Author Topic: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder  (Read 4591 times)

saltland

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Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« on: January 05, 2018, 09:42:42 PM »
 The 2 books are "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle" and "Recreating the American Longrifle".Just as a side note I had previously owned"The Gunsmith of Grenville County".
Thanks.
  Scott

Offline Justin

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2018, 09:55:27 PM »
I have Gunsmith of Grenville County and Recreating the American Longrifle (RtAL). The latter (RtAL) is much better, in my view. I have not seen the other book so I can't compare those two but I know RtAL was recommended to me by others on this board and elsewhere.

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2018, 11:25:15 PM »
Recreating the American Longrifle is the book to buy, if you only want one.  You'll treasure it for the rest of your life.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline T*O*F

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2018, 12:06:36 AM »
They all contain material which isn't found in the others.  Best to buy them all if you can afford it.
Dave Kanger

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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2018, 02:14:55 AM »
Recreating the American Longrifle is the book to buy, if you only want one.  You'll treasure it for the rest of your life.
Ditto
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Offline Dale Halterman

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2018, 03:44:36 PM »
You say you previously owned the Gunsmith of Grenville County. Did you have a problem with that book?

Regarding your two choices, The Art of Building the PA Longrifle is more basis and easier to follow for a beginner. It is the first of the three that I purchased and it helped me tremendously during my second build. I don't talk about the first.

Peter Alexander, who wrote the G of GC, is also a co-author of Recreating the American Longrifle and the books are similar, although I agree that Recreating is better.

I also agree that all three books are worth having.

Not sure if that helped or not....

Dale H   

Offline BOB HILL

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2018, 03:57:39 PM »
I agree with Taylor and Mike.  If you are buying one, buy Buchele's book. It's  been my favorite all these years.
Bob
« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 04:00:19 PM by BOB HILL »
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Offline moleeyes36

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2018, 05:07:26 PM »
The 2 books are "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle" and "Recreating the American Longrifle".Just as a side note I had previously owned"The Gunsmith of Grenville County".
Thanks.
  Scott

Scott,

If you are seeking good information for a beginning builder don't overlook Mike Brooks' tutorial http://americanlongrifles.org/PDF/tutorial.pdf .  I printed it out long ago and keep a copy in my shop for general reference.  Mike was good enough to allow Dennis to put it in the tutorial section for all ALR members to use. 

I have all three of the books you listed and like the first two quite a bit, but "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" not so much.

Mole Eyes
Don Richards
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NRA Chief Range Safety Officer

Offline oldtravler61

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2018, 07:11:57 PM »
  All three books are good like other's have said. My first book was the Art of the Pennsylvania longrifle. Very easy to follow. Second was recreating...a little bit more detail an it came with a layout print full size of a long rifle. Again very helpful. Now the GGC book dang near our me over the edge. ...thought at first it was way to confusing....thought I needed a math degree to get all the measurements...any why...Then I bought the CDS to go with it....Opened my eye's big time...now I clearly understood why...because he is building a Lehigh...an as  some builders will say ...that style is one of the more difficult to get right...as far as architecture...So I am glad I have all three....but the best is getting your hands on as many well built rifles that you can an someone to explain the differences of the different styles to you...sorry for the rambling..Oldtravler

Offline WadePatton

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2018, 07:38:51 PM »
Books won't build a gun.

I've a dozen books. Not so many guns.

Get wood and metal and tools and practice on inexpensive stuff if you need shop experience. Learn to sharpen. Stay away from power tools (for the most part).  Hardwood scraps from furniture/boat makers, tools from that junk/antique store, bench/vise, technique.  It's all got to come together, no matter the book.

Hope that helps, if not you-me.  :P 

Cheers and fine carvings to ya.

« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 07:39:56 PM by WadePatton »
Hold to the Wind

Offline BadDaditood

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2018, 07:25:42 AM »
I have all three books... plus Mike Brooks' pdf which demystified and simplified many things for me and made everything look as easy as it really is.

If I had to choose only one it would be Recreating the American Longrifle.... and Mr Brooks' pdf   ;)

Offline dogcreek

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Re: Choice between 2 books for beginning builder
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2018, 10:25:00 PM »
Recreating the American Longrifle is a great reference book for building longrifles.