AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: davec2 on September 18, 2015, 11:10:59 PM
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Back on 29 July, a rifle by Jim Chambers was posted on the Contemporary Makers site. Here is the link ...
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2015/07/new-work-by-jim-chambers.html
I thought the rifle was particularly beautiful and I asked Jim, via an ALR post, if he would mind if I attempted a copy of it. Jim graciously told me to go ahead, so I asked him for all of the specifics (caliber, barrel length, etc.) Not a month or two before Jim's rifle showed up, I had decided to build another rifle using the many spare parts I had lying around. I also decided that I wanted to build a small caliber rifle this time as everything else I had built recently was .50 or larger. I didn't want to go as small as a .32 so I had purchased a 42 inch, .36 caliber swamped barrel from Rice and had it sitting on the shelf. I also had a maple stock blank that I had purchased more than 25 years ago from Golden Age Arms and that had now been in the garage rafters for nearly three decades. Since all the other parts I had available seemed close enough to Jim's rifle, I thought it would be OK to use them and just duplicate the feel and style of Jim's rifle, as best I could, with what I had rather than trying to make an exact copy.
So, although I am up to my eyeballs in work at the moment, I thought I would do a little on the rifle here and there. In addition, I like posting the progress here for two reasons; first, I get such great feedback and constructive criticism all along the way that it helps me learn and make what improvements I can as I go. Second, it hustles me along...just to keep the story moving, I need to make some progress.
So, here we go.....This is the quarter century old stock blank. The first thing I did was to send the blank and barrel to Dave Rase to have him inlet the barrel for me. As usual, he did a great job and got the blank sent back to me in very short order.
(https://preview.ibb.co/hMxvXQ/Chambers_Copy_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/etcvXQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/csFhCQ/Chambers_Copy_3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jLmYK5)
Next, I plied up all the parts, printed some pictures of Jim's rifle, and started to do some scaling from the photos to lay out the major architecture.
(https://preview.ibb.co/jGv4Rk/Chambers_Copy_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nDODK5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cusvXQ/Chambers_Copy_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ipoDK5)
A little work with the band saw and the major portions of unnecessary wood had been removed.
(https://preview.ibb.co/hB0hCQ/Chambers_Copy_5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iT9Lz5)
To get the barrel all the way down and in final position, I re-shaped the end of the breech plug, to match Jim's rifle, and then completed the inletting. I also always like to bed the breech area, so I did that with AcraGlass as well.
(https://preview.ibb.co/i86dmk/Chambers_Copy_11.jpg) (http://ibb.co/koP9sQ)
So far so good....More when I can get to it.
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Thanks for letting us follow along. I look forward to it.
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No kidding! This is going to be fun.
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I love watching these "come along with me on this build" post's. This old dog might learn something after all ;D
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Thanks a bunch.....looking forward to it!!!!
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Looking forward to seeing her come together. Post lots of photos and how to's
Thanks Richard
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Looking forward to watching your gun come together. I learn alot from these kinds of builds. Thank you
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OK....had some time to make and install the four barrel loops. I had originally intended to use keys, but shifted back to pins at the last moment since Jim's rifle uses pins. So the barrel is down tight, except for the tang screw, which I will install after the trigger plate is inlet.
(https://preview.ibb.co/eSVSe5/Chambers_Copy_14.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bV2Jmk)
Had some time left, so I shifted over to the ram rod pipes. The two forward pipes go quickly, but I always dread the rear pipe...no reason, except I find it tedious. Jim's rifle has no engraving on any of the pipes, and I don't intend to add any, but I did cut some additional decorative rings on the pipe end moldings to make them a little more elaborate.
(https://preview.ibb.co/jTfhCQ/Chambers_Copy_7.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kExUsQ)
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Had all the parts except the side plate, so I stopped to make that today out of 1/8 inch brass sheet. I had to scale the design a little as the lock I am using is about 3/8 of an inch shorter than the one Jim used. I cut out the plate, beveled the edges, and sketched out the copy of Jim's engraving on it.
(https://preview.ibb.co/e2yVz5/Chambers_Copy_15.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fZZ3K5)
I have not had any time to engrave much lately so.....I thought I should start on the side plate. If I messed that up, I could make another one and try again. If I messed up on the lock or patch box, the mistake would be much harder to correct. This is just the outline cut...no shading yet.....
(https://preview.ibb.co/cNRHe5/Chambers_Copy_22.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ieokXQ)
Shading cut in......picture with the finished plate and a picture of Jim's plate.
(https://preview.ibb.co/nHMiK5/Chambers_Copy_23.jpg) (http://ibb.co/inH16k)
Closer image of side plate.....
(https://preview.ibb.co/ftzg6k/Chambers_Copy_24.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gYHCCQ)
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Thanks for posting the good photos. Nice touch on the pipe. I really like you style of engraving, very clean and flowing. I'm building JC's English Sporter and hope I don't come to grief when I start engraving her.
Regards, Richard
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More progress - Frizzen annealed, lock polished and ready for the engraving layout:
(https://preview.ibb.co/iYkomk/Chambers_Copy_10.jpg) (http://ibb.co/czEg6k)
Muzzle cap installed (except for the rivet)......
(https://preview.ibb.co/eiPg6k/Chambers_Copy_8.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fGzERk)
Butt plate installed........
(https://preview.ibb.co/dFriK5/Chambers_Copy_6.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mhNZRk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/h1vXCQ/Chambers_Copy_18.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fMc16k)
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No idle hands in your workshop, you have been busy but you sure used your time wisely. Real nice work and thank you for keeping us up to date.
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Always a pleasure when you share your excellent work with us. Your creativity comes thru at just the right flavor even when following another contemporary piece.
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Before running off to complete the lock engraving, I wanted to get it located and inletted. Once down and in place, I made the lock bolts and then drilled and tapped the stock and plate for them.
(https://preview.ibb.co/dDh16k/Chambers_Copy_12.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fkHZRk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/f2G5XQ/IMG_2926.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hasesQ)
With the lock located and in place, I assembled a trigger plate and trigger and got them installed as well......
(https://preview.ibb.co/ePSZRk/IMG_2905.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dss16k)
Trigger guard next..............
(https://preview.ibb.co/b8TKsQ/Chambers_Copy_13.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fWp3K5)
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Have enough parts inlet now to start taking of any wood that doesn't look like a long rifle.
(https://preview.ibb.co/hzADp5/Chambers_Copy_25.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ca6m95)
(https://preview.ibb.co/eLJoNQ/Chambers_Copy_28.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nvYcGk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gLp695/Chambers_Copy_26.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nNTNhQ)
This next photo may take a little explanation.......This stock blank turned out to be about 3/8 inch too narrow for the butt plate I am using and for the depth of the cheek piece I wanted. So, I had decided that I would add as much material as I needed in the cheek piece area. At first I was considering brass.....then ivory.....then horn.......then black horn.......wait, how about ebony? Ebony it was. It looks a little nutty right now with the stark contrast between the maple and the ebony, but once stained, I think it will look fine. I have mixed the two woods on other projects and been very pleased with the result. We will see how this turns out. I have a fall back if I end up not liking it.
(https://preview.ibb.co/fMBa2Q/Chambers_Copy_27.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jpWa2Q)
(https://preview.ibb.co/c2Bm95/Chambers_Copy_29.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jzrm95)
(https://preview.ibb.co/hgV2hQ/Chambers_Copy_30.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mS0eU5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mMpHGk/Chambers_Copy_31.jpg) (http://ibb.co/e10Pwk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gqoBbk/Chambers_Copy_32.jpg) (http://ibb.co/emMm95)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kNBm95/Chambers_Copy_33.jpg) (http://ibb.co/d2Ntp5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bGycGk/Chambers_Copy_34.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ihmm95)
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Terrific work…..inspiring. Can't wait to see this one finished with that ebony cheekpiece.
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Dave as Always clean and precise work. I have to ask the first post on this was 19 Sep, have you done all this work in that short a time? Maybe I missed something.
Tim C.
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Tim,
I had Dave Rase inlet the barrel for me the first part of July, but I didn't decide how to proceed until I saw Jim Chambers rifle on 29 July. I was gone part of August and it took a couple of weeks to get in the the parts I didn't have on hand. I polished the lock while I was waiting for parts, but I really didn't start the work on the rifle itself until the first week in September. Unfortunately, work gets in the way and I usually only have time to work for several hours in the evenings...... although I do make good progress on weekends. I don't feel like the the rifle is coming together all that fast and now comes the patch box and the carving. Those will take me a while to try to mimic Jim's beautiful work.
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I really like what you did with the cheek piece, Dave. I think it'll look great once stained, (looks great now!) looking forward to seeing the end results! I've often thought of doing something similar with the bottom of the butt, in effect making a step wrist rifle...
Ed
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Tim,
I had Dave Rase inlet the barrel for me the first part of July, but I didn't decide how to proceed until I saw Jim Chambers rifle on 29 July. I was gone part of August and it took a couple of weeks to get in the the parts I didn't have on hand. I polished the lock while I was waiting for parts, but I really didn't start the work on the rifle itself until the first week in September. Unfortunately, work gets in the way and I usually only have time to work for several hours in the evenings...... although I do make good progress on weekends. I don't feel like the the rifle is coming together all that fast and now comes the patch box and the carving. Those will take me a while to try to mimic Jim's beautiful work.
Thanks, Impressive, kind of reminds me of methods engineering.
Tim C.
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You make it look easy Dave. And you certainly picked a beaut to copy. The squirrels will line up to be shot by that rifle.
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Stopped work on the stock for a bit and shifted back to metal work. I decided to include my usual breech decoration and gold touch mark. Here is the breech cut with a border, the touch mark recess excavated and the gold sheet cut to fit....
(https://preview.ibb.co/muEyp5/Chambers_Copy_35.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bOFhGk)
The touch mark after pressing..............
(https://preview.ibb.co/fNbdp5/Chambers_Copy_36.jpg) (http://ibb.co/g8tPU5)
My usual engraving on the underside of the barrel..............tried a different style this time....more rustic.....
(https://preview.ibb.co/geQ4U5/Chambers_Copy_37.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cfDDNQ)
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Had a little time between test contracts to start making some progress on this rifle. Started some carving and then switched over to engraving the lock. I am trying to do my best to copy Jim's design style.....not all that successfully, but at least I am not stuck in my same rut. The lock isn't completely finished yet, but it's close.
(https://preview.ibb.co/gA3V2Q/Chambers_Copy_38.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mBz3NQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cgXONQ/Chambers_Copy_39.jpg) (http://ibb.co/h6cq2Q)
(https://preview.ibb.co/hFsONQ/Chambers_Copy_40.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kTmTp5)
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Dave, the rifle is looking great, and your engraving continues to be some of the finest I've seen. Shaping up to be another beautiful piece...
Ed
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Dave.
Put your name underneath the pan. Nice work as usual.
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Well, for obvious reasons, November and December did not leave much time for work on this rifle. However, I was determined to get at least a little of the carving done between Christmas and the New Year. Since this is (mostly) a shameless copy of Jim Chamber's beautiful rifle, I didn't have to spend much time trying to decide what to carve. Here is the layout of the butt carving sketched directly from a photo of Jim's rifle.......
(https://preview.ibb.co/iawYNQ/Chambers_Copy_41.jpg) (http://ibb.co/f1cJp5)
This next photo shows the start of cutting in the outlines.......
(https://preview.ibb.co/efbB95/Chambers_Copy_45.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hc4L2Q)
And then some of the relief carving..........
(https://preview.ibb.co/bWpL2Q/Chambers_Copy_46.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jyMB95)
A lot of refining and smoothing yet to go, but at least some progress has been made here. I did also get to the same stage of unrefined carving at the barrel breach, the rear pipe, and the patchbox side of the wrist..........
(https://preview.ibb.co/cH2Uwk/Chambers_Copy_42.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dRU9wk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mhfGbk/Chambers_Copy_43.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dE8PU5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/euGpwk/Chambers_Copy_44.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cNfGbk)
Happy New Year to all.
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Thanks for the update. Love to see works in progress.
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Lovely work Dave. I admire your talent.
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Very inspiring!! "Thank you" Dave!....
Is it ok-normal to just stare at the screen of the same picture for hours?? ;D
These threads are just! fun follow...
And "Thank you" Dennis for running this show!
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Beautiful
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Thanks for the encouragement, but this is just my poor attempt to copy Jim Chambers' beautiful work. Hopefully, it will come out acceptably, but, especially as I labor over this carving, I can tell you I am no Jim Chambers.....or Jim Kibler......or Bill Shipman......or (Acer, Taylor, Rogers, Brennan, Huddleston....just fill in the blank with your favorite gun builder !)
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....but this is just my poor attempt to copy Jim Chambers' beautiful work.
Dave, you are pretending to come off as a hack, but the quality of your work says you are far, far from it. Stop pretending your work sucks, and knock our socks off, please.
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Awesome work. Just when I think I've got something going on, I'm reminded how far I have to go. I love it.
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Acer......one of my favorite Dirty Harry one liners is, "A man's got to know his limitations"
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....but this is just my poor attempt to copy Jim Chambers' beautiful work.
Dave, you are pretending to come off as a hack.
Dave,
Looking good! Continue to hack away. In my latest project, I am at about the same point as you. Back ground is complete and I am starting to model. Should finish up modeling on Wednesday, let it sit overnight, final editing the following morning and start applying finish.
David
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David,
I will get in touch with you shortly.....I have a brass blunderbuss barrel for you to inlet into a walnut blank. (I know how much you love to do those !)
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I just wish tomtom would learn how to carve like that!.......he always messes up, then blames me~ all you fellows are way good...take a compliment....and if your mother in law says your good..........then take a bow!!!!!!!!! ::) ;D
marc n tomtom
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I just wish tomtom would learn how to carve like that::) ;D
marc n tomtom
Once you get his claws properly sharpened, it's easy. The hardest part is getting a cat to hold still while you run his claws across the stone. ???
David
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Carving is about as sculpted as I want it to be......needs some final refinements and, for me the hardest part, smoothing the background.........
(https://preview.ibb.co/b7c195/Chambers_Copy_47.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gWgTp5)
To take a break from the tedium of carving, I scraped the butt plate with the angled edge of a box cutter blade. It takes off brass more rapidly and more smoothly than a file and leaves a finish that does not take too much more work with fine abrasive paper.
(https://preview.ibb.co/jiU3NQ/Chambers_Copy_49.jpg) (http://ibb.co/b8EEU5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/n1wHhQ/Chambers_Copy_48.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kTMiNQ)
Rear sight is installed......
(https://preview.ibb.co/nM5chQ/Chambers_Copy_50.jpg) (http://ibb.co/buMuU5)
Front sight.........
(https://preview.ibb.co/mabiNQ/Chambers_Copy_51.jpg) (http://ibb.co/i8zRbk)
Lock parts case hardened and ready for final finish........
(https://preview.ibb.co/mOCONQ/Chambers_Copy_52.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fDqA2Q)
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My complements on your job, well done. Nice to follow your progress. Learning all the time, Thanks.
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Really nice work, Dave. Carving is looking great, and I like the cheek piece more and more!
Ed
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I love it. Wished it were mine. Can you tell me about the rear sight, is that an steel insert or am I looking at some glare of some sort?
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Dave, you really set us up... 'Oh, my carving is so bad'
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Thomas......didn't mean to trick you. Let me re-phrase......my carving is lovely..... just not as lovely as the carving of several others on this board (who, if I didn't live on the wrong side of the country and have a day job, I would go and take lessons from...including you !) :)
Ed....Thanks....I like the cheek piece more and more as well. I think it will look great after the rest of the stock is stained.
Smylee....the rear sight is just a simple cast steel sight. Can't remember if that one came from Jim Chambers or TOW, but it is one of the commercially available cast steel sights. I didn't go to the trouble of making this one out of a meteorite as I did on the copy of one of Jim Kibler's rifles I built. However, I do like the meteorite sights on that rifle a lot.
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WOW!! What gorgeous piece of art. Very very nice....thank you for sharing.
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Really inspiring work! Inspiration is exactly what I need right now. Thanks!
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As noted in the blunderbuss post, gun building has taken a back seat to life for several months. However, I am anxious to finish this copy of a Jim Chambers rifle and the last big hurtle is the elaborate patch box. I have had to modify the profile somewhat because I was using up surplus parts and used a butt plate that is significantly different from the one Jim used. However, the domed door had to go in first, so here is the recent, minor progress toward finishing the rifle.
(https://preview.ibb.co/nk9Zwk/Chambers_Copy_54.jpg) (http://ibb.co/eQMgbk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cAOSGk/Chambers_Copy_53.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nxpdNQ)
Cutting out the top and side plates now along with the silver inserts.
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Dave,
Beautiful job as I just saw Jim's rifle a couple of weeks ago at his class. I am in the process of building one of his Issac Haines rifles and am progressing but have a couple of questions. How do you get your slots so neat on your barrel loops? I drilled 3 1/16" holes in a row and we used a bit to open them up but they are to nearly as uniform and neat as yours. I have thought about grinding a small round needle file to slightly less than 1/16" or making a small saw out of a hacksaw blade but you probably have a better idea.
