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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: davec2 on February 11, 2015, 11:53:10 PM

Title: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finished !
Post by: davec2 on February 11, 2015, 11:53:10 PM

I am determined, while I have some rare free time between contracts, to finish as many of the partially started rifles and pistols I have put on hold as I learned enough from the great builders on this site to know how much I didn't know (if that makes any sense....?)  The problem with completing projects I started before I learned as much as I have now is that I have to live with a lot of things that I would not now do the same way.  However, I have determined that I can learn more by making the best of what I have rather than throwing it all out and starting over.

So here is another rifle that I really started in parallel with the walnut stocked rifle I just finished.  The architecture had long been established as well as some of the parts I used.  I had originally planned to make another brass patch box, but in building the copy of the Kibler rifle that I completed a while ago, I made my first wooden patch box got the hang of it.  I changed over to one here.  The barrel is a Rice, 42 inch, swamped, round bottom rifling in .50 cal.  I had already inletted a Chamber English round faced lock along with the barrel.  I liked the carving I copied on the Kibler rifle and am using many of the same elements here, with some modifications.

So here is is so far................


(https://preview.ibb.co/gpim3H/IMG_2359.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ePqAVx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/ijgvxc/IMG_2360.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hxO8Hc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/mqQcAx/IMG_2362.jpg) (http://ibb.co/miheOH)

(https://preview.ibb.co/cGkzOH/IMG_2365.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kiHqVx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/fEzR3H/IMG_2367.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hnazOH)

(https://preview.ibb.co/gmhDiH/IMG_2406.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hJJm3H)

(https://preview.ibb.co/m3qzOH/IMG_2403.jpg) (http://ibb.co/guBTHc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/cfLzOH/IMG_2401.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kejhcc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/fn4hcc/IMG_2410.jpg) (http://ibb.co/djbHAx)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on February 11, 2015, 11:55:43 PM

That is such clean work.  Beautiful.

Coryjoe

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle
Post by: wattlebuster on February 12, 2015, 12:15:32 AM

Your work is top notch. When ya get done with that old clunker send it to me an I will properly dispose of it for you ;D

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle
Post by: kaintuck on February 12, 2015, 01:12:13 AM

NICE DAVE!~ ;D

I still double dawg dare you ;D

what was the thinkness you used on your sideplate??

marc n tomtotm

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle
Post by: davec2 on February 12, 2015, 06:52:59 AM

Thanks...

Kaintuck......I cut the side plate out of 1/8 inch brass.  I inlet it about half way.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle
Post by: Ed Wenger on February 13, 2015, 03:24:49 AM

Really nice, Dave.  I like the trigger, don't see that too often, nice touch...


        Ed

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle
Post by: davec2 on February 13, 2015, 05:53:42 AM

All the rough carving completed.  Just need to finish sculpting and cleaning up the background.....

(https://preview.ibb.co/maquqx/IMG_2418.jpg) (http://ibb.co/n7QSAx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/n21OiH/IMG_2415.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kURpOH)

(https://preview.ibb.co/chV5xc/IMG_2413.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gCZnAx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/dmmOiH/IMG_2412.jpg) (http://ibb.co/inhw3H)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: PPatch on February 13, 2015, 06:06:45 AM

Beautiful work sir. Carry on... ;o)

dp

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: James Rogers on February 13, 2015, 06:10:31 AM

Dave,
You are an inspiration my friend!
I love it.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: davec2 on February 13, 2015, 06:32:24 AM

James,

I had to build a rifle that wouldn't embarrass the pouch you made for me......:)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: Rolf on February 13, 2015, 11:05:52 AM

Dave,
Beautiful work, as allways. Could you show some closeups of the volutes on the forestock? I want to do something like that on my Beck rifle.
Still practicing on scraps. Can't seem to get it right. I'm stamping with gouges.

Best regards
Rolf

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: davec2 on February 13, 2015, 11:36:00 AM

Rolf,

The carving is just roughed in and these volutes are not cleaned up yet.  I cut in the volute with a knife, remove the material in the scroll with a small flat chisel, and then do a final clean up of the volute shape with the knife again.  Here is one side

(https://preview.ibb.co/jw0r3H/IMG_2422.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dtMaVx)

And the other side

(https://preview.ibb.co/fkDYHc/IMG_2420.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dDd0xc)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: Brian Jordan on February 13, 2015, 12:56:09 PM

Beautiful Amazing work!!

There are a few members on here that when I see they post something related to a rifle build I cannot wait to click on the link and see what kind of beautiful work will be displayed!

Dave you are at the top of that list!!

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: flatsguide on February 16, 2015, 07:06:28 AM

I have been a fan of your work ever since I saw the nautical themed priming horn you made. Really nice design on the side plate and clam shell carving.
Regards Richard

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Rough Carving Complete
Post by: davec2 on February 16, 2015, 10:05:30 AM

Some engraving.....not none, but not too much.  English motif.

