Chambers Isaac Haines - first build

[RHoyle]

Well, it's starting to look like a rifle.  I used to shoot in a mountain man club with my Dad 20 yrs ago and then fell away from it, and then a year ago for whatever reason I wanted to give it a go again and decided I wanted to build my own gun.  After reading about every thread on here I decided Chambers was the way to go, so my wife bought me this Isaac Haines kit.  I've been working on it for a year now and learning a ton.  I've made plenty of mistakes, but I am hooked on this building flintlocks, which is funny cuz I've never shot a flinter, only percussion.  Anyway, if anyone has any comments or suggestions I'd like to hear em before I finish.  I wanted to do a fully carved rifle, but having no prior experience building or carving I figured I better stop here before I do something I regret.  Thanks for looking!
-Roger

[HardBall]

I think your doing great for a first build, I'm envious.  I'll be starting on my first build soon, also a Chambers Kit.  I'll probably take me a year as well.

[LehighBrad]

Awesome job! Especially for the first build. I especially like the molded sliding wood patchbox. I wouldn't complain if ya decide to post a few more pics of this rifle. Perhaps an end view of the butt plate, so we can see how the dovetail fit looks, or a muzzle shot of the nose cap area. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see it finished.

[wattlebuster]

Wow. Your first build looks way better than my fifth build. Post more pics when ya get the time

[RHoyle]

As requested, more photos. 

[LehighBrad]

Wow...thanks for the additional views!   A rookie master best describes you. If my 1st build turned out like that, I probably would've quit building for fear of never being able to top it. Now I'm REALLY looking forward to the finished rifle.

[RHoyle]

Thanks for the kind words.  I am getting anxious to finish it also...and get it out in the field.  I am thinking of doing A.F. and Chambers oil for the wood.  And then I need to get the barrel cleaned up and some sights on it.  Just installed the touchhole hole liner the other day.

[KLMoors]

It looks good to me too. Wait for the more experienced guys who can give you some tips, but two things that I noticed were:

I think you can show a little more barrel by dropping the sides of the stock a little, and, the patchbox lid looks too wide and thick to my eye.

Really nice overall job though.

[Mark Elliott]

This is a very good first build, particularly the carving.   I do have some suggestions.   First the lock panels need some work.   Leave the back with the beaver tails pretty much as they are but slim down the panels at the top and bottom of the lock.   1/8" is thick enough.   Next, the lock panel in front of the lock is WAY too big.   It should be no longer than the portion of the lock panel behind the rear of the lock, and it is too thick.   Again take the top approach down to about 1/8" before you start your transition to the front curve.   I wouldn't start the top of the lock panel moulding any further than 1/4" forward of the pan/bolster.    In other words slim the front of the lock panel way down.    Of course don't shorten up the front of the lock panel if you don't have the wood to shorten the front of the sideplate panel to match.   The front and back of both panels need to seem to line up when viewed from the top or bottom.  The actual profile of the panels can vary a little as no one would notice.   This can be useful in leaving an even amount of wood around the side plate.

Next,  the lock needs to be finished.   The plate and cock should be filed and polished.   Also,  it looks like the lock may be set at little deep.   That is fine as you build the rifle, but as you finish is up, it should be taken down level with the bottom of the lock plate bevel using a plane and mill file.    The thickness of the lock and sideplate panels should match.      

Third,  the tang carving looks a little high/heavy.   The raised carving should usually only be about 1/32" high.   You can take it down a bit, if necessary, using a mill file.   Also,  I think some type of modeling is in order to lighten up the foliage.  

[smylee grouch]

It might be my old eyes but the patch box sides seem to me to have a slight hump in them, might be the photo angle or just my old eyes. If there is a hump I think a slight and I repeat slight tapper from back to front on the width and thickness would look nice.  Smylee

[Larry Luck]

The rifle is looking really good.  I read Mark's comments and believe they are good suggestions.  A lot of carving done by first time builders is too high.  The only reason my tang carving on No 1 is low is that I had to file off the first attempt and not a lot of wood was left for try #2!

Your wood to metal fit looks quite good.

My comment is that the buttplate and maybe the triggerguard look like they have been buffed or otherwise polished to a high shine.  Maybe it is the photography.  Pumice and then rottenstone, as I recall, are two period polishes.  

Very nice work,

Thank you for the photos.

Larry Luck

[RHoyle]

Thank you for all the suggestions.  So I have been trying to work the lock panels a little, hopefully I am going in the right direction.

before


After

[Birddog6]

I think ya did a Great job !  There is always room for critique & that is how we learn.  One has a tendency to leave the patchbox lids a lil thick, as it is a bit scary when ya thin one down, for fear of screwing up a well fitting lid. However this must be taken into consideration when you set the screws into the brass, as to where you want it to finish out.   Myself I would prefer the accent line of the molding at the rear of the stock to be a lil closer to the toe, and other things have already are mentioned.

Good job on the carving !  Scrolls nice & even & no abrupt places in them, not like you usually see on first few rifles.  All in all, just a Wonderful job.    Ya did Good !

One thing that does bother me a bit.......     your workbench s WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY  to clean.  You are supposed to have chips & dust & tools & $#@* all over the place  !! 

[RHoyle]

My bench is only clean because I spent a half hour trying to find a chisel that ended up being in front of me the whole time.  That's when you know you it's time to sweep up.

Thank you everyone for all the comments.  I have enjoyed the research and learning as much as the actual building.  I am already thinking of what I want to do for another build...this is addicting!

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

The lock panel above the toe of the lock.. take a look at pictures of Isaac Haines and see how