Author Topic: Ol' Plugs FINITO! (Read 4577 times)

Mike Brooks · « **on:** May 04, 2020, 06:20:33 PM »

Here it is. As I said before, this was an experiment in Lehigh architecture. I dropped the comb down to 1 1/2" drop. Unfortunately it dropped the tail of the lockdown which ended up locating the vent on the lower part of the side flat instead of the high part.

The cure here would have been using a different lock such as the Dale Johnson with the droopy tail which would boost the lock location up....live and learn. The Albrecht lock from Zornes would have worked well too for this drop.
The patches are kind of disapeared....better than worm holes. I left more file marks on the mounts than usual, didn't want to jack up the price more than I had to. All the carving is in simple relief, same old pattern I always use. Need to draw out a new pattern for the next one, getting lazy.

This is the most "uncurled" piece of maple I have ever used, hard to get stained the way I wanted, really hard wood. Stained with Klein's orange toner which is mostly sanded off. Then a coat of Brooks' Canary Yeller, followed by 3 coats of LMF something or other followed by Klein's dark brown. Finished with Minwax tung oil.
13 3/4" pull and weighs just under 7lbs.

Bob McBride · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:18:35 PM »

Neato! Cool sideplate. Turned out great. I really like the color as well. Patina spot on. She's a dandy!

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2020, 07:56:55 PM »

I like the rifle MIke. Your carving looks nice and clean.

Is the hammer screw turned in all the way? In your last pic, it looks like the screw isn't bottomed.

t.caster · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2020, 08:05:26 PM »

I like it MIke! I only see 2 plugs. A very folksy Lehigh! I am doing one right now too and should be done in a week or so. Some similarities are unavoidable.

J. Talbert · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2020, 10:01:27 PM »

Turned out nice Mike.

Jeff.

Jim Spray · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2020, 10:07:50 PM »

Very nice Mr. Brooks. Looks like a shooter to me!

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2020, 05:51:09 PM »

Mike as I said in a different forum...there are fancy rifles an there are rifles that have character an soul this one has Both an that folksie side to it also....YOU nailed..it...!!
Oldtravler

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2020, 09:40:03 PM »

That's just dandy! You can patch wood with the best of them. Little steam will go a long ways towards fixing all those dents though.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2020, 10:50:59 PM »

Quote from: Jim Kibler on May 05, 2020, 09:40:03 PM

That's just dandy! You can patch wood with the best of them. Little steam will go a long ways towards fixing all those dents though.

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2020, 06:12:09 AM »

Mike, you made a great looking, very usable rifle that anyone would be proud to own and shoot.

old george · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2020, 03:27:22 AM »

Nice looking smoothie Mike.

EC121 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2020, 06:45:00 AM »

Mike: Will the next one be rifled. A Lehigh is on my list.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2020, 05:05:58 PM »

Quote from: EC121 on May 21, 2020, 06:45:00 AM

Mike: Will the next one be rifled. A Lehigh is on my list.

Yes, but I hope to keep it. It's a hoyt super light swamped .44 cal. There will be others.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2020, 02:41:05 PM »

This gun works!.70gr 2ff .480 ball and .018 pillow tick prelubed with some sort of wonderlube stuff. ended up with a 2 1/2" 5 shot group @ 25 yards off hand. No slap, no kick. Boy am I wobbly.

I don't think I have shot a rifle since 06/15/17. Got done with the session and decided o take the trigger creep out and lighten up the trigger pull. Another session coming up, I expect better results with the improved trigger.
The Buffalo gnats picked me up and moved me sideways 10 feet at one point. Must have swallowed 10lbs of the pesky things.

LynnC · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2020, 06:39:29 PM »

Hi Mike,

Your Lehigh turned out great. I have much more to learn of their architecture before I attempt one.

I’d be interested in how you take out the trigger creep and lighten the pull weight. Thanks.......Lynn

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2020, 09:17:32 PM »

Quote from: LynnC on May 26, 2020, 06:39:29 PM

Hi Mike,

Your Lehigh turned out great. I have much more to learn of their architecture before I attempt one.

I’d be interested in how you take out the trigger creep and lighten the pull weight. Thanks.......Lynn

To eliminate creep I reduced the height of the full cock tumbler notch. To reduce the weight of the pull I reduced the width of the sear spring.

LynnC · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:46:18 AM »

Thanks Mike. I will file that away for future trigger tuning.

Keith Zimmerman · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2020, 03:49:03 AM »

I like the antique look to the finish. Looks great.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2020, 02:53:42 PM »

Quote from: LynnC on May 27, 2020, 02:46:18 AM

Thanks Mike. I will file that away for future trigger tuning.

I have no idea how the pros do these sorts of things so I may not be doing these things right. Has always worked for me though.

LynnC · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2020, 04:54:51 PM »

Ive only built about 20 guns and certainly wont approach your near 400. I’ll take your advise any day 😉 Thanks for the tips.

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Author Topic: Ol' Plugs FINITO! (Read 4577 times)