Filing Flats on Butt Plate

[StevenV]

My question: this is a #12 BP from Reeves Goehring, ( 1792 J.Feree, J. Dickert, Lancaster) . I am looking for pics of 3 flat BP can’t seem to find any. The BP came thru with a most definite 3 flat design with the top flat narrower then the 2 side flats, any pics? Also, the “flat next to the brass, it’s not really a flat. How wide and have you seen the brass go right to the wood without that little “transition “ flat??
StevenV

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

What you have accomplished is good.  Very nice inletting on the butt plate too.  The flats don't have to be exactly the same in size and can in fact be slightly convex rather than flat.  The transition at the end is also good.  The flats should not go right to the wood.  What reference books do you have?

[StevenV]

Thanks for the info Taylor. I have a lot of the reference books. Went and checked again and found 3 flats on a William Antes (pg. 100, 1st. Moravian Book). As a whole I see 5 flats predominately unless it's a Lehigh. While checking, looks like the Dickert on pg. 127 comes to the wood without that "transition flat." Yet I have to agree with you most do not, even if the "transition flat" is but 1/32 to a 1/16. Oh to be able to handle a few  originals , and a few more and a few more.                 StevenV

[louieparker]

StevenV ...... This may not be of help but another example to look at.. Its five flats on a Jacob Dickert....LP

[flehto]

When filing the 3 flats, I try to make them pretty flat....also, the top flat should be wide enough for the ctsk of the screw. The small flats that border the wood should be narrow and I like a maximum of 1/16"......Fred

[Daryl]

Beautiful work, Fred.

[flehto]

Daryl....thanks for the kind words....will miss building, but that's life. Have both  2-1/2X and a 3-1/2X Optivisors and still can't see well enough to even dare to  make an attempt  at building. …..must be getting worse because I'm now  getting  "eyeball shots" every 6 weeks...….Fred

 

[StevenV]

Well it’s done. Not sure correctly, point of concern is where wedding band meets two side flats. From the back side wedding band sticks up too much above flat. If it were 5 flats this would not have been an issue. Sure would like to see original with 3 flats and wedding band. As you can see I left about a 1/16” “transitional flat.” StevenV

[Stophel]

I would work that center flat down, if possible, to make it as wide as the side flats.

[Craig Wilcox]

Those little 1/16" side 1
flats" are a pain, but look greatly better than NO little side flats.

Fred, my heart goes out to you with your eye problems.  My vision was so bad for so many years that I developed a phobia about things coming near my eyes. I cannot fathom getting "eye ball shots" while remaining conscious.

[Daryl]

StevenV - I think Craig's suggestion on the middle flat is a good one.
I do not see those rises to the rings as being noticeable. I'd not have notices unless you brought it up.
Fred - so sad to read about your eye sight. Life's gifts suck big time, now and then. Stay strong & healthy.

[Jim Evans]

What file is best to use on cast brass butt plate to get a smooth surface?

[rich pierce]

I have a bunch of medium sized half round files and go from a regular file to a #2 half round to a #3 half round file. A #4 just kind or rubs so I stop at a 3. Then abrasive or burnishing depending on look I want.

Sometimes I use leather soaked in oil with pumice powder. It gives a soft finish.