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Withdrawl

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Joined
Nov 11, 2011
Messages
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Location
Surry County, North Carolina
It has become woefully apparent that muzzleloading gun building is addictive.
With no lock, stock or barrel on my bench, no wood dust on my hands and in my hair, no filing and fitting of parts, no sanding and scraping of wood, there grows a hole in the soul.
I can carve a horn or craft a thing, but it's just stop-gap.
Is there hope for someone like this?
 
I certainly hope so. I cannot stand to play board games, cards or watch TV. Thankfully, I have a caplock to flintlock project and a couple more in reserve. Couldn't imagine not having a project on the bench or something to do on the hobby farm. Maybe a shop upgrade you've been putting off until a worthy muzzleloader project or build finds its way to you?!?
 
No hope what so ever... All one can do is research the next build, draw a plan, or start making small parts like ramrod thimbles and patch boxes to stave off the cravings....
 
It has become woefully apparent that muzzleloading gun building is addictive.
With no lock, stock or barrel on my bench, no wood dust on my hands and in my hair, no filing and fitting of parts, no sanding and scraping of wood, there grows a hole in the soul.
I can carve a horn or craft a thing, but it's just stop-gap.
Is there hope for someone like this?
Yes!

Make me a gun:)
 
Here's a thought, find someone in your area who wants to build and start mentoring them. It will keep you engaged between your own builds. If I had someone like you near me, I'd try a build. Having experience over my shoulder would be an encouragement. Your skills could be invaluable to someone and your time could be enjoyably spent.
 
between builds i always tell myself i am going to clean up my shop area. i even go out and start to do it.
then i spy a barrel that is just crying to be draw filed and browned. Or i remember that the set triggers on one of my flintlocks isn't quite right. Or i see some loose ram rod ends crying for a piece of hickory to be turned.
i think i saw the top of my bench about 6 months ago!
i am half way through making a new stock for my Mortimer and am already starting to look for another blank and hardware for a big bore.
i would have to come out of retirement and go back to work to escape the addictive pursuit of playing with muzzleloaders. Beware all ye who enter these pathways!
 
The solution is woefully simple. Start another build. Do something really challenging that requires lots of wood removal and metalwork, those types of gun builds that take a guy a year or better. By then you'll have saved up enough for another one.
 
We are in Week # 2 of flintlock deer season here in PA, so we have another 15 days of hunting before we join the ranks of the dejected. You have my sympathy.
 
It has become woefully apparent that muzzleloading gun building is addictive.
With no lock, stock or barrel on my bench, no wood dust on my hands and in my hair, no filing and fitting of parts, no sanding and scraping of wood, there grows a hole in the soul.
I can carve a horn or craft a thing, but it's just stop-gap.
Is there hope for someone like this?
I don't know man, I'm kinda liking answers #4 and #5......

#3 has some good points too. We have seen you do some great work on some kits. Maybe it's time to try making some of your own parts? Ramrod pipes, nose cap, maybe a side plate?
 
Yes Pathfinder, there is.
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Let the force be with you.
Robby Won
 
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