Bending the patchbox

[Jerry V Lape]

I was wondering how others bend patchboxes to fit the contour of the buttstock?

[E.vonAschwege]

I have a hard maple block with several contours carved into it.  I've done both of the following: set the flat patchbox into the carved channel and hit it with another block of wood and hammer.  Also have put the block into the vise with another narrower convex block on the opposite side of the jaws and used a more controlled action with the vise.  The vise is nice for bending the hinge section in a controlled manner. 
-Eric

[Tim Crosby]

  See if this helps:

   http://www.flintriflesmith.com/ToolsandTechniques/making_a_curved_box_hinge.htm


  Tim C.

[davebozell]

I've used a vise and maple blocks as Eric described, and it worked very well.  I'd recommend it highly. It even worked well to add a slight curve to the hinge. 

[T*O*F]

I just put my thumbs on the back and hook my index fingers over the edges and bend it.  Geez...it's only soft sheet metal.

[Gary Tucker]

I picked this up somewhere, and I can't remember where.  I cover the buttstock with wax paper.  Mix up a good portion of Bondo[automotive] and put it onto a piece of scrap 2x4.  Turn the Bondo side down onto the stock and press.  Let it set a few minutes and remove.  Let it set a few more minutes then you can lay your patchbox onto the bondo and carefully hammer it into the exact shape of the stock.  I use a contoured piece of wood between the hammer and the patchbox.  I hope I explained it well enough.

[Gaeckle]

I just put my thumbs on the back and hook my index fingers over the edges and bend it.  Geez...it's only soft sheet metal.

That's what I do......I can also tip the edges a bit with an adjustable wrench.

[rsells]

I use a swedge block I purchased several years ago that has several contours in it.  I take one of those tools (not sure of the name) that carpenters use to take profiles off moldings or hand rails to make replacements to take the contour of my stock where the box is going to be mounted.  I pick the profile on the swedge block that best fits my stock.  I then use a thin piece of leather  to protect the box from the swedge block and another to protect it from the hammer I use and ping the box in the profile that best fits my stock.  A bit of a tidious work, but it works for me.  I fit the hinge after the lid and final is bent to fit the stock. 
                                                                                  Roger Sells

[gusd]

G.T.
Great way to  shape , never thought of it.
Will try it on next build!
Thanks
Gus

[Gary Tucker]

gusd, be sure and open the windows because that stuff smells very potent.

[Jerry V Lape]

Great suggestions, thanks for sharing.  Wish I had hands still capable of bending the finial and hinge, but old hands with several arthritic fingers/thumb makes it necessary to use other techniques.