My next question is after you file and scrape your brass buttplate, what do you use to finish out the butts plate or other brass furniture? Do you use graduated finer grits of emery or sandpaper? Thanks in advance and am looking forward to seeing this rifle completed. Good luck and good building.
Elkhorne
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That's going to be a beautiful rifle. The ebony on the cheek piece will look great. I'm anxious to see it done.
K.C.
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Ok.....I need to clear the work bench of all the half finished projects I have had sitting around for a year....so I can load it up with another batch of half finished projects !!! I realized that this Chambers copy is complete except for the patch box and the finishing operations. I started in again on the patch box only to realize that I cut the opening of the box a little too large for the type of release mechanism I wanted to use. I didn't leave enough wood at the rear end of the box
(https://preview.ibb.co/hj7b95/Chambers_Copy_57.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bTk7Gk)
After I removed wood for the release spring mechanism, I had broken through the wall to the inside of the box.
(https://preview.ibb.co/cyrgbk/Chambers_Copy_58.jpg) (http://ibb.co/koWQ2Q)
To recover the mistake, I made a patch that forms a new rear wall on the inside of the box cavity.
(https://preview.ibb.co/k6GEwk/Chambers_Copy_59.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nnak2Q)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kkjZwk/Chambers_Copy_60.jpg) (http://ibb.co/c2nnGk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gHBshQ/Chambers_Copy_61.jpg) (http://ibb.co/k9fk2Q)
Having made that repair, I cut out the side plates and soldered in the silver flower parts. Just need to complete the inletting and the engraving on the box now.
(https://preview.ibb.co/bve1bk/Chambers_Copy_62.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mwV7Gk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/fS2b95/Chambers_Copy_63.jpg) (http://ibb.co/joedNQ)
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Were any rifles built with a similar cheek piece? Bueatiful looking rifle.
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All the parts of the patch box are fitted, inletted, and ready for engraving. I have to say, this particular patch box was a real pain in the......well.....neck. I have never had to fiddle with a patch box so long and hard. Gives me an even greater appreciation for Jim's skills as displayed on the original rifle he built.
(https://preview.ibb.co/eqKOp5/Chambers_Copy_64.jpg) (http://ibb.co/j7gshQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mi8uwk/Chambers_Copy_65.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nORQ2Q)
Next step is to finish the final engraving on this rifle on the patch box parts. Staining and finishing to follow that.....and I will be happy to have this rifle finally finished.
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Don't know how I missed this post originally, but I'm sure glad you started it up again! What a beautiful rifle! Outstanding work Dave. Can't wait to see it when it's finished.
Capt. David
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Beautiful work, Dave. Well done man - WOW!
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Dave Excellent work. What I really commend you on is your attention to details. Like not having the three little holes in the bottom of the patch box from drilling. An other things. Can't wait to see the finished gun....Oldtravler
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Started the patch box engraving......this still needs some clean up work. Tried to make it look like Jim's as much as possible, but he's a @!*% fine engraver and I am a little out of practice ! Hard to copy his work and do it justice.
(https://preview.ibb.co/gtshhQ/Chambers_Copy_66.jpg) (http://ibb.co/eCYBbk)
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Dave , I wish my engraving was as "out of practice" as yours . SUPER !!! work . Keep us posted . Thanks Nathan
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Looks Wonderful! - You are right about the patchbox - It's been 3 weeks and I'm still working on inletting mine... WOW - You did a fantastic job..
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Outline engraving on patchbox door:
(https://preview.ibb.co/fXGa2Q/Chambers_Copy_67.jpg) (http://ibb.co/i7arbk)
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Patchbox lid completed:
(https://preview.ibb.co/gGAJNQ/IMG_2474.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cXPOp5)
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Finished with the patch box engraving.
(https://preview.ibb.co/g8uTNQ/Chambers_Copy_68.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mGYzU5)
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WOW :o
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Ya. WOW
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My engraving looks like it was done with a cold chisel by comparison.
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Dave
Outstanding, but then we expect no less from you. You always do such great work.
Bob
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The First two posts after the patch-box picture mirrored my response on seeing it.
Special!
