, which makes it pretty much on par with my 16 pound competition smallbore free rifle.

 

[Chowmif16]

I got a fair amount of work done today, dovetailed the front and rear sights and silver soldered (badly) the ramrod pipes to the under-rib. It is finally fully assembled and ready for a bit more shaping, sanding, finishing and barrel browning.
I started this rifle nearly 3 years ago, but life gets in the way. It's main purpose in life is to be a practice run for building golden age flintlocks. I know, why practice on an Ohio Rifle?? Well, I thought mamma or the little one might like shooting it!

Billnpatti,
I'm pondering fixing the barrel lean. It's so slight that I failed to notice. I do realize that it will affect point of aim over distance. I might just let it be. I have 3 more projects in waiting, and this was always a learning gun.

Little Buffalo,
You are right, the wrist is too tall. By quite a lot. I think I might just take a file to it. As it turns out, the wrist is tall, but skinny compared to the plans.

Col.,
The pewter nose cap pour went great, partly thanks to some comments you made to me a while back. What I haven't mentioned so far, is that in attempting to file it to match an original Vincent, I managed to file it down into the wood. So, I poured a small patch on it, waaaayyy to hot, which then melted part of the existing nose cap. Round three was another patch, less hot, which was successful. I'm not smart, just determined...

Cheers all,
Pictures soon,

Chowmi

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

I'm pondering fixing the barrel lean...I might just let it be. I have 3 more projects in waiting, and this was always a learning gun.

If you don't figure out how to fix your mistakes on this one, you run the risk of your next one turning into the learning gun

 

[Chowmif16]

Obi-Wan,
Wise like your namesake! You are correct, although I think the bigger lesson learned is to monitor the barrel and tang inlet to prevent this occurrence in the first place. That lesson is definitely learned.

As it is, the wrist is way too tall, and I might be able to combine fixing the wrist height along with the barrel lean.

It's a competition between wanting to do the right thing, and wanting to finish this and move on. We'll see which path wins!

 

[ol vern]

Take the time to correct it. If you don't every time you look at
the gun it will bug the heck out of you.

Ask me how I know :redface:

 

[Cowboy]

Take the time to correct it. If you don't every time you look at
the gun it will bug the heck out of you.

Ask me how I know :redface:

I totally agree! If you have the time and resources available you should do it. It will be an eye sore to you every time you look at it. Not so much for others though. Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff: