I liked the way the forestock turned out as well. After I had the stock shaped, I started drawing the nosecap. I drew it serveral times. It seemed like the longer forend made the rifle flow better. When I drew it shorter, it looked like you said, short and stubby. So, I made it long and I think it came out well. The suggestions that many have given on the forum is good. Draw it, look at it, if you like it, walk away and come back later and look at it again. If you still like it, you are good to go if not, try again.
To attach the wood underrib, I used four of the cast staples from TOW. I placed two of them 1 inch from each end of the rib and equally spaced the other two between them. I didn't think that part out very well. One of the staples ended up very closed to where the middle thimble is monunted. I had to shorten the tab on that thimble by around a 1/2 inch to clear the staple. It all worked out, but a little more planning would have been better. I shortened the legs of the staples, because they seemed awfully long and did not peen them in. I shortened them to about the same the depth as the dovetails for the sights and just soldered them in. I figgured that solder should be plently strong as I believe these to be low stress joints. Time will tell, if my thinking was right on this or not.
After bulding this rifle, I am looking forward to building the next one. I just have to start saving money. It will be a TN as well. As you have said, they have great lines and I really enjoyed building this one.
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Praise from people that I respect, it wasn't what I expected, but gatifying none the less. Tim