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Dave, I stand in AWE. Fantastic work. WOW has already been used as I found this post and read the whole thing and stared at every photo. Thanks for sharing. General
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Excellent work, Dave! That turned out really nice!
Ed
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Dave: your engraving is remarkable. I would have to think that Jim would consider your work a nice tribute to his fine rifle and craftsmanship.
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Thanks to all. I appreciate the kind comments. I'm just glad I don't have to put this rifle side by side with Jim's to compare them.....
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Your work is spectacular, it would stand up well next to anybody working today. Beautiful workmanship throughout, very refined and crisp. Let me add my thanks to all the others for posting your progress.
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Finally getting close.....starting the finishing process. I have decided that I like the ebony cheek piece with the stained maple, so I will leave it and not fall back on "Plan B".
(https://preview.ibb.co/hit52Q/Chambers_Copy_69.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bKpdNQ)
The patch box looks better with some stain on the stock as well.
(https://preview.ibb.co/fpgEwk/chambers_Copy_70.jpg) (http://ibb.co/d8Oip5)
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Im looking forward to the finished pics ;D
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Finally getting close.....starting the finishing process. I have decided that like the ebony cheek piece with the stained maple, so I will leave it and not fall back on "Plan B".
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi139.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq300%2Fdavec2_photos%2F36%2520Cal%2520Chambers%2520Copy%2FChambers%2520Copy%252069_zpsr5nmdee9.jpg&hash=00c0827bfa52f91c372f8cac41bdfea31807ae29)
The patch box looks better with some stain on the stock as well.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi139.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq300%2Fdavec2_photos%2F36%2520Cal%2520Chambers%2520Copy%2Fchambers%2520Copy%252070_zps3on9liat.jpg&hash=9be3c1e966173d38fa900b8da3c0d815aeba5d5f)
Your work is always good. But your carving has improved over the past few rifles. The carving is precise to a fault, and the background is darn smooth. I like this a lot. Thanks for posting.
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Dave , Once again you`ve knocked it out of the park. NICE WORK!!!! Thanks for taking us along Nathan
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Wonderful as I would expect.
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Just crazy beautiful. I wasn't sure I'd like the ebony on the cheek, but after seeing it, I cannot imagine the rifle without it. Bravo! God bless, Marc
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Thank you for the kind comments. I finished the rifle tonight....just did the final assembly. Too dark (and raining !) tonight to take pictures. Will try to take several tomorrow. I am generally pleased with how the rifle turned out. This time I tried the scraping and burnishing method of final finishing on the wood. Not as "slick" as some other methods, but I like the overall look and, since the 18th century gunsmiths could not run down to the auto parts store to get sandpaper in various grits, it probably looks more like the rifles originally did. While no one with a trained eye would mistake this rifle for Jim's original, I learned a lot by just trying to emulate Jim's style.
Will try to get some pictures posted tomorrow.
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Well....it's finished. In truth, this one would never be confused with Jim's beautiful rifle....and the pictures are not even as good. I took them with a cell phone under rainy skies. Overcast is good....rainy, not so good. Anyway, here we go......
(https://preview.ibb.co/kwUkz5/Chambers_Copy_Finished_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/i8SG6k)
(https://preview.ibb.co/hqWLXQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bZAse5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iA0se5/Chambers_Copy_Finished_3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/giOZsQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/fq97CQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gVTdK5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/fNsNe5/Chambers_Copy_Finished_5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/epHoK5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cetjsQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_6.jpg) (http://ibb.co/h3xAXQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/hoHYmk/Chambers_Copy_Finished_7.jpg) (http://ibb.co/f0G4sQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bALm6k/Chambers_Copy_Finished_8.jpg) (http://ibb.co/n6CcCQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/fSGR6k/Chambers_Copy_Finished_9.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mNDjsQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dQaKRk/Chambers_Copy_Finished_10.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mFG4sQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mttTK5/Chambers_Copy_Finished_11.jpg) (http://ibb.co/nQU2e5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/g4OHCQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_12.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mybtmk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/j82oK5/Chambers_Copy_Finished_13.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ejxNe5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/fCv8K5/Chambers_Copy_Finished_14.jpg) (http://ibb.co/h0xcCQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/i2ScCQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_15.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iRaVXQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/nQZeRk/Chambers_Copy_Finished_16.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bzqxCQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kxi66k/Chambers_Copy_Finished_17.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cMTHCQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jVijsQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_18.jpg) (http://ibb.co/m2JHCQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dV9eRk/Chambers_Copy_Finished_19.jpg) (http://ibb.co/e9iTK5)
(https://preview.ibb.co/bLWtmk/Chambers_Copy_Finished_20.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bxNzRk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dXSYmk/Chambers_Copy_Finished_21.jpg) (http://ibb.co/m0zPsQ)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iKZPsQ/Chambers_Copy_Finished_22.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iphYmk)
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Nice, nice and nice. Most of you guys make me wanna take up golf. :/
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Beautiful work Dave2 from one end to the other. You are a very talented craftsman. Copying Jim's work is no easy feat because Jim is a very talented craftsman. Congrats for a job well done.
