AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Daniel Coats on April 25, 2021, 02:57:18 AM
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I decided to build a pine stock blank for my upcoming Soddy project. The purpose being to work out some design features and brainstorm a few things in advance. My 48 inch Rice barrel is out for delivery as I write this and I can start the layout process. Bob Roller triggers and walnut stock blank from Allen Martin are due next week. Kibler lock is on order and should arrive in about 3 weeks. My iron for hand forged hardware is on hand so I can start that soon.
Anyway thought I would share my project kickoff.
(https://i.ibb.co/ZmpfcQb/PXL-20210424-232556629.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m8VRhnP)
(https://i.ibb.co/rfGJ2hh/PXL-20210424-232612889.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mFC75KK)
(https://i.ibb.co/4JtHN6R/PXL-20210424-232626751.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QXQ4m2v)
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Best wishes with this build, Danniel. It will be quite interesting to follow, if you are so inclined to include us on the journey.
Please Do.
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Today's pictures of my blank that's headed towards being a template maybe. None of my parts are here yet so this is just a rough idea of what I think my Soddy is going to look like. Learned a lot today including how to cut a straight line with a cross cut saw. Specifications are 13 1/4 inch pull three and a half inch drop 5-in butt plate and a comb line that angles above the top of the barrel by one quarter inch. Things that catch my eye that need improvement are the wrist area which needs to be more rounded and the bottom of the toe brought up a little bit. Stock seems to fit me so I'm pretty happy with it so far before I move on to Walnut. Comments and thoughts are welcome.
(https://i.ibb.co/MGmWwTf/PXL-20210425-210024802.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dLR1C9t)
(https://i.ibb.co/DYFn1qN/PXL-20210425-210741562.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gd8CrnG)
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I've never seen a gun built in this manner before. Interesting indeed. :)
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Thanks Daryl, I haven't seen one built this way either but seems like it could work and fit me which is the plan. One feature I didn't mention is when the butt plate heel and toe are touching the ground the barrel stands vertical. I've only built a half dozen or so rifles from a blank and all were copies of existing rifles that I simply traced the outline. When my parts arrive I'm going to sand all the lines off and lay out again now that I know the basic outline. The actual barrel is smaller so I think when I drop it down some my wrist problem will correct itself. Ramrod is currently drawn oversize as well.
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Excellent! seems well planned. Looking forward to watching your build
Anthony
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I've never seen a gun built in this manner before. Interesting indeed. :)
I have! Pretty much anyone who has used some of the super-curly 'maple' that DGW used to sell. "Curly pine." :P :P :P
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So it sounds like your basically making a “try stock” to test orientation and personal fit.
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So it sounds like your basically making a “try stock” to test orientation and personal fit.
Yep you nailed it. Also trying to color inside the lines of the Soddy Daisy school if there is such a thing. This is why my try stock does not have an adjustable pull but is still close to what I know will work for me.
Started out with a 1x10x6' #2 pine board from Home Depot laid out with a sheetrock square then cut into two pieces and then glued together with tight bond glue and held together with sheetrock screws while the glue dried.
(https://i.ibb.co/W2stC4X/PXL-20210426-130144359.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G5FTm4D)
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This seems like a great approach and I can personally see it taking some of the trepidation out of moving from a pre-carve stock to building from a blank. A trial run on construction - grade pine would take some of the stress out of diving into a nice piece of curly maple.
NOW, if you can actually make proper inlets in pine construction lumber, you are indeed a master woodworker / gunsmith... I've tried to cut dovetails in regular pine boards to make a toolbox and they looked like a kindergartner attempted it with a dull chainsaw.
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Daniel try an make it to the Tennessee show in Knoxville.
Their will be an original that you can check out.
Pictures don't always show the small characters that we sometimes miss. Oldtravler
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Daniel try an make it to the Tennessee show in Knoxville.
Their will be an original that you can check out.
Pictures don't always show the small characters that we sometimes miss. Oldtravler
I wanted to go but have a conflict with my granddaughters wedding.
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In thinking about the lay of the barrel (vertical), could it be the heel is a bit far forward?
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In thinking about the lay of the barrel (vertical), could it be the heel is a bit far forward?
Looks like it could be from the picture. That's why I'm sanding all the marks off and laying out again with the actual parts when they arrive. Good catch and thanks for the input!
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Pleasure trying to help out!
Now I know the stock is far from finished, but there appears barely an inch drop at point of the comb as well. Finished, this might only be 1 1/8" or so.
Will that be enough, or a real cheek cracker, especially with the current pitch. Actually, at the middle of the cheek-piece, it looks like it might be fine, however
that might depend on whether you stock crawl or not. Something else to ponder over, perhaps?
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Thanks Daryl I'm not noticing a problem the way I hold it. You're spot on though and I need to sort that out on the try stock. USPS is still late on delivering my barrel. Tiggers arrived today though so that's a nice start!
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Made a extra long ramrod drill today on my lunch break. Started with a 48-in long chunk of 5/16 rod and cut a half section out of it to match the same cut on the drill bit and then riveted it all together. Seems stable enough to drill that short section in the four end. I'll still think about it between now and when I need it and may take it to a welding shop. You can see the splice at about the 45-in mark on the sheetrock square.
My plan is to use a brace and bit to use this drill bit so there's not going to be a lot of torque from a power drill. Really want to use hand tools on this project as much as possible. Just bought an antique wood plane and some antique hand chisels made in England that arrived today.
(https://i.ibb.co/hgTMqyY/PXL-20210426-214057316.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x2rs4DF)
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Looks like you are locked and loaded for when all the parts get there. Good luck with the build. I'm waiting myself. The hardest part of a new build. Drill rod looks good!
Ken
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My stock is coming along ok. It's that butt plate that bugs me.
Made three so far. Not happy with any of them.
Heading to Jack's today. Will let the master take a look at them.
Oldtravler
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I'm fine with pictures from other peoples work in progress for a Soddy build. I wouldn't consider it a thread hijacking and it would probably help to share ideas.
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My stock is coming along ok. It's that butt plate that bugs me.
Made three so far. Not happy with any of them.
Heading to Jack's today. Will let the master take a look at them.
Oldtravler
I have a theory that I'm going to try for my first Soddy butt plate. This is how it might work out, at least at 2:00 in the morning when I can't sleep it sounds good!
