TODAY IS/WAS THE DAY!!! Finally.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Today was it fellas.  I have wanted to build a rifle since I was about 15.  I am now 34, graduate school is done, I have a job that pays a little more than rent, so I figure now is the time.  I keep putting it off for better circumstances and actually having a shop, but if I keep doing that it will never happen.

So today I started.  I made my trigger.  I used the method Hershal House describes in the Foxfire book using hacksaw and files.  I did heat and mushroom the area for the trigger shoe as well. 

I have never worked with steel before and I am pretty happy with how it came out.  Still some filing to be done to clean it up and get the finished width that I need.  If I can tomorrow I will make a plate similar to the way Peter Alexander describes in his book. 

Now you may be wondering why make the trigger first.  Because it is all I have right now.  I am going to the Harrisonburg show thiss weekend and hope to score some more parts there, and once tax time rolls around I am going to call David Keck for the biggest part of the project. 

Yeahhhhhhhhhh!

Coryjoe

[roamer]

Go for it!.This functional art form that we are enamored with is somrthing all things good fellows are here to support in knowledge and encouregment.
Youve engouraged me to make my own "LEFT HAND BEDFORD CAP HAMMER"

[bgf]

Congratulations -- a job (no small feat right now, from what I hear) and a rifle started.  If your cash inflow vs. outflow is as close as my first real job out of graduate school was, you might as well take advantage of the situation and make everything you can, and that trigger is a good start.  Also, you might as well do it now before marriage (if it hasn't happened already) and kids put your hobbies in the backseat for a while.  I have a couple of decent shop areas and actually prefer to work at the dining room table (not too fancy, mind you) most of the time, with the kid and wife around...makes a mess, but I get away with it, at least so far, so don't feel like you are missing something vital and need to wait.  You can do the rest outside when the weather picks up and/or make friends with people who have garages/shops/etc..

[LURCHWV@BJS]

  I know how ya feel man. Tax time is the only time I can buy parts.  Contacted Dave Keck.... He's the Man


    Rich

[wetzel]

Congratulations!  I think you've got it right, and should quit putting off the project for the perfect opportunity that may never come.  In a way your time spent thinking, planning, wishing, and reading about building guns has not been a waste.  Now as you work on your project you will be able to avoid many mistakes that would otherwise have happened due to ignorance.  I first started building rifles sitting at the kitchen table and finished two guns that way, while gradually building up my tools.  Good luck finding some parts.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. 

My shop right now that I use for horns and will modify to build a rifle is pretty simple.  It is a 2 by 6 with a vice mounted to it.  I place the two by six on a knee high wall that makes up my carport and then i straddle the 2 by six and that is how I work.  The only draw back is it has been very cold here, bt is looking up.  I am also making plans to pad the seat.

Coryjoe

[Rasch Chronicles]

How about a picture of your accomplishment?

(Just to clarify, the trigger, not the 2X6!)

Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Big Hogs and Bigger Dogs!!

[Cory Joe Stewart]

I will post a picture.  I want to clean it up a little bit first. 

Coryjoe

[Frank Barker]

Coryjoe.....If your rifle turns out like the rest of your work, you will have yourself one fine gun. Regards  Frank