(https://preview.ibb.co/k2u13H/IMG_2429.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cZNAxc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/k18iHc/IMG_2426.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mZiHcc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/eka8iH/IMG_2427.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fHBg3H)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: rjpalmer on February 16, 2015, 11:11:52 AM

Truly superb !!!!

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: Brian Jordan on February 16, 2015, 06:43:28 PM

Dave is that clay that you are using to hold the trigger guard? If so can you give some details?

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: t.caster on February 16, 2015, 06:54:28 PM

That's the inspiration I needed to get me down to my workbench and cover the floor with maple woodchips!
Some really nice details!

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: Tim Crosby on February 16, 2015, 07:10:56 PM

 Amazing!

   Tim C.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: old george on February 16, 2015, 07:17:03 PM

That is truly a fine weapon, your talent is amazing. Anyone would be proud in have her in a prominent place of display. Keep up the great work.

geo

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: mountainman on February 16, 2015, 07:21:21 PM

Beautiful... Is that dykem blue on your brass parts?  If so, do you use that for engraving purpose?

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on February 16, 2015, 07:39:38 PM

Quote from: melsdad on February 16, 2015, 06:43:28 PM

Dave is that clay that you are using to hold the trigger guard? If so can you give some details?

I'll bet it's Bondo on a piece of wood to fill the trigger guard bow...gives support to the brass to dampen vibration.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Some Engraving Completed
Post by: davec2 on February 16, 2015, 08:29:13 PM

Melsdad,

Not clay or Bondo...having worked for my father as a dental technician from the time I was 6 until I left for the Naval Academy at 19, I use a lot of dental techniques and materials for gun work including castings, etc. (I keep a fairly well set up and stocked dental laboratory handy because I make my own crowns when required and end up making a lot of dental prosthetics for family members....and my Dad, who is 90, still does better work than I do....)

To hold a lot of unusual shaped pieces firmly and without damage for engraving, I often use something we called "cold cure".  It is a powdered acrylic that is mixed with a monomer liquid to the consistency of peanut butter.  The part is set in place on any convenient substrate, in this case a wood block, and the acrylic sets up very hard in a couple of minutes.  The part can be released with heat when the engraving is done.  This acrylic is the same material used to make the pink body of a denture.  The material I am using here is clear / white rather than pink.  Like Bondo, and as Taylor points out, the acrylic holds the part very firmly so there is no vibration or "bounce" while engraving.

Mountainman,

Yes, that is Dykem.  I use many methods to get the original design down on the part, but often just Dykem the surface and sketch the design very, very lightly with a sharp scribe.  The part looks like this while I am working:

(https://preview.ibb.co/iAAKqx/IMG_2423.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ka3uOH)

Here the side plate has been attached to a scrap piece of wood with Super Glue (also later released by heat), coated with Dykem, the design sketched, and then cut.  Before I remove the Dykem, I blacken the engraving with a "Q" tip and Brass Black.  In the fresh cuts, the Black works immediately and the Dykem keeps the rest of the surface from blackening.  Once the cuts are black, I wipe off the Dykem with lacquer thinner.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finishing the carving- Staining the wood
Post by: davec2 on February 21, 2015, 04:12:49 AM

Continuing the work on this rifle......

Finishing the carving

(https://preview.ibb.co/hgbncc/IMG_2431.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mR5POH)

(https://preview.ibb.co/d4mW3H/IMG_2433.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kWJNAx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/ho0DHc/IMG_2434.jpg) (http://ibb.co/g2hScc)

Two applications of Aqua Fortis / iron stain with heat blush of each and the seal coat of Sutherland & Wells polymerized tung oil 50/50 with aged turpentine.

(https://preview.ibb.co/nFTNAx/IMG_2437.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iPzUqx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/dJfr3H/IMG_2439.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iZ1Lxc)

Some barrel decoration in progress

(https://preview.ibb.co/cxiNAx/IMG_2444.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iFoYHc)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finishing the carving- Staining the wood
Post by: flatsguide on February 21, 2015, 04:47:28 AM

Thank you for the tutorial on how you hold parts. I guess the use of Dykem cuts down on glare too.
Richard

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finishing the carving- Staining the wood
Post by: Ed Wenger on February 21, 2015, 07:16:32 PM

Crazy nice, Dave.  Keep us posted!

      Ed

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finishing the carving- Staining the wood
Post by: MagTen on February 21, 2015, 08:06:10 PM

As a boatbuilder starting on his first flintlock build (Chambers Lancaster), I find your incredible craftsmanship a true inspiration.  Thank you for sharing!

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finishing the carving- Staining the wood
Post by: davec2 on February 23, 2015, 03:00:03 AM

Breech decoration and gold makers mark completed

(https://preview.ibb.co/kiEZOH/IMG_2449.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cGiiHc)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: Algae on February 23, 2015, 03:16:46 AM

Speechless....absolutely gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing!
Al J.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: WadePatton on February 23, 2015, 03:33:46 AM

Just keep messin' around Dave, you'll get the hang of it.

