AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: smallpatch on June 22, 2018, 09:06:42 PM

Title: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: smallpatch on June 22, 2018, 09:06:42 PM
Building another Southern gun, and am curious about how to drill those pear shaped holes I've seen on some. 
I think they're kinda cool looking.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: P.Bigham on June 22, 2018, 09:49:44 PM
I’d use a foster bit to drill hole then shape with a gouge if that’s what you have in mind
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Joe Schell on June 22, 2018, 10:57:11 PM
It this what you had in mind? I did this one like Paul said, drilled a round hole then made a ramp to the bottom with a gouge.
(https://preview.ibb.co/gAwoh8/0617181554a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dLBcaT)
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Joe Schell on June 22, 2018, 11:06:08 PM

(https://preview.ibb.co/eZbDh8/0617181559.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mVGDh8)
This picture shows better how the back slopes down to the bottom of the round hole
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: smallpatch on June 22, 2018, 11:15:45 PM
Joe,
That is exactly what I was thinking about.  I Guess I was making it too complicated. 
I was thinking about a spoon bit, so the hole is round at the bottom as well.
It's hard to tell from the photos..... what size was the original drill bit?
Thank you Sir.
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on June 22, 2018, 11:31:50 PM
I'd just trace a spoon for the shape, and googe away.
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: rich pierce on June 23, 2018, 12:15:38 AM
Maybe just sharpen and case harden a spoon!  Ok enough silliness.
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Joe Schell on June 23, 2018, 12:22:55 AM
On that rifle i used a 3/4" bit.
I drill the hole then roughly draw the area i want gouged out, after the gouge i clean the ramp up with a rat tail file. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes.
(https://preview.ibb.co/hPo45T/0622181611.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n2aj5T)
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Dennis Glazener on June 23, 2018, 01:32:04 AM
I drill my hole on an angle. I start with a smaller bit and keep on increasing the size until its what I want, usually 3/4" or 7/8" then shape it like Joe does. The reason I do mind this way is I build mostly Gillespie's and it appears that is the way they did theirs.

BTW I would be eager to know of any originals other than one of the Gillespie's that did their grease holes this way.
Dennis
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: davebozell on June 23, 2018, 03:14:23 AM
I used a spoon bit for the one I installed in my Gillespie.  It was about 7/8" diameter.  I started drilling straight into the stock and then rotated the bit toward the lock.  It was pretty scary to drill, but I think it came out very well.
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Cades Cove Fiddler on June 23, 2018, 03:27:20 AM
 ;) ;).... This'uns about 40years old,... I added the taller hole after I got her,... looked plumb nekkid without one,...  cut hole in like the other boys said,... stock was already finished so I just scorched the hole lightly, sealed with linseed oil and added taller,...best wishes,... regards,  Cades Cove Fiddler
(https://preview.ibb.co/da3caT/23031608_10212861323039799_5512584440462259507_n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k2ZTh8)
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Cades Cove Fiddler on June 24, 2018, 07:02:58 AM
 ;) ;)... Dennis,... on page 52 of Dave Byrd's " Greasy Cove" book on Unicoi Co., guns, is a good picture of an Isreal McInturff rifle with an identical tallow hole to the Matthew Gillespie gun in the National Park collection which is on display in Townsend,....... I sometimes wonder if the "taller-hole" was added later by the owner,...???
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Marcruger on June 24, 2018, 06:30:22 PM
Those southern common-man rifles just look right with the tallow hole to my eye.  I especially like the spoon shaped ones.  They are as eye-catchingly appropriate as a patchbox, and I'll wager a good bit easier to do too.  Some fine looking beauties shown in this thread.  God Bless, Marc
Title: Re: Pear shaped tallow hole
Post by: Dennis Glazener on June 24, 2018, 08:14:00 PM
CCF,
Yes now I remember it, had forgotten about it. I can't find my copy of David Byrd's Greasy Cove book (got to build a bigger book case)! I should have the KRA CD and in day or two and I will look at it again.
Dennis

;) ;)... Dennis,... on page 52 of Dave Byrd's " Greasy Cove" book on Unicoi Co., guns, is a good picture of an Isreal McInturff rifle with an identical tallow hole to the Matthew Gillespie gun in the National Park collection which is on display in Townsend,....... I sometimes wonder if the "taller-hole" was added later by the owner,...???