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Hi Dave,
Fabulous rifle!! Your carving and engraving have laser precision and perfection. How do you get your backgrounds so level and clean especially with curly maple. I always end up with some rippling here and there that I never can see until the finish is applied. There are times when I went back and cleaned up the background and then stained and finished the spot over again. Again, beautiful gun.
dave
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Dave that is one fine rifle. As other's have said. Your attention to detail is superb. Also thank you for the excellent series of pictures. It's almost like holding the rifle first hand. Oldtravler
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Absolutely fantastic!!!
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Disgustingly perfect. Now I have to try harder. That nick and dot border is flawless. Not many engraver can do that as well as that.
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SWEET!
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Dave , As usual STUNNING !!! your work is always a treat to behold. Thanks for posting . Nathan
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Truly remarkable work Dave. Your attention to those tiny details makes a huge difference in the overall appeal. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ebony overlay on the cheek piece...it looks to me that there was likely enough wood there without it, but perhaps not enough to emulate Jim's work. I see this rifle as a wonderful tribute to one or our very best contemporary builders, and you pulled it off with a gold medal.
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Thank you to all for your very kind comments. It truly was done as a tribute to Jim's work....just as the last one was a tribute to Jim Kibler's work.
JerryWH....the engraving is getting better but the fact that it is any good at all is due to your patient instruction (and I need to come get some additional lessons...will talk to you about that again in the spring.)
Smart Dog...I am not pleased with the smoothness of the background. The pictures make it look smoother than it really is. I did do a lot of scraping and burnishing, but, as you mention, it is very difficult to get a smooth background surface especially on curly maple. And again, thanks for the tip on using the Sutherland & Wells polymerized tung oil finish. I love that stuff !
D. Taylor ....after being uncertain for quite some time, I have decided I like the ebony cheek piece, but you are correct, I could have done without it. As far as details go, it is much easier for me to copy someone else's work as the original builder has already exercised his own artistic talents and creativity. All I have to do is copy the details of the original. I did add some engraving to the rear ram rod pipe and the trigger guard that were not part of Jim's rifle, but that is partly just me fighting off my tendency to engrave any surface that looks too plain. (i.e. It is killing me not to add something to the bow of the trigger guard !)
And again....thanks to all for the encouragement, past tips, and kind words. Merry Christmas to all and all the best in 2017 !
Sincerely,
Dave C
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I like it a lot. As Taylor said details make it.
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I think it looks fantastic. Excellent carving and engraving. I'd sure like to have one that nice.
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That is the most perfect patch box I have ever seen. Disgusting.
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I can only dream of building something like that Dave. Beautiful!
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That is a remarkable piece. Obviously made by highly skilled and experienced hands. Love the carving. Engraving is impressive. Well done and thanks for sharing the pictures.
The tung oil finish, was it rubbed in by hand? Did you use the interior or exterior type? What sheen was used.
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Beautiful! Thanks again for sharing.......Bob
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Gumboman,
My apologies....I missed your question from last week. I use the interior grade of Sutherland & Wells polymerized tung oil in the high luster grade. I mix it 50 / 50 with pure gum turpentine. The first coat is flooded on for about 15 minutes with a small brush. Dry spots are re-wetted during that time. (I leave inlays, patch box, etc., in place during the finishing process.) After 15 to 20 minutes, I wipe everything off with a cloth and let it dry...in the sun (if possible) and on my "stock rotisserie". The first coat has little or no luster at all. Subsequent coats (usually not more than 3 or 4) are done by dipping the tip of my finger in the 50 / 50 mix and rubbing it as far as a small bit of it will go. Once I have rubbed it all over the stock, I try to wipe it all off and scrub the carved ares lightly with a clean tooth brush. This leaves a very thin coat that dries quickly. With each coat the sheen level increases. If I intend to darken the recesses of carving, etc., I rub in bone black (ala Jim Kibler's method) on the second coat and before I wipe the stock down. Sometimes I do that again on subsequent coats. Got this general technique and recommendation on the S & W tung oil from Smart Dog.
