Forearm help

[magyar]

I am at a point in my first build where I need to establish the top line of my forearm wood from lock to muzzle. Is there a rule of thumb for how high or low it should be? I have another rifle with the top running dead center down the side barrel flat. It is a straight barrel. The rifle I am working on has a swamped barrel. Does this make a difference? Also, how do most of you go about marking and cutting this area down? Ay tricks that could make it as simple as possible?

Another question..should the contour of the forearm match the contour of the barrel? Or should it be straight?

I appreciate the help. This forum has been a fantastic help.

[smylee grouch]

Forearm hight shoulg go down center of side flat or a tad below, forearm thickness should follow the contour of the barrel, about 1/8 inch or so, maybe a little less.

[JDK]

What "school" or style of gun are you building?  It makes a difference.  Lehigh's leave most of the side flat out of the wood while many Lancaster's really bury it.

As far as taking the wood down, I like a scary sharp low angle block plane for this task.  The low angle is made to slice end grain smoothly and this is of great benefit in this area, especially on maple with curl.

Enjoy, J.D.

[Acer Saccharum]

Unless you have a gun to copy, with a known height, I say make approx 2/3 of the barrel side flat exposed. Less wood up the side flat helps the rifle with the appearance of being slim.


The gun below has almost the entire side flat showing. Not to say that this is right or wrong, but you will see so many different treatments on originals, that it boggles the mind.