What I'm working on

[Tom Currie]

Thought I would post some pics of my current project. It's really an early PA Fantasy build using elements of some early existing rifles along with elements from some of my favorite contemporary builders.  My cheek side carving pattern is drawn out, I will stare at it for a couple days before diving in. Comments, nay or yay, are welcome.

Rice C weight 44" barrel  54 cal
Reaves Goerhing Jack Haugh pattern early guard heavily worked on
Reaves Goerhing Early Lancaster BP with some modification
Chambers early Germanic lock
Wood box in progress

[Acer Saccharum]

I like your carving design very much.

[pushboater]

Carving pattern looks great!

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Carving pattern looks terrific.  I would slender the side and lock panels, especially at the nose.  It is going to be a nice gun!!

[alyce-james]

Good evening Tom; Great looking design planned for your stock area carving. Thanks for posting. AJ

[E.vonAschwege]

Great looking rifle so far Tom!  The carving design flows and fits very well on the stock.  Nice job getting the section between the tang and sideplate nice and flat.  I like how close you've brought it to the sideplate - you should continue that aspect by slimming the side panel underneath the sideplate and at the nose.  Best,
-Eric

[B Shipman]

Like everything about it so far.

[Ed Wenger]

Looking good, Tom!  I really like the carving design.  My only suggestion would be to round out some of the flat spots on the curves and volutes.  That's really nit-picky, and if you plan on using gouges to cut the design, not a big deal. 

I'd also look at extending the upper top line of the side plate panel back, to conform more with the side plate design.  Draw it in and see what you think...  Like Tim was saying, you might also consider establishing the bottom of the side plate panel a little higher.  Wouldn't need to be much, and combined with a little more subtle curve on the bottom, might result in a slimmer looking side plate panel.  Again, draw it in and see what you think...

Again, looking great, and it's going to be a really nice piece!


         Ed

[Tom Currie]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll continue to refine the lock and side plate panel area as I get closer to completion, I appreciate the feedback.

I'll post again when I think I'm done for your final approval 

[smallpatch]

Tom,

The design is very nice.  One thing I noticed however.  It looks like you might be a little premature in starting your carving. 
Unless my eyes deceive me, you still have file/tool marks in the area.  Before you do relieve carving, the surrounding are needs to be final sanded, so that the areas that are NOT relieved will be the areas that you are going to stain and finish.  VERY difficult to sand/scrape out the tops of your carving without loosing details.

I know I'm rambling, and I hope that made sense???

[Tom Currie]

Dane, You've got a good eye. They are very fine file marks sort of enhanced by the carbon left from a previous drawing that I sanded off. I'll make sure they are cleaned up before I dive in.

Can't get anything past you guys 

[Dphariss]

What Acer said.

Dan

[Long John]

Tom,

That looks like a really neet project.  But I would echo what Dane said. 

The carving design is delightful but it seems to me that you havd a lot of stock shaping to do before you start carving.  I like to have the sculpture of the stock done and essentially down to finished surfaces before I start on the carving.  Remember, that carving is only a runty-little 32nd of an inch above the surface.  Some of that stock shaping will likely erase your drawn design.  I think you should get your lock flats well defined, with the beavertails sketched in and the tang carving drawn in so you can look at the rifle as a whole, integrated design before going to much further with the carving design aft of the cheekpiece.

Best Regards,

John Cholin

[Tom Currie]

Thanks Dan and Long John. The advice will help keep me on track and not get ahead of myself.