Hope this helps and Happy New Year to all.
Some links:
http://www.sutherlandwelles.com/original.html
http://www.sutherlandwelles.com/instructions/PTO/GunStocks-PTO.pdf
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Well, I finished this rifle in December, but am just now getting clear of work enough to go shoot it and get it sighted in. As I was gathering up my shooting gear, I realized that all of the "Gunner's Mate" shooting tools I have made for my other rifles only work on a .45 caliber rifle or larger and this one is a .36. So I modified several of the normal parts to make a patch box kit of the most useful items. Here is the whole mess disassembled. Includes a ram rod "T" handle, turn screw, worm, adapter, touch hole pick, jag, ball puller, and knapping face (the handle end of the pick):
(https://preview.ibb.co/jCDcGk/Chambers_Copy_RR_Parts_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ccyoNQ)
And then put together as they are stored in the patch box in a small leather sleeve:
(https://preview.ibb.co/fp6a2Q/Chambers_Copy_RR_Parts_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jw0Pwk)
The "T" handle on one end of the rod (for ball pulling where a better grip on the rod might be required):
(https://preview.ibb.co/c1tzU5/Chambers_Copy_RR_Parts_3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kb8oNQ)
Ball puller on the business end of the rod:
(https://preview.ibb.co/cn4HGk/Chambers_Copy_RR_Parts_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hB9jwk)
The adapter and worm on the rod end:
(https://preview.ibb.co/g2TNhQ/Chambers_Copy_RR_Parts_5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ia4v2Q)
Adapter and jag on the rod:
(https://preview.ibb.co/ik6m95/Chambers_Copy_RR_Parts_6.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hEEv2Q)
Touch hole pick in use:
(https://preview.ibb.co/jLFUU5/IMG_0745.jpg) (http://ibb.co/m8HyNQ)
Turn screw:
(https://preview.ibb.co/khsnGk/IMG_0746.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bDbEwk)
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Stellar!!!!! - - Let me know if you have a few extra kits laying around :D
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That`s as slick as boots on a rooster !!! I like the compact design. Good Job Dave !! Nathan
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Dave,
Fantastic job on the rifle and love your compact tool for all purposes. It is really neat that it all fits neatly in the patch box! I am planning on getting back on my Chambers rifle very soon and will get in touch when I do like we talked in the late summer. Great build!
elkhorne
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That's a neat tool.
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I have been communication with Barbie about ordering more locks and parts from Jim Chambers. In discussing the new projects with a friend, he asked if I had pictures of the process of building a copy of one of Jim's beautiful rifles. I had sent him the link to this thread about the time of the whole dust up with PhotoBucket. He just sent me a note telling me there were no pictures ! So I took the time to replace all the old PhotoBucket links......Again, my apologies for resurrecting old news.....
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I am glad you reposted the pictures Dave. It is such a loss when searching for something only to find the pictures gone. Being fairly new at this site I spend a lot of time searching and reading. It is such a great resource.
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Dave,
Again a fantastic job and a goal for all of us to shoot for, the trip will be fun no matter how ours turn out. You are a true artist and craftsman i will put up against any. Also, like you say, after the Photobucket mess, this site has lost so many good photos on so many articles it is truly a shame. That was Great of you to take the time to repost your photos anew!
We all thank you. I'll get in touch with you sometime son and discuss the Acraglass procedures for beefing up the breech area for us that are still working on our inletting skills. Thanks again!
elkhorne
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Thank you for your time redoing all the photos. It's not just here, it's on all forums of all types that lost great info because of how photo sharing is kinda being held hostage. You do great work that everyone can learn from and aspire to be able to do.
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Thank you for the kind comments. I use the "Search" feature of this site quite a bit and used to be frustrated when the photos of some posts were no longer in the thread because the original poster had moved them or....whatever? Now it is really frustrating as most of the photos are gone. So, little at a time, I am replacing as many of my own photos as I can get to. I'm glad they are of some use to others as well.