Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith

[Eric Smith]

Thought this YouTube might help some one. This is only one way of doing this job. Others may do it differently.

[Not English]

Clay, I found the video fascinating. Inletting a lock has always been my least favorite step in gunmaking. I think I'll be trying some of your techniques.

[BrianS]

I've seen a number of this guy's videos... each being both entertaining and extremely informative. I don't recall seeing this one on lock inletting, though.  THANKS... directly applicable to my current project (which is going a lot slower than I hoped). I love his persona as "grumpy" but, honestly, I find him quite charming. I've known much grumpier people... 

[rmnc3r]

I use a Dremel 220 Router Attachment, instead of a full sized or trim router,  for most of the work. Finishing up with chisels, gouges and scrapers.

I cut to depth in a couple of passes 'cause a Dremel will bog down if going too deep all at once.

[Frank]

Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.

[smallpatch]

I agree with Frank.... one slip, and get a new piece of wood.

[canadianml1]

Power tools like the Dremel allow you to make bigger mistakes faster than ever!

[Stoner creek]

Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.

It takes practice, self confidence, and finesse. 30+ years at the bench and I’ve never had to abort a project because of a router boo-boo. I’ve inlet at least 150 locks with a router.
 Inlet a lock into a scrap piece of wood. Do it two or three times. If you doubt yourself then, get your chisels out and go to hoggin’!

[Eric Smith]

Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.

It takes practice, self confidence, and finesse. 30+ years at the bench and I’ve never had to abort a project because of a router boo-boo. I’ve inlet at least 150 locks with a router.
 Inlet a lock into a scrap piece of wood. Do it two or three times. If you doubt yourself then, get your chisels out and go to hoggin’!

Lots of ways to do it. Find out what works for you. No loss in inletting a lock into a piece of scrap wood.

[Wingshot]

From my bow making days I can remember a mentor telling me this, “power tools are great for one thing, ruining hours of work in a tenth of a second.”

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.

It takes practice, self confidence, and finesse. 30+ years at the bench and I’ve never had to abort a project because of a router boo-boo. I’ve inlet at least 150 locks with a router.
 Inlet a lock into a scrap piece of wood. Do it two or three times. If you doubt yourself then, get your chisels out and go to hoggin’!

Stoner, how about a tutorial on a barrel inlet with a router??

Cory Joe Stewart

[Stoner creek]

I'm not a tech guy. Maybe someone else could film it. I give free lessons in person though. Straight barrels are a breeze.

[P.W.Berkuta]

I've use a Dremel with the router attachment and my chisels and both worked out OK. Now that my eyesight and coordination is not as sharp as it once was I prefer my chisels.

[Mule Brain]

He didn't seem very grumpy to me, and you can use power tools at your own peril

The gunsmith manual I have recommends routers for in-letting 

So much depends on experience, you have with the power tools. I inlet-ted my first lock with a large router, close to the lock plate outline. Whats nice, is you can get a flat bed depth you want much faster. I just got a couple dremels as well. If you do screw up, hopefully it will be a learning experience

Can you imagine if they had electricity in the 18th century?   

[smart dog]

Hi,
Here is use of a Dremel and round burr to widen a ramrod groove.  The precarve stock had a 1/4" groove for a metal rammer, something incorrect for the gun.  The gun required a 5/16" groove for a wooden rod.  So I pop a 5/16 burr in my dremel, lightly holding it the groove and letting the groove guide it.


This requires skill, finesse, and brass ones.

dave

[Bob Roller]

Power tools like the Dremel allow you to make bigger mistakes faster than ever!

Or fast mistakes bigger than ever.I cam e very close using my milling machine
at maximum RPM which is 3200 supposedly on a lock inlet.
Bob Roller

[Not English]

I use a round nose end mill in a milling machine for cutting the ramrod groove. Most endmills will fit in large routers. It wouldn't take much to set up some sort of guide if a milling machine isn't available to cut the ramrod groove. Straight barrel channels kind of fall in the same category.