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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Ed Wenger on March 24, 2023, 05:44:48 PM

Title: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 24, 2023, 05:44:48 PM: Last week I traveled to PA to assist in a Kibler Kit class for Vets through an organization called “Hunts for Healing” (HFH). HFH is a local (and I think excellent) organization dedicated to helping combat wounded Vets reconnect with civilian life, share like experiences with other Vets, and navigate other issues associated with their experiences. Throughout the year, HFH hosts various events such as family river float trips, turkey hunts, flintlock deer hunts, etc. One of the most popular events is the Kibler flintlock building class.

This year we assembled the Woodsrunner kit. Kevin Dougherty (WkevinD), a fellow ALR member who lives in the area, also assisted again this year with the class. Kevin has been involved for the last few years, and his expertise and contribution is greatly appreciated, and very beneficial. Wayne Blaker (another close by ALR member) also stopped by for a day. Always great to see Wayne!

A little on the Woodsrunner…. Jim hit this one out of the park! Especially for someone who has never attempted this sort of endeavor, it’s absolutely amazing. The fit and finish, the attention to detail, it’s ease of assembly, to me, makes it the perfect “starter” kit. I’d have to admit, that for me anyway, I’d probably want to move onto something a little more advanced such as a Chambers kit, but for a first time builder, this is perfect. Definitely sets one up for success, so very well done Jim!

There were six Vets attending the class, and each was paired up with a “mentor”. The mentor is another vet who has previously attended the class and has at least one gun under their belt. Each Vet has their own workbench and all the tools needed to assemble the rifle. Each Vet pays half the cost of the kit, and HFH picks up the other half.

We started the assembly process on Wednesday right after lunch, and shot their fully finished rifles Saturday morning! We even managed to fit in a pheasant hunt Friday afternoon. One of the things that helps is that the Vets are housed at the facility where the kits are assembled. Typically, after dinner, they’re at it again so they’re not just working during the day. It’s up to them as to how much, or if, they even want to work after dinner, but all typically do. They get some good work time, and I think it adds to the experience and bonding. Plus there’s more than a few laughs along the way!

Some random photos of the class:

(https://i.ibb.co/5LCbTgT/1-B8-C01-F2-E5-FC-46-C8-96-F7-D7-AE203-F5-A4-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0r1HqRq)

Kevin schooling up one of the Boys
(https://i.ibb.co/X4DBpXq/5-C858-F5-C-D8-C3-49-DC-8-DC8-3-A5-EED00-B78-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4f2yMWH)

(https://i.ibb.co/CPD7mB0/53-FEA76-A-220-E-4569-85-C6-4317598253-AA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6XLPrYs)

(https://i.ibb.co/7Shf3Zf/13-EE6824-1-E94-4-A2-E-BEC4-32-CA2998-CA69.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BfkphQp)

(https://i.ibb.co/WtDZpJQ/C9-DE36-F3-3-F66-4-A5-B-8-AA6-1-DB62-F8-B357-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xHmW8Ty)

(https://i.ibb.co/6nSY8Bg/D7373-AE8-4510-4-C0-E-A8-C7-B1-B1-E981-F0-CB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/C1yB62h)

(https://i.ibb.co/cFbHj6s/1963125-E-3-AA3-4-E1-F-8891-76-E4-A0720-A06.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d2bqRPH)

I had something else going that evening, so unfortunately, had to leave Saturday before they shot their rifles, so didn’t get any photos of that event. Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Old Time Hunter on March 24, 2023, 05:49:32 PM: Great stuff! Great cause ! God bless these vets and, all those involved!
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Tim Crosby on March 24, 2023, 05:57:50 PM: Kudos to all involved.

Tim
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Daryl on March 24, 2023, 06:41:57 PM: Excellent project and kudos to those involved.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Jim Kibler on March 24, 2023, 07:44:02 PM: Thanks for posting this. Glad to see that the class went well! I like the looks of the finished rifle shown. Has a nice aged, mellow look...

Jim
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Turkeycreek on March 24, 2023, 07:58:31 PM: What a fantastic project! Thanks to all involved for supporting these vets!
TC
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: john bohan on March 24, 2023, 10:38:20 PM: I say thanks as a Vet, things sure have changed since I came home from Nam.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Wingshot on March 25, 2023, 12:42:44 AM: PM sent OP. Great program!
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: WKevinD on March 25, 2023, 02:39:37 AM: Ed,
Thanks for the shout out, much appreciated.
This is something I look forward to every year. Just a small payback for what they have given. These guys work hard individually and help one another without reservation a pleasure to be a part of. Their pride in their success is glorious.
Jim these Woodsrunners are the finest yet that I've worked on, the early SMRs and the Colonials were great, and now the Woodsrunner, all nice but these are the best so far.

Thanks,
Kevin
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: oldtravler61 on March 25, 2023, 02:44:36 AM: Well done Ed and for a great cause... Our Veterans....
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 25, 2023, 02:44:56 AM: John…, unfortunately, I get it. I can say it’s not lost on any of these guys either. Thanks for your service!!