Layout the stock profile and cut the round out portion for the curve. Forge just the plate that fits there for now and fit to the curve, if I like it screw it in place. Make the toe plate and rivet it to the butt plate already in place and use screws for the front portion. Shape the top of the stock comb close to the final profile including final shaping of the butt plate, forge the top of the butt plate and screw it in place and also rivet the end similar to the bottom of the butt plate. The whole process would be forging a three piece assembly in place on the stock. Take the whole thing off now and braze the three pieces together. Should be a perfect fit going back on and now do the final shaping of the stock with the butt plate assembly on the gun.
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USPS had my barrel out for delivery for 4 days but it arrived finally. Man is she loooong and skinnnny!
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Your butt plate idea sounds feasable but don't rivet it together on the stock. Drill it , thread it and put it together with a # 8 screw. Dry fit it back onto the stock before you braze it, you may reconsider brazing the toe plate. After the tang is brazed , take the screw out and rivet it. Good chance the screw will braze in and become the rivet, so make sure you are pre counter sunk etc.
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Clint, thanks for your helpful insight on butt plate and toe plate construction. I really appreciate it!
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Adjusted the drop on the try stock today and cleaned up the lines some. I will clean up and adjust one more time after my Kibler lock arrives in a few days.
Here's today's pictures showing the adjusted stock and the beautiful walnut blank that arrived today from Allen Martin!
(https://i.ibb.co/ypQt7F1/PXL-20210428-194124750.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5kRmwhy)
(https://i.ibb.co/nfx4bSb/PXL-20210428-193839268.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mtfdG7G)
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Looking good. Nice walnut stock.
Ken
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Today's pictures show the walnut stock blank with the layout lines and a closeup of where the ramrod hole was drilled. The extra long drill bit held up just fine and there was no need to weld it at the splice. The end of the ramrod hole will be ground zero and the main data point for the entire build of the gun. Next up will be locating the ramrod hole and inletting the barrel. The idea of drilling the ramrod hole first and and letting the barrel second came from Josh Wrightsman's video on YouTube. The sequence should eliminate any problems with drill bit run out.
(https://i.ibb.co/fMZq5XL/PXL-20210430-194816881.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cJRkHyV)
(https://i.ibb.co/8gmsF9W/PXL-20210430-194621081.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MkgSq7Y)
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Ramrod hole turned out perfect. You can see the location pin. Project is going well so far.
(https://i.ibb.co/sRfbLbT/PXL-20210501-004733287.jpg) (https://ibb.co/027mPm0)
(https://i.ibb.co/6HpQ9y7/PXL-20210501-005125442.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PcbkXrv)
(https://i.ibb.co/FYZdRLm/PXL-20210501-004842803.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wQG25FB)
All those cuts were done by hand with an antique crosscut saw from the ranch I grew up on. Lines drawn with a modern blue sharpie! ;D
Pencil just disappears on walnut.
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Cool! A little sanding and you'll be done!
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Cool! A little sanding and you'll be done!
;D ;D
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I'm experimenting with a different sequence of events by drilling the ramrod hole first before the barrel channel inlet on my current project. After the ramrod hole was complete I drilled a small location hole on the underside of the stock near the breech. Now that I know the exact location and depth I can draw the ramrod and barrel accurately on the stock and hopefully nail the web thickness. Next I'll locate the ramrod hole from the top and orient the barrel so the ramrod hole is moved away from the lock area slightly and leave extra wood to help support the wrist. Then I'll inlet the barrel.
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Sanded all the lines off and drew them again using the ramrod locating pin as ground zero. Much more precise than before and looked good enough to cut the top line of the forearm with the hand saw. Long tang breech plug arrived so next up will be installing it and then inletting the barrel. Noticed a good amount of stress relief in the 1/2 inch by 4 foot long piece of wood removed from the top of the forearm. This walnut stock blank is exceptionally hard and dense.
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Offset mark kicking the barrel to the right of zero. Changed my mind about inletting the barrel and long tailed tang at the same time. Proceeding now inletting the barrel one small chip at a time by hand with chisels and gouge.
(https://i.ibb.co/9ZxH7Wq/PXL-20210502-145406445.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3Rxmnc0)
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Barrels in the stock. Need to verify the web thickness at the breech using ground zero as my reference point. Might be inletting a touch deeper but we'll see.
(https://i.ibb.co/BTxcdBn/PXL-20210503-012940154.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MP4ZW7B)
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Nice! Good outline. Nice piece of wood, too.
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Looking good Dan.
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Excellent tutorial looking forward to see what’s next. Thanks for letting us be with you on your build
Anthony
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Thanks for the comments it's been a fun process so far and everything is going according to plan. I was able to inlet the barrel slightly deeper and achieve the web thickness I was looking for. Here's a picture from today cutting out more of the outline of the stock profile. Yes of course it would be faster to use a bandsaw but my experience with power tools is that yes they cut faster sometimes in the wrong place. Besides it's more fun using Dad's old handsaw he had on the ranch.
(https://i.ibb.co/4R96vT2/PXL-20210504-003856504.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tpk7jsz)
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Who says you can't use hand tools the same way they were 200 years ago? Of course my production is extremely limited and this may be the only Soddy I ever build this way. I've given her a name in honor of a hit song by Little Richard recorded the year I was born 1956. She's called Long Tall Sally. Hope y'all take a liking to her.
(https://i.ibb.co/CtXNSMB/PXL-20210504-013002488.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sPDkX6j)
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It’s nice to see someone else using hand tools. I use a frame saw to cut the stock.
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Forged a barrel underlug strip out of .065 copper. Should be enough to cut into 4 pieces. Took me 3 tries to get one thin enough not to poke through the ramrod channel. My plan is to dovetail and solder.
(https://i.ibb.co/V2pTfJ2/PXL-20210504-224120966.jpg) (https://ibb.co/18JTF78)
(https://i.ibb.co/vmXK3w6/PXL-20210504-224247212.jpg) (https://ibb.co/P4Dfcmv)
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Got the long tailed tang installed using that blue sharpie as a transfer agent. Forged two copper ramrod pipes for Long Tall Sally who's personality is showing more everyday. Really need that Kibler lock before I go much further on the wrist profile.
(https://i.ibb.co/Ybv06Tz/PXL-20210506-020650275.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QXsDZj2)
temporary image hosting (https://imgbb.com/)
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More detail on the ramrod pipe construction. Started off with .065 copper sheet 1 1/2 inches wide for a 5/16 ramrod, might make one more 3/8 but we'll see. Annealed the copper by heating up orange and quenching in water. Calculated the size to shear off and to include the lips. 5/16 x 3.14 + .25 + .25 = 1.5 so the finished sized is square 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 bend the lips on each end using a vise and a block of hardwood and hammer. Next I placed the material across the vise opening and tapped the ramrod drill into the middle using it as a mandrel. Incidentally material for a 3/8 ramrod would be about 1 5/8 x 1 1/2, layout direction would matter on that one since it's not square.
Don't see any need to temper the copper as it seems plenty strong.
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Hey Dan unless I missed it did you say what caliber it is?
Anthony
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Hey Dan unless I missed it did you say what caliber it is?
Anthony
The barrel is a .50 caliber Rice Southern Classic 48 inches long. The 5/16 ramrod hole will help keep the belly of the stock profile skinny as a teenage girl on prom night ! ;D
Ramrod is planned to be 3/8 at the front end, maybe bigger we'll see.
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Those copper ramrod pipes should look good against that walnut stock. Not sure if I seen them before on a Soddy. Will add to the cool factor...
Oldtravler
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Those copper ramrod pipes should look good against that walnut stock. Not sure if I seen them before on a Soddy. Will add to the cool factor...
Oldtravler
We will see if I use them or not. I've not seen copper pipes on any original gun. Definitely trying for the cool factor on this rifle and having a ball with different ideas!
Ended up building 4 to yield 3 and right now I'm leaning towards using them. The big one is 3/8 of an inch and goes up front.
(https://i.ibb.co/thSQdLh/PXL-20210506-185515650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RS1Y5jS)
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Daniel just remember one thing. Just because we haven't seen it. Doesn't mean it didn't happen. We all go by existing examples. Never say Never but I could be wrong but hey it would be cool.
Duprey uses it all the time. So it's your gun to for it...
Oldtravler
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I believe I will use them!
Jack Duprey and me in the same sentence now that's a first! 8) LOL
Like I told my friend Don Bruton, makes me happier than a dog rolling on a dead skunk! ;D
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Dan, the Bridger Hawken has the toe plate and butt plate riveted together. When the Green River Rifle Works had the rifle in 1977, they took the assembly off in one piece. I think maybe the toe had gotten broken off, there is about 8 inches pitch down at the muzzle compared to only about 3 inches on the Carson Hawken. I riveted my first copy of the Bridger Hawken.
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Daniel,some of G.W Hatfields later rifles had copper ramrod pipes. They were made in Indiana but he learned to be a gunsmith in Fentress County Tennessee.
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Dan, watching your build with interest. Thanks for taking the time.
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I know of one smr with copper pipes, because I made it (black cherry with a southern accent on this forum) I like the copper pipes and will use them again. I actually try to put a little bit of copper on all of my guns just for color.
Clint (https://i.ibb.co/VSW3sdk/entry-pipe.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ncsRFTK)
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Dan, the Bridger Hawken has the toe plate and butt plate riveted together. When the Green River Rifle Works had the rifle in 1977, they took the assembly off in one piece. I think maybe the toe had gotten broken off, there is about 8 inches pitch down at the muzzle compared to only about 3 inches on the Carson Hawken. I riveted my first copy of the Bridger Hawken.
Thank you Herb!
My plan also is to rivet the toe plate and butt plate together. This will be done during construction to help hold everything in place and before the final shaping. This should also protect the delicate wood area in the toe against breakage in the shop.
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Daniel,some of G.W Hatfields later rifles had copper ramrod pipes. They were made in Indiana but he learned to be a gunsmith in Fentress County Tennessee.
Thanks for the reference to original rifles using copper ramrod pipes. Also good to know the location!
Much appreciated!
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Dan, watching your build with interest. Thanks for taking the time.
Bob I appreciate you watching and feel free to comment if you see something that needs attention! This rifle really speaks to me and I'm thrilled to share the experience. One of the main reasons for my documentation is to record it for the time when I can no longer remember how I did it and why!
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I know of one smr with copper pipes, because I made it (black cherry with a southern accent on this forum) I like the copper pipes and will use them again. I actually try to put a little bit of copper on all of my guns just for color.
Clint (https://i.ibb.co/VSW3sdk/entry-pipe.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ncsRFTK)
Man Clint your rifle looks fantastic wearing that copper and black cherry outfit! I've often thought copper has a certain warmth in how it looks. I hope my rifle looks as well as yours when I'm done!
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Still working from home with Covid going on but managed to get a bit more done today. Got the end of the tang shaped the way I want it and started the in-letting. My plan is to set the top line of the wrist and inlet the tang all the way along the center-line of the barrel. This won't be necessarily the center-line of the stock because of the offset I made to leave extra wood in the lock area.
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This under lug I hope will help keep the web thin on my current build. The lug will be dovetailed only about 1/32nd inch deep and the key is about 80/1000 thick. Part of the keys thickness will be in the dove tail and the rest of it will be in the lug as I have cut the center of the lugs base out to allow the keys passage. Lug was made out of a scrap piece of over head door opener track and is thick so will take some extra work to dress it down. I don't know if some thing like this will help Daniel keep his web thinn or not but might be food for thought.
(https://i.ibb.co/jvZ6JN8/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Kjz0KP5)
(https://i.ibb.co/wMDnCj9/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TmzQRdV)
upload a photo (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/WzSd3S1/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jw7x57F)
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Hey thanks for the idea! I've often used scrap material laying around. I once built a southern mountain rifle trigger guard out of a piece of angle iron from a bed frame. The copper material I've been using lately is also scrap I had laying around. Keep those ideas coming!
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Well Sally got her tang installed today. Had to make a judgment call on the wrist profile but I like it better now that it's rounded a bit. Also cut down the long tang to the length I wanted it rounded it and then got it inlet as you can see from the pictures.
(https://i.ibb.co/C09jLk6/PXL-20210507-211145401.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rypB9C3)
(https://i.ibb.co/5RY8WTV/PXL-20210507-210955082.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tJZsMB5)
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Hey Dan ..
Is that stick of walnut working okay? .... Your project is looking fine !!
Al
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Hey Dan ..
Is that stick of walnut working okay? .... Your project is looking fine !!
Al
Thanks Allen for helping pick out the perfect stock for my project! It was fun talking it over with you and then you hand selecting what could work out leaving me with a choice between two candidates. That blank curls out pieces with a gouge like an ice cream scoop through Chocolate ice cream. I noticed too what you mentioned about it being dense and sounding like a piece of hard maple when the end was set down against the shop floor.
Thanks too for your comment on my project! ;D
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Okay, the next three pictures fall under the category of things that matter but don't count. Just like preseason football! I did want to take some critical data just to see where weight and balance point are going.
The first picture shows the current balance point at the rear ramrod pipe.
(https://i.ibb.co/nD8R1sd/PXL-20210508-135147270.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9q3G49K)
Next picture shows how I rigged up to weigh the rifle country boy style. Y'all got to have a John Deere dog leash and a set of turkey scales suspended beneath one of the family cattle brands.
(https://i.ibb.co/f1HYVQy/PXL-20210508-140712188.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7YKJxbZ)
There's a ton of wood yet to be removed and I'll be adding on hardware but this is where we're at at the moment. 8 1/2 pounds or so for now is on target.
Hope you enjoyed the morning ranch report! ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/kDqWfPf/PXL-20210508-140816059.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B6TSxYx)
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Installed and inlet one of my experimental copper barrel lugs. Turned out to be successful and did not break into the barrel channel. Ended up being a little less than 1/8 high. These were super easy to make and look good. One day someone's going to take the barrel out the stock and do a double take! :o ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/fNVhtYd/PXL-20210508-223656611.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QH72nFv)
(https://i.ibb.co/pxJFv3g/PXL-20210508-223546721.jpg) (https://ibb.co/47PrZjc)
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That lug looks good nice meat job.
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Progress report for Long Tall Sally on Mother's day. Got the handsaw out and cut two slabs off the sides of the forearm. Finished up making the copper barrel lugs, installed, drilled and pinned to the stock. Barrel smoothed up draw filed and muzzle crowned just a skosh.
(https://i.ibb.co/gvVkm4K/PXL-20210509-230508599.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B4N0cnM)
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Daniel, really enjoy reading along as you build this rifle!!! Good job on the ramrod/barrel inlet method. It sure makes it easier for me doing it this way. Its going to be a fine looking rifle!
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Daniel, really enjoy reading along as you build this rifle!!! Good job on the ramrod/barrel inlet method. It sure makes it easier for me doing it this way. Its going to be a fine looking rifle!
Thanks Josh!
This is my first attempt using this method and it really works well! I'll probably do it this way from now on. I watched your video so many times I had your voice stuck in my head the entire time! LOL ;D
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Thanks Josh!
This is my first attempt using this method and it really works well! I'll probably do it this way from now on. I watched your video so many times I had your voice stuck in my head the entire time! LOL ;D
Oh geez now thats a scary thing!! Ian Pratt did that to me one time. Had to drink a case of PBR to make it go away so I could finish engraving a rifle. 🤣
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Installed and inlet one of my experimental copper barrel lugs. Turned out to be successful and did not break into the barrel channel. Ended up being a little less than 1/8 high. These were super easy to make and look good. One day someone's going to take the barrel out the stock and do a double take! :o ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/fNVhtYd/PXL-20210508-223656611.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QH72nFv)
(https://i.ibb.co/pxJFv3g/PXL-20210508-223546721.jpg) (https://ibb.co/47PrZjc)
You might consider not making the dovetail so deep. They only need to be around .030 or so. That is with an iron underlug. I don't know if a copper one will hold as good at this depth. perhaps a reason just to make them out of steel or iron. You can fold them out of thin steel and braze just as easily as something like copper or brass.
Jim
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Thanks Jim, I believe mine are about .06 deep but didn't measure the depth. They felt really solid.
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Word of caution concerning the depth of the dovetail for the barrel tenons...
I believe the point of Jim’s post is to cut the dovetails only as deep as necessary, to avoid creating a weak spot in the barrel.
I didn’t see the dimensions or caliber of your barrel, but I can tell you that years ago I had to replace a .45 caliber, 13/16 “ barrel because it had a bulge in the bottom of the bore that exactly coincided with the position the rear barrel tenon.
Jeff
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Word of caution concerning the depth of the dovetail for the barrel tenons...
I believe the point of Jim’s post is to cut the dovetails only as deep as necessary, to avoid creating a weak spot in the barrel.
I didn’t see the dimensions or caliber of your barrel, but I can tell you that years ago I had to replace a .45 caliber, 13/16 “ barrel because it had a bulge in the bottom of the bore that exactly coincided with the position the rear barrel tenon.
Jeff
Point well taken. Thanks for the comment!
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Reamed and polished the inside of the copper ramrod pipes. Started making the trigger guard. Lock shipped today!
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Today's picture shows two of three pieces of my trigger guard relaxing on the arm of the sofa. One more piece to go with the decision if it's making the cut or leaving the forge still pending.
(https://i.ibb.co/sRMsD8S/PXL-20210512-001022821.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GpbC1zw)
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Not liking the trigger guard I'm making. I'll probably advertise on the items for sale/wanted.
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Lock arrived today thanks Jim!
(https://i.ibb.co/XzVy5KR/PXL-20210512-191902713.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K9mNsfv)
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Ramrod blanks ready to go in Oak, Ash, Maple, Maple. Hand select straight grain 52 inches and about 3/4 inch square. Plenty of wood to select the best but all look good.
(https://i.ibb.co/sWKs8kk/PXL-20210518-135144408.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y0cfHYY)
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I can't remember anyone posting a thread on the ALR who is having as much fun building a project than you. Really great seeing you put this all together. Keep up the good work.
David
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I can't remember anyone posting a thread on the ALR who is having as much fun building a project than you. Really great seeing you put this all together. Keep up the good work.
David
Thanks David having fun is the whole point! I appreciate the comment too! ;D
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Next up is my latest trigger guard. I thought an interesting in process picture would show the technique that is finally working for me. Making the thinner areas first helps dramatically getting it to bend where I want it to. Leaving them long makes a handle for leverage. After that I'll cut and continue.
Here's the longest trigger guard I've ever seen! ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/6FvL2Fj/PXL-20210518-190916480.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fH8LbHj)
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I really appreciate the masters of yesterday and today. I have to make at least 3 of everything just to get close. At any rate here's my trigger guard ready for brazing and filing. It looks like a 3 piece but the grip rail and tang are 1 piece folded over and riveted making it a 2 piece assembly.
(https://i.ibb.co/fnHC5mG/PXL-20210518-213501035.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CMQnZxs)
(https://i.ibb.co/1dTpd0C/PXL-20210518-213453718.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jWDxW8C)
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Not liking the trigger guard I'm making. I'll probably advertise on the items for sale/wanted.
Nope, changed my mind I will continue making my own. Posted a picture of one today that's just good enough. There is a method of manufacture that works for me. Thin the material first in the places that will need it while flat and it makes bending in the right place possible if not easy. 2nd there's a ton that can be done with the hammer if you pay attention while beating hard and light blows depending on need in the right place. You can almost thin material to a straight line with a hammer.
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Today's picture shows two of three pieces of my trigger guard relaxing on the arm of the sofa. One more piece to go with the decision if it's making the cut or leaving the forge still pending.
(https://i.ibb.co/sRMsD8S/PXL-20210512-001022821.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GpbC1zw)
Smart junk...If I knew then what I know now.
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Inlet the lock plate today but still needs to be a whisker deeper. Rounded the tail on the Kibler lock and it took a big dose of courage to take a file to a $300 lock! Rounded tail though goes with the design picture that I have in mind and the quality of the Kibler lock simply can't be beat.
(https://i.ibb.co/gW0cgLg/PXL-20210519-225435544.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LgTspXp)
(https://i.ibb.co/Fg2qG4n/PXL-20210519-225532587.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V2RpXY3)
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Inlet the lock plate today but still needs to be a whisker deeper. Rounded the tail on the Kibler lock and it took a big dose of courage to take a file to a $300 lock! Rounded tail though goes with the design picture that I have in mind and the quality of the Kibler lock simply can't be beat.
(https://i.ibb.co/gW0cgLg/PXL-20210519-225435544.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LgTspXp)
(https://i.ibb.co/Fg2qG4n/PXL-20210519-225532587.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V2RpXY3)
Looks like you got the tail of that lock just right. It’s easy to be too cautious right there.
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This has been a fun one to watch.
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Drilling the sear hole with Dad's old brace and bit.
(https://i.ibb.co/6gjcpxs/PXL-20210520-192200134.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V2f0hZB)
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This has been a fun one to watch.
Thanks Mike!
I can wrap my mind around doing this for fun cuz it sure ain't for the money! LOL ;D
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Looks like you got the tail of that lock just right. It’s easy to be too cautious right there.
Thanks Wayne being able to see and visualize details is the best tool we got!
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Lock is on the rifle and the bolt came out exactly where I wanted it to. I used to have to do this by drilling from both sides and meeting in the middle with an undersized drill bit. Trying to decide now if I want to go with one lock bolt or two. I lined up the front of the lock plate so that I could use a forward screw but still thinking about it.
On a side note at no point during the inletting of the lock did I break into the ramrod channel The offset really worked and I'm bound to use that same technique again.
(https://i.ibb.co/MBTBMyP/PXL-20210521-225623838.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2Z2Zg0c)
(https://i.ibb.co/j47jCXH/PXL-20210521-225801288.jpg) (https://ibb.co/88FQyZX)
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I dont build. But I am enjoying this.
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Looking good Dan. Lots of lessons being learned,and taught to others. Thanks for documenting this build. Heck, I might even learn sumpin. Best regards, Dave F in WVa 8)
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I dont build. But I am enjoying this.
Thanks Keith, I'm documenting this build mostly for my own entertainment. I would love to attend one of Mike and Wayne's gun building classes.
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Looking good Dan. Lots of lessons being learned,and taught to others. Thanks for documenting this build. Heck, I might even learn sumpin. Best regards, Dave F in WVa 8)
Thanks Dave I really appreciate it!
I'm always on the lookout for learning new things and find that my best mode of learning is by showing and explaining what it is I'm trying to do.
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Here's a picture I took this morning of a piece I trimmed off the side of my stock with a hand saw. There's definitely a technique to cutting something this thin and my justification for not buying a bandsaw. I held the stock vertical in my pattern makers vice. The handsaw is much wider than the narrow bandsaw blade and provides stability if you hold it lightly in your hand and not force it one direction or the other. The band saw is great for cutting circles but there aren't many on a long rifle! ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/BrKZgKF/PXL-20210522-142301232.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WPpycpj)
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I'm going to go with a single lock bolt. Here's my first side plate I think it's good to go for the finished rifle. So off it goes into my growing pile of Soddy hardware.
(https://i.ibb.co/myzXfD1/PXL-20210522-191458113.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WzKPmxq)
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Trigger plate inlet and tough to avoid gaps at the ends because of the the curvature of the stock.
(https://i.ibb.co/DYF7qKD/PXL-20210525-011000892.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kJThdcg)
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Looks like a fine job to me. I don't see any gaps. I can't wait to see you work that "wonky" Soddy buttstock and cheek piece. I've always liked the Soddy rifles.
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This is really cool. I love that you are doing it with brace and bits and hand saws in addition to the interesting techniques.
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I love it!!! Doin a fine job. Like the new trigger guard,,definitely
not an easy thing to make.
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Thanks guys! I have been called back into the office this week since my company removed the mandatory face mask requirement. I am taking a 4 day weekend though and hope to make considerable progress.
I really appreciate the comments! ;D
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Lock and triggers are on the gun and fully functional now with test screws holding everything together. I can start working on the Soddy butt plate now that I know exactly where the front trigger is. At 13 and a half inch pull the butt plate is projected to be four and one quarter inches tall which is pretty close to where it needs to be. Lesson learned for next time and yes I was warned is have all of your parts available before you start laying out the stock drawings.
(https://i.ibb.co/KqvNFZw/PXL-20210529-172026385.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7Wmg2c4)
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Looks like a fine job to me. I don't see any gaps. I can't wait to see you work that "wonky" Soddy buttstock and cheek piece. I've always liked the Soddy rifles.
Thanks Mike I have been studying all the pictures I can find until my eyes cross. "Wonky" Soddy is right. Ought to be a movie made called "Soddy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Too bad because this rifle already has a name Long Tall Sally! ;D
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This is really cool. I love that you are doing it with brace and bits and hand saws in addition to the interesting techniques.
Thanks it is interesting to try to use as much of the old methods and tools as possible. Of course it's almost impossible to build one completely PC for most people. The House brothers and a few others are the exception however. For me however it's just entertainment and something to get me off of the couch. Plus it's cool to see my dad's old tools used again.
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I love it!!! Doin a fine job. Like the new trigger guard,,definitely
not an easy thing to make.
Thanks Josh I appreciate it! I'm going to build a fourth trigger guard that is smaller. The last one I built was too long to fit the wrist of the stock. Each one is a little better than the last so I don't mind spending more time and have it be the way I want it.
All of this making and remaking and then making yet another one really makes me appreciate the builders who get the results that are almost priceless when you think about it.
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Daniel wait till ya get to the butt plate. Made two of them. I was even impressed with my handy work. Showed them to Mr. D.. He was not impressed. Said the shape was right. But the plate is NOT flat.. But beveled (?) In the center. Oh well back at it. Oldtravler
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Daniel wait till ya get to the butt plate. Made two of them. I was even impressed with my handy work. Showed them to Mr. D.. He was not impressed. Said the shape was right. But the plate is NOT flat.. But beveled (?) In the center. Oh well back at it. Oldtravler
Thank you so much for the insight!
I've been thinking about this for hours now and honestly never considered using anything but flat raw material. My reasoning though may be flawed but with a flat butt plate you have more room to work with and can shape the profile as you go along forging in place. Once it's on the rifle you can then bevel from the center line towards the edges. Starting out with a beveled butt plate I think you're more limited in what can be done while installing. Meaning if you reduce the width after it's secured in place there's more potential for a gap to develop. Maybe it can be beat to fit the curve again but I'm still leaning towards forging in place with flat material.
One thing seems more certain in my mind is I have less wiggle room on the butt plate than the multiple attempts for the trigger guard, side plate, and ramrod thimbles.
Man am I having fun I love this stuff!!
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It's difficult to see a curve without realizing that it's really a series of circles and ellipses. The dark outline was the curve I drew before I had all of my parts on hand. The red lines are after the triggers were installed and establishing a final length of pull. I literally took some of my wife's dishes saucers and cups and a red clay pott from the garage and laid it on top of the stock before drawing a series of lines with a sharpie.
Next up will be clamping the stock in my pattern makers vice and getting out Dad's old brace and bit and drilling a series of holes around the curve and cutting out with his keyhole saw.
(https://i.ibb.co/689kwGJ/PXL-20210530-144147973.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xY9NLw8)
(https://i.ibb.co/X5zmHf5/PXL-20210530-150552529.jpg) (https://ibb.co/s1FL7p1)
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Dan.
I do not think there is any way for that trigger to fire that lock and it looks too far back
in these pictures.
Bob Roller
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Dan.
I do not think there is any way for that trigger to fire that lock and it looks too far back
in these pictures.
Bob Roller
It's just the camera angle Bob, it also shows the trigger pull at 13 inches when it's really 13 1/2 plus. Triggers fire fine set or unset.
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Curve is cut with the leftover piece showing in the picture. Final curve will be close to this if I change it at all. This rifle built mostly with old farming tools is somewhat backwards in that the curve is cut first then the 3 piece butt plate toe plate and comb fitted about the same time.
(https://i.ibb.co/n6C4zR1/PXL-20210530-163214593.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Xj86SV5)
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Now is the time to be very careful, mighty easy to break off those stubs of wood where you butt plate needs to go!
Bob
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Now is the time to be very careful, mighty easy to break off those stubs of wood where you butt plate needs to go!
Bob
Yes, good reminder. Thanks for the comment!
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Butt plate progress, only made one so far. Toe plate and comb are next and then we'll see if they make the cut as a set.
(https://i.ibb.co/KwBpYVR/PXL-20210530-222259912.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hfrJk2h)
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Hi Dan, just wondering if you cut yourself ? that looks to me like blood stains down the stock. Excellent posts on your project and take care Steven.
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Hi Dan, just wondering if you cut yourself ? that looks to me like blood stains down the stock. Excellent posts on your project and take care Steven.
Thanks Steven, no that's not blood it was raining while I was talking pictures. Boy that stock's going to be dark huh?
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Toe plate and a new butt plate are on and ready for a copper rivet. I'll use Dad's old rivet tool punch when the time comes. Also replace the temporary screws.
(https://i.ibb.co/G0TRd2Q/PXL-20210531-213545949.jpg) (https://ibb.co/80c9m5g)
Next up is the comb which I'll fab later this week.
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Daniel looking good. Another five pounds of wood sacked off an it will be amazing. Good job !
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Here's my free hand template I made for the butt plate. The only significance to the length was that it fit the curve of the buttstock. On installation however the small crack I noticed a week after I got the blank developed into a full split when the wood was thinded at the toe. The result was I trimmed some off of the toe rather than try and patch the wood in this very delicate area. I love this walnut stock blank but I've noticed hidden stress points throughout as I've made it smaller.
(https://i.ibb.co/qJdP4LF/PXL-20210601-123624413.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7kX6TxN)
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Daniel looking good. Another five pounds of wood sacked off an it will be amazing. Good job !
Yep, the goal is to remove the clunkiness essentially everything that doesn't look like a skinny Tennessee long rifle. Thanks for the comment!
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It's coming along nicely. Thanks for sharing the process. I think you have the shape pretty good on the Soddy butt plate. Nice job.
Ken
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Looks awesome Dan. You’ve motivated me. Can’t wait to get started on my .29 youth Soddy.
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You're getting there brother. Please proceed. God Bless, Marc
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Dad's old riveting tool punch in use for the first time in nearly 60 years. I used one of his rivets for this job. I clearly remember him using this and repairing harness leather for the horse teams we had the time. The team's names were Tom and Bird as I recall and we're amazing dapple gray work horses.
(https://i.ibb.co/4NbxtRT/PXL-20210606-004243689.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mzn7T5q)
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It's coming along nicely. Thanks for sharing the process. I think you have the shape pretty good on the Soddy butt plate. Nice job.
Ken
Thanks Ken I appreciate the comment!. One of the great challenges for this project for me is trying to get the architecture correct I've had to make everything at least three times
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You're getting there brother. Please proceed. God Bless, Marc
Thank you so much, I'm working on it as time allows! Building this rifle the way I have has taken an exceedingly amount more time than I anticipated I can only imagine what the old Smiths went through.
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Looks awesome Dan. You’ve motivated me. Can’t wait to get started on my .29 youth Soddy.
Thank you Bob, your rifle project sounds truly amazing and I also can't wait to see how you progress on it!
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Nice neat riveting job.
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Sally gotta new butt. This one is number 3 and I'm not building any more of them for this rifle. Still a long ways to go getting everything trimmed down. I'm using mostly drywall screws for my manufacturing and assembly process they will be replaced later.
(https://i.ibb.co/hDrwNPY/PXL-20210606-172142207.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SRHGghf)
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Some measurements are locked in now. length of pull 13 3/8 inches, butt plate hight 4.380, comb length 4.910. I wanted the toe longer but had to shorten because of a internal stress crack that grew into a split. Cracks are common in figured walnut so I'm told.
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Haven't posted in a while so I thought I would give a quick update. I have changed my mind several times on features for this rifle. The butt plate has been thrown into the scrap pile with other previous attempts and I'm now locked in on using a cow horn comb and steel toe plate. I like the look and it's much more comfortable to hold. Soddy Daisy style cheek rest is taking shape and this is the trigger guard that I'm going to use.
Balance point is shifting forward with the weight distribution changes.
(https://i.ibb.co/0QX8gz1/PXL-20210612-221259323.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nR0ZHK4)
Current weight is 7 lb even including the John Deere dog leash! ;)
(https://i.ibb.co/yftXRBQ/PXL-20210612-222006649.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K0dXGzr)
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By the time you get the finish on, you’ll be over the weight limit!
Bob
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Got two copper pipes on the gun and not adding an entry pipe even though I have one made up.
(https://i.ibb.co/0jFcbkd/PXL-20210613-184558859.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8Dd0ZJS)
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Brass front sight made out of folded up brass sheet stock 0.065 thick. I need this extra thick front sight so I can see it at the end of the 4-ft barrel. Should almost look like a shotgun bead way out there.
(https://i.ibb.co/J3wMVpp/PXL-20210626-235050315.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WV4YZzz)
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Stock is coming along and trimming down to a slimmer size. Seems like everyday all I get is about a dustpan full of sawdust off of this super dense walnut stock.
(https://i.ibb.co/7WqZ6jg/PXL-20210626-235321523.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vPSTKVs)
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Thinking about adding a pewter nose cap made from food grade pewter. The pewter itself was cheap enough and works easily.
(https://i.ibb.co/cxYj5ML/PXL-20210627-000450214.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qxJvGX5)
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Daniel it looks better than my nose cap... Ya I know always a smart a$$ in the group...lol
Can't wait to see how it comes out.
My pours always have holes in them... Oldtravler
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Looks nice and slim which is a real advantage. My original Clement's, Soddy has a heavy 42" barrel and is almost too heavy for an old man like me to hold at the level anymore. But then, I always did prefer those long slim guns. Great efforts for a fine looking gun. Eager to see it completed! Thank you for letting us all see how it is progressing.
Dick
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Daniel it looks better than my nose cap... Ya I know always a smart a$$ in the group...lol
Can't wait to see how it comes out.
My pours always have holes in them... Oldtravler
Yeah the trick is trying to get that yellow sticky barcode on straight! ;D
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Looks nice and slim which is a real advantage. My original Clement's, Soddy has a heavy 42" barrel and is almost too heavy for an old man like me to hold at the level anymore. But then, I always did prefer those long slim guns. Great efforts for a fine looking gun. Eager to see it completed! Thank you for letting us all see how it is progressing.
Dick
Thanks Dick I would love to see pictures of your rifle. Mine is weighing 7 pounds right now which is pretty light for a rifle with a 4 foot barrel. I'm still whittling on her but not likely to get many more dustpans full of sawdust removed.
Thanks for the comment!
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She's starting to shape up into a true Soddy. Thanks for posting the journey. I've enjoyed seeing the progress.
Cheers,
Ken
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She's starting to shape up into a true Soddy. Thanks for posting the journey. I've enjoyed seeing the progress.
Cheers,
Ken
Thanks Ken I really appreciate the comment!
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Poured the nose cap today. First picture shows the prep work and sealing all the leaky spots with sheetrock mud it dries fast and helps eliminate bubbles and leaks.
(https://i.ibb.co/5cRhHbw/PXL-20210627-164920448.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7y1tmsL)
Second picture shows the end result. The secret to working with bubbles is give them a few seconds to stop and then keep on pouring hot liquid metal over them and they tend to heal up by themselves.
(https://i.ibb.co/NsR63sc/PXL-20210627-200855370.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y3g7W3H)
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Long Tall Sally got a nose job today. Here's a couple profile pictures showing how she looks so far.
(https://i.ibb.co/mXDwnDT/PXL-20210627-200953148.jpg) (https://ibb.co/X32gn2L)
(https://i.ibb.co/vBKrN8F/PXL-20210627-201057539.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3sL8xH3)
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Wow!! Turned out great. Looking good.
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Wow!! Turned out great. Looking good.
Thanks for the comment!
That grade of pewter is by far the best that I have ever worked with and the thin delicate nature of the cream pitcher that it came from tells me you could make a nose cap of almost any dimension or thickness.
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Daniel you did a excellent job in that nose cap... She's looking great.. Oldtravler
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That nose cap looks pretty slick. Nice job for sure! You are in the final stretch.
Ken
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Front sight and white lightning vent were installed today also showing a couple of buttstock pictures. Tomorrow I'll make a rear sight probably from a bridge spike which will be the last thing I have to make.
(https://i.ibb.co/D490GXg/PXL-20210703-005211310-MP.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y2cHD9T)
(https://i.ibb.co/wzGsKG5/PXL-20210703-005356983.jpg) (https://ibb.co/W28tc8m)
(https://i.ibb.co/2tGbpnh/PXL-20210703-005342320.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qsTZ2yj)
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Hello Dan, I really enjoy watching your progress with your fine rifle. You are really putting your heart ,soul and both boots into it .Just from my point of view though , it looks like the wrist area is a little heavy ? what is your thoughts? take care and keep the updates following ,Steven.
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Hello Dan, I really enjoy watching your progress with your fine rifle. You are really putting your heart ,soul and both boots into it .Just from my point of view though , it looks like the wrist area is a little heavy ? what is your thoughts? take care and keep the updates following ,Steven.
Yes I agree the wrist is too heavy and Hawken like which I've built mostly in the past. It even has the double bolt tang to the trigger and guard assembly again in similar Hawken style. I wanted to avoid the severe pinched wrist look and achieved that but lost some of the original intended slimness. All the way through this build I've needed to make 3 or 4 of everything which tells me I'll be building more Soddy guns before I'm satisfied.
Thanks for the comment! :)
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Are you going to slim the wrist down, or keep it like it is?
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Are you going to slim the wrist down, or keep it like it is?
Keep it like it is. In order to bend the tang down it would also make it relatively shorter and leave a gap. The only option would be to replace the tang which I'm not willing to do.
Here's a picture of my Chuck Edwards rifle with what I'm calling a pinched wrist which is what I'm trying to avoid.
(https://i.ibb.co/Vxymhbv/P1050219.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bFhJyYr)
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Started browning the metal parts and finishing the stock today. I'll post pictures tomorrow when there's better light.
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Last coat of brown for tonight we'll see what the morning sunshine brings. Stock finish should cure overnight in the garage which is quite warm. I might go with a light coat of flat black and then rub back we'll see though how it looks and decide. Speaking of decisions the rear sight was finally voted in as a store-bought TOTW sight because my bridge spike sight attempts just didn't look good enough to me so they are scrapped and in the Soddy scrap pile.
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Daniel maybe we could have a recycled Soddy parts sale ?
Seriously looking forward to your completed rifle.
Oldtravler
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Daniel maybe we could have a recycled Soddy parts sale ?
Seriously looking forward to your completed rifle.
Oldtravler
No kidding huh? ;D ;D
Rifle is done today! I'll post pictures
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Well the wait is over and Long Tall Sally is done and born on the 4th of July just like me! Today is my birthday and our country as well.
(https://i.ibb.co/cLgr64F/PXL-20210704-163424418-MP.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8cK7r15)
(https://i.ibb.co/8xSrXrZ/PXL-20210704-163419268-MP.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Ydqcbcs)
(https://i.ibb.co/7XK0xyW/PXL-20210704-163137737.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DtQjPKC)
(https://i.ibb.co/yFdZ7tr/PXL-20210704-163010896.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4RKX3zH)
(https://i.ibb.co/3vBSkwP/PXL-20210704-162913917.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pQJ4ngk)
(https://i.ibb.co/hyCNcGh/PXL-20210704-162726102.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t436z0k)
(https://i.ibb.co/Vg8bHfd/PXL-20210704-162602395.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D9nmG0N)
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There's a fairly long list of material used in this build. I made most of the hardware from scratch using farm tools as much as I could.
Materials used: Walnut, Iron, Steel, Copper, Brass, Pewter, Hickory, and cow horn from a Texas Longhorn steer.
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Final weight on the digital whiskey scale 7 pounds 5 ounces. 8)
(https://i.ibb.co/2tHJS2n/PXL-20210704-184823359.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mqgp0sD)
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Here's Little Richard performing Long Tall Sally. Play it once and you're hooked!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfhmVmhL7s
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Dan,
Thanks for sharing the journey with us. I've enjoyed seeing the progress and your post. Looks like you got yourself a fine rifle and best of all you made most all of the parts. Nice job.
Cheers,
Ken
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Dan,
Thanks for sharing the journey with us. I've enjoyed seeing the progress and your post. Looks like you got yourself a fine rifle and best of all you made most all of the parts. Nice job.
Cheers,
Ken
Thanks Ken it's been fun for me sharing the experience. :)
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I think it turned out great. And Happy Birthday!! Keep us posted on results at the range.
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What's the next project?
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I’ve really enjoyed watching the build, Dan. Thanks for sharing all your trials and tribulations.
And beautiful rifle, too.
Bob
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Happy Birthday to the both of you, I hope you spend many years together!
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Happy Birthday! And you don't look a day over 245!
Your rifle looks splendid as well.
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Daniel well done an the added features make it very special to the eye. You did a nice job.
Oldtravler
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Dan,
Thanks for sharing the journey with us. I've enjoyed seeing the progress and your post. Looks like you got yourself a fine rifle and best of all you made most all of the parts. Nice job.
Cheers,
Ken
Yep, store bought lock, barrel, triggers, and rear sight.
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I think it turned out great. And Happy Birthday!! Keep us posted on results at the range.
Thanks, I've spark tested and gave a modest 4th of July salute with a very light charge. Hope to get out and shoot some down range yet today.
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What's the next project?
Not sure but probably another Soddy. I've got a curly maple blank from Allen Martin. Might build a PA brass mounted gun though still thinking on it.
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I’ve really enjoyed watching the build, Dan. Thanks for sharing all your trials and tribulations.
And beautiful rifle, too.
Bob
Thanks I appreciate it! It's had it's share of ups and downs for sure. One of the big lessons learned is to have all the parts available during the design phase. I spent a lot of time adjusting here and there that seems unnecessary now looking back.
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Happy Birthday to the both of you, I hope you spend many years together!
Thanks that's always the plan huh? ;D
Part of what happens though is the rifle is somewhat immortal and lasts for centuries in some cases. The rest of us are only caretakers for a short time. ;)
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Happy Birthday! And you don't look a day over 245!
Your rifle looks splendid as well.
Thanks I look good for 75 problem is I'm only 65! ;D ;D
I appreciate the comment, rifle turned out pretty well for being built with dad's old farming tools. I think a lot of old guns were made pretty much the same way. I did concede to a drill press for the bolts and screw holes.
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Daniel well done an the added features make it very special to the eye. You did a nice job.
Oldtravler
Thank you so much!
Hope to see pictures of your rifle someday too!
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Well when I get back to it. Have had both 👀 done. Good old cataracts. Now maybe I won't need all four lanes to drive on or is that two ? Oldtravler
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Build complete on the 4th of July. Sights are lined up and shoots to point of aim with my hunting load. It will keel... ;D
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Nicely done, Daniel.
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Send me a PM if you really like this rifle