 ;D

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: J. Talbert on February 23, 2015, 04:52:10 AM

Dave,

You're a man of many talents.  That's another very nice rifle in the making.
 
I wish I was 1/10th as productive in my spare time as you.

Also, I'm sure your progress in pictures is a tremendous help to many here on ALR.

Thanks for posting,
Jeff

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finishing the carving- Staining the wood
Post by: Rolf on February 23, 2015, 09:55:57 PM

Quote from: davec2 on February 23, 2015, 03:00:03 AM

Breech decoration and gold makers mark completed

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi139.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq300%2Fdavec2_photos%2FIMG_2449_zps3i1kmfid.jpg&hash=4b654017f67d63474ba27b9dc6a29e1887f9de33)

Beautiful! How do you make the beaded borders?

Bes regards
Rolf

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: mab7 on February 23, 2015, 10:27:40 PM

That is seriously outstanding work.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: davec2 on February 23, 2015, 11:59:10 PM

Thanks for the kind comments.

Rolf, I like the look of beaded borders and I'm not sure how one is supposed to make them.  However, what I did here was to cut four parallel lines with a graver spaced as you see the edges of the molding.  With jeweler's files, I shaped the center convex area and deepen the engraved lines to form two ridges with a narrow (0.020") wide top.  I then make perpendicular cuts in those ridges with the graver leaving a line of little squares.  I go back and punch each of the squares with a small hammer and a beading punch large enough to cover the top of the little square. Once the square is rounded up a bit, I go back over each one with a slightly smaller punch.  This leaves a nicely formed bead.  Easy to do on most mild steel, brass, silver, gold, etc. 

Somewhere I have a picture of an original 18th century Spanish gun decorated with beads in gold.  If I can find it, I will post it.

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: Marcruger on February 24, 2015, 01:02:36 AM

Wow Dave.  That is really super.  I especially love the color you achieved with the Aqua Fortis.  What a crisp look against the brass.  Your maker's mark is a beautiful touch as well sir.  Just lovely.  Thank you for sharing the photos and instruction with us.   God Bless,   Marc

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Breech decoration completed
Post by: davec2 on February 24, 2015, 07:21:10 AM

Rolf,

Here is the gold beaded Spanish gun.........different technique, but I like the beaded design....

(https://preview.ibb.co/f2nccc/IMG_2453.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fQvVxc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/bsYuOH/Spanish_Gun_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nBZeqx)

Finished the barrel on the rifle (as much as I intend to).......

(https://preview.ibb.co/b17oiH/IMG_2459.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iUeeqx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/gRxXAx/IMG_2456.jpg) (http://ibb.co/b2t5Vx)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finished !
Post by: davec2 on March 03, 2015, 10:57:18 PM

All the parts finished and final assembled, but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.  I tried the scraping / burnishing stock smoothing technique on this one rather than sanding.  Came out a little "fuzzier" around the carving, but I haven't decided if I like the look or not....I decided not to patina the lock at all.  May change my mind later, but if it gathers "patina" as fast as I do, I won't have to worry about it very much.  This is my third wooden patch box.  I think I have the hang of that now...actually fun to do.


(https://preview.ibb.co/fbECAx/Maple_50_cal_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bW35Vx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/cXwsAx/Maple_50_cal_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fNg3Hc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/k2rEOH/Maple_50_cal_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mZSoiH)

(https://preview.ibb.co/k3cXAx/Maple_50_cal_7.jpg) (http://ibb.co/da6g3H)

(https://preview.ibb.co/kpjCAx/Maple_50_cal_10.jpg) (http://ibb.co/c6mQVx)

(https://preview.ibb.co/cVhccc/Maple_50_cal_12.jpg) (http://ibb.co/e2HAxc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/m7RQVx/Maple_50_cal_13.jpg) (http://ibb.co/h0Xccc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/nJeOHc/Maple_50_cal_15.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jLBEOH)

(https://preview.ibb.co/mQGLxc/Maple_50_cal_17.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ktgncc)

(https://preview.ibb.co/d8aDHc/Maple_50_cal_21.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iPxhAx)

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finished !
Post by: kaintuck on March 03, 2015, 11:04:59 PM

 ;)
dave, another nice one...........but I STILL dare you~ the gauntlet is thrown ;D

in 'time frame'....you could make in a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

marc n tomtom

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finished !
Post by: Brian Jordan on March 04, 2015, 02:34:14 AM

Beautiful work!!!

Title: Re: New .50 Cal Maple Stocked Rifle - Finished !
Post by: pushboater on March 05, 2015, 04:49:59 AM

Outstanding work Dave! Beautiful rifle in every respect. Truely inspiring.  Thanks for sharing.

Capt. David