Well said, Kevin! I too look forward to this event, good stuff for sure. Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Wingshot on March 25, 2023, 02:59:21 AM: Those work stations are interesting, any plans available? The T-track set up on top is intriguing as well. Good looking rifles!
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Larry Luck on March 25, 2023, 03:51:27 AM: Ed,

Thanks for your good work and for the post.

Larry Luck
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 25, 2023, 04:31:06 AM: Jeff…, I’m not sure about the plans, would have to check with Pete.

The T-track set up was done by someone here on ALR. I don’t know who it was, hopefully they can chime in. Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: J. Talbert on March 25, 2023, 04:39:26 AM: Well done gentlemen!

Jeff
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Wingshot on March 25, 2023, 04:57:13 AM: Ed,

I studied the photos and they look to be a simple affair, which is right in my wheelhouse, lol.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Pukka Bundook on March 25, 2023, 06:59:31 AM: Wonderful idea and great to see it working!!
Brilliant!
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Martin S. on March 25, 2023, 02:54:15 PM: Well done, guys! Thanks for your service to our veterans!
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Cmbtgrnt on March 25, 2023, 08:05:32 PM: I had registered for this class in the fall. I wish I had been one of the lucky guys to have been selected to attend.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 25, 2023, 08:57:15 PM: Quote from: Cmbtgrnt on March 25, 2023, 08:05:32 PM
I had registered for this class in the fall. I wish I had been one of the lucky guys to have been selected to attend.

Sorry it didn’t work out. They get a lot of applications for this event, it’s one of their most popular. Hope you can try again for next year. Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: phatton on March 25, 2023, 08:59:47 PM: I have the honor and privilege of being the president of Hunts For Healing. I have plans for the benches. These benches are easily disassembled and reassembled as needed. Contact me at phatton.ptd.net if you would like a copy. The tracked vises and the adjustable vise holding the trigger guard were made for us by Robert Boggs - a member of this site. Check out our web site huntsforhealing.org. For the Vietnam guys: this organization was established by a group who lived during the Vietnam times and wanted to ensure that Vets returning from the post 9/11 conflicts are treated better than we were.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: TommyG on March 26, 2023, 02:13:02 AM: Ed, Hats off to you Kevin and all who are involved in making this event work for our vets. TommyG
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Dennis Glazener on March 26, 2023, 11:44:08 AM: I think this is a worthwhile organization and in case anyone would like to volunteer to help or maybe make a donation, here is the URL to their website : www.huntsforhealing.org Information on volunteering and donations are toward the bottom of the home page.
Dennis
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Jeff Murray on March 26, 2023, 11:50:36 PM: Wouldn't it be great if we could have similar classes in other parts of the country to support even more vets. Living out west makes a lot of these type of muzzleloading events difficult to attend for western folks/vets. Kudos to the organizers and participating gun builders.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: smylee grouch on March 27, 2023, 03:01:09 AM: Thank you for your service, vets and teachers alike.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Curtis on March 27, 2023, 09:14:29 AM: Thanks so much for your efforts Ed! Worthy cause. It's good to see you pay it forward.

Curtis
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 27, 2023, 10:27:30 PM: Quote from: Curtis on March 27, 2023, 09:14:29 AM
Thanks so much for your efforts Ed! Worthy cause. It's good to see you pay it forward.

Curtis
Thanks, Curtis…, but there’s waaaay more people who make this happen. I just show up and help where I can. Pete (phatton) is the real organizer and driving force behind the event. Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Martin S. on March 28, 2023, 05:45:47 AM: Quote from: phatton on March 25, 2023, 08:59:47 PM
I have the honor and privilege of being the president of Hunts For Healing. I have plans for the benches. These benches are easily disassembled and reassembled as needed. Contact me at phatton.ptd.net if you would like a copy. The tracked vises and the adjustable vise holding the trigger guard were made for us by Robert Boggs - a member of this site. Check out our web site huntsforhealing.org. For the Vietnam guys: this organization was established by a group who lived during the Vietnam times and wanted to ensure that Vets returning from the post 9/11 conflicts are treated better than we were.

I tried the phatton.ptd.net address, but it came back as not found.

Did I type it wrong?
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 29, 2023, 04:02:52 AM: Should be phatton@ptd.net. Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Martin S. on March 29, 2023, 04:22:45 AM: Thanks, Ed, that worked.
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Ed Wenger on March 29, 2023, 04:48:37 AM: Great…, you’re welcome! Best,

Ed
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Berdar on October 12, 2024, 05:55:13 AM: I hate to bring up an old topic, but will,there be a 2024 or 25 veterans class? I have a guy in mind that could probably benefit from something similar?
Title: Re: Veterans Gun Building Class
Post by: Craig Wilcox on October 12, 2024, 07:24:27 PM: Ed, how much materially did HRH supply, and how much by the Vet? Did the VA help at all?

Being a disabled Vietnam Vet myself, have been wondering if maybe I could ~~con~~ er, um, talk to the VA here in central Ohio into a program such as this. I'd sure volunteer as a mentor, and agree the Woodsrunner is a splendid product.