underhammer build along

[rkeltner]

as per a request recieved after a mention of a project, i'm starting a build-along. while pictures are going to be coming later, i am going to explain my plans and list the components as they come along. first, the barrel; since i wanted an express rifle, i needed a fast-twist rifle barrel, preferably in .45 cal. this issue was solved by a purchase of 2 stainless 1-in-24 twist 1.25" diameter blanks from gun parts corp.(i was lucky to get them, they sold out very quickly) next, i got a hold of some scrap aluminum flat stock, 1" thick. this will be the major portion of the reciever. the reciever will have 1/8" flat stock steel side plates which will both strengthen the reciever, and provide an opportunity for some contrast in finishing(exact details of this will be determined later on). the action parts were purchased as stock parts from deer creek products(1-765-525-6181 for those who are interested. they're good people!) so far, i've roughed out the reciever, roughed out the barrel, and have made some preliminary decisions concerning the breeching of the barrel. wish me luck, this will probably be a slow moving build-along!oh yes, the barrel blank is 28".

 

[gmww]

I'm looking forward to seeing your project.

 

[doublesnider]

Im very interested in your build along.
I love underhammer guns.
Martin (waiting for next post )

 

[Blizzard of '93]

interesting post, I've wanted an underhammer since I saw the first one.

 

[BS]

Enjoy your build! :grin:

I bought several :wink: of the stainless 50 cal barrels....for more Underhammers :grin:

 

[Metalshaper]

I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with! as you can see, Marlow and I like the underhammers as well. This was a "team" project we worked on. Still could use a bit of tweaking,, but there are other things that need finishing first!

Unfortunately life keeps kickin' me in the butt,, but I'm hoping to finally have that conquered!!??

Respect Always
Metalshaper

of the Mar/Dag Gunworks :grin:

 

[gmww]

Metalshaper! :thumbsup:

 

[rkeltner]

metalshaper, i've seen your rifle on the net before, and i must say, i like the design! mine, unfortunately, (or not) will be a more modified stock style. i still don't have any pics, but i can start some of the descriptive work. upob getting the hammer and trigger, i cut the aluminum reciever mody out of the 1" stock. at this tine it was just a square piece of metal, with a "swelling" at one end. drilling through the body(for attaching the barrel extension) was accomplished on a 6" craftsman/atlas lathe using a 5/8 drill bit in the chuck and a center in the tailstock. the tailstock was used to advance the work and to keep the hole relatively centered. lacking a mill or a palmgren attachment, i made the slot for the tigger/hammer installment by drilling a series of holes in a line and then mounting an undersize mill cutter in the drill chuck. this is NOT for the faint of heart!! with the work held in a work vice, the drill press is turned on with the cutter already in the hole needing to be elongated. once again, do not try this if you haven't made considerable preparations, both mentally and physically, as you must be aware that it only takes a split second for this kind of make-do machining to go badly wrong! that said, i've been doing this kind of "fly-by-seat-of-your-pants" work for years with minimal injury! (amazing, isn't it!) wrll, once the slot is finished, it's time to fit the pins for the hammed and trigger. unwisely, i didn't ask about the proper spacing for the holes, so i've had to fix my errors twice now. fortunately ihave a lathe, so i can just turn an oversize plug of aluminum, drill the misplaced hole to a standard size (3/8 the first time, 1/2 the second) the, press the plug into place. this would be esthetically problematic, but this will covered by the steel plates that will be mounted on the sides of the action! once the trigger and hammer are mounted, it's time to work on the barrel. i almost didn't get ones i have (i bought two of them), but the deal was too good to pass up! the barrel is stainless, .45 cal., 28", with a 1 in 28 twist. the one thing that made me hesitate was the diameter. at 1.25, it would require quite a bit of stock removal, and my lathe isn't that big, at no more than 18"between centers. after some deep thought i decided i would try to turn the barrel on my undersize lathe. my 19 year old son was both amazed and amused at my solution. i took a 4x4 piece of oak, drilled a 1 1/2 hole cross ways though it, the drilled a 3/4 hole down though the top,and a 3/8 hole centered with the 3/4 hole coming up though the bottom. i then got a set of brass screws, and mounted them somewhat equally spaced around the 1 1/2 circumference i built an expedient pass through steady rest. i am glad to say that it worked wonderfully. while i did experience more chatter then i care for, i can't complain. all said and done, my barrel is a 1" breech, tapering to 7/8 at the muzzle. the first and last inch of the barrel will hand filed to some variation of octagonal.

 

[rkeltner]

made a mistake, thats's 1 in 24 twist

 

[Metalshaper]

metalshaper, i've seen your rifle on the net before, and i must say, i like the design! drilling through the body(for attaching the barrel extension) was accomplished on a 6" craftsman/atlas lathe i've been doing this kind of fly-by-seat-of-your-pants" work for years with minimal injury!

Fixit,

Thanks for the compliment,,on the rifle. Like I said, its was a 'team' effort with my buddy.

6" Craftsman! an Atlas or AA version?< mine is a AA > I've done lots of work by hand,, and spent more time using a hacksaw,my chisels and files,, than most people would ever want to ! :haha: but I did manage to get it done.

the description of your build, has me intrigued. it will be fun watching its progress and seeing what you come up with. I missed out on getting one ( or more ) of those barrels though :shake:

Day late and a dollar short,, my Mantra!

Respect Always
Metalshaper

 

[rkeltner]

i am goimg to attempt to get some pictures up, i've never used photobucket before!

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[rkeltner]

i;m going to bet its one picture per page.(duhhhh)

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[rkeltner]

or maybe not

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[rkeltner]

i think i've got it now!!!!!!

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[rkeltner]

my pictures are out of sequence (organized i ain't!) but, i have some pics of the barrel, before and after, two pics of the reciever at it's current stage of roughness, and a pic of my lathe.

 

[John Taylor]

I see an H&A hammer in the picture. Your work area is almost as cluttered as mine.

 

[rkeltner]

i've always heard that a cluttered workplace is a sign of inteligence. if that's the truth, then we're both high level geniuses!!!!!!

 

[John Taylor]

A clean shop means you have no work.

 

[kansas_volunteer]

When I was a Captain, A General came into my office and with one look at my desk, said "Messy desk, messy mind." It was a while later that I learned that highly creative people have a high tolerance for disorder. I'd say the photos are just a sign of a highly creative gunschmidt.

 

[paulvallandigham]

John and Kansas Volunteer: Years ago, the senior partner in the law firm where I worked stopped by my office, and commented on all the files I had stacked on the top of my desk, with the "A Messy desk means A Messy mind", adage. I responded,

If that is true, then what does an " Empty desk " mean?

He smiled, turned away, and went on home.

He took pride in cleaning everything from his desk before leaving for home. He had a office about twice the size of mine, with lots of file drawers, and a personal secretary that kept track of his appointments, day calendar, files, etc. Nice when you can get it. At the time, he was working on one or two estate cases, ONLY, while I had several dozen cases that would either go to trial, or be settled at the " courthouse steps". I had dozens of phone calls waiting to be returned, and I needed those files where I could check them every morning, and see which " call backs " were the oldest so I could call the lawyer, or witness again.

I do believe that an empty work bench means you don't have anything to do. In a perfect world, there would always be enough room to have every tool you need within arms reach, but, of course, this is not a perfect world.

Now, having said all this, I do understand that the camera shots posted above were made to show off the guns or gun parts, and benches were cleared in order to maximize the quality of the photos. To the photographers, THANKS A BUNCH! Sorry we seem to be giving you a hard time! :bow: :thumbsup: