new member and building advice

[MontanaFrontier86]

I am wanting to learn how to build muzzleloaders from kits like track of the wolf and Chambers kits. I am wanting any and all advice, book recommendations and dvd recomendations. I currently have The art of building the pennsylvania longrifle and I have Recreating the American Longrifle. I am working on getting The gunsmith of grenville county and The golden age of the kentucky rifle. Im also looking at James Turpin gun building dvd and jim chambers dvd. Any advice on kit building would be very helpful. Also I am located in the St. Louis Missouri area if there are any muzzleloader building classes or people that help teach building would be great. Would be willing to trade work or pay for some schooling! Thanks all 

[WadePatton]

Welcome to the challenge and the forum too.

I like the Grenville Co. book as much as the rest. But that i learn from every source.

The best way to learn is to do.

Period.

SO many things cannot be worked out or felt (i'm very tactile) or seen until you actually start the doings.  Sure read all you can, but many things just won't make much sense or lodge in your brain until you've actually attempted the procedure.

IF you're handy with tools, you'll do fine.  If not, you'll either learn (to be handy with tools) or you'll give it up.  Tools must be sharp, resharpened, and often made for the task at hand-which can generally be approached 12 different ways.  Again, you won't know which way works best for you until you start the doing.

IF you're going to be building the carved and engraved type of guns be SURE to acquire some scrap materials to practice on (of similar materials, don't practice carving on pine) and practice until you need to re-sharpen those tools. 

Learn your school. 

Sometimes the kit sellers make questionable parts decisions for you.  You'll know this if you've properly studied up your style/time.  It may be safer to copy a contemporary builder than to try to recreate an original.

There, that should be good and cornfusin'.   

[flinchrocket]

    The gun building tutorial by Mike Brooks, in the woodworking section might interest you.
     Although its not from a kit, you should be able to apply some basic information to your kit build.
     It's a good tutorial .

[Kevin Houlihan]

If you're going to build a Chamber's kit then I would recommend the Ron Ehlert DVD. It is sold by both Jim Chambers and American Pioneer Video. Actually I would recommend it even if you're building someone else's kit. Good luck.
Kevin
P.S.
Check out this website religiously and ask a lot of questions.

[Mike Brooks]

   The gun building tutorial by Mike Brooks, in the woodworking section might interest you.
     Although its not from a kit, you should be able to apply some basic information to your kit build.
     It's a good tutorial .

I also have a tutorial on building my Carolina kit on my website, don't know if it will help or not.
http://www.fowlingguns.com/carolinatutorial.html

[blackbruin]

I found a builder locally that knows what he is doing and is nice enough to help out.  He is an invaluable resource that cannot be duplicated.  Patience is the key and when you hit a rough spot, stop and think or make a phone call.  Sometimes it even requires a visit, but as you gain those skills remember one thing, you will only get out of something what you put into it.

[KLMoors]

I'd recommend getting your pre-carve done without having the lock inlet done, if possible.  It helps in lots of ways to be able to adjust the position of the lock for the best architecture.

Also, remember that these aren't really kits, as in pop the parts in and go shooting. All of them will take a lot of time and patience to produce a nice end product.  Go slow, try to think way ahead, and ask lots of questions.

Have you picked out a particular style you like?

[WadePatton]

... and ask a lot of questions.

But first try to learn from the previous threads where all those questions have been asked.  Or in other words, use the search function (or external searches) now and then-most everything has been disgusted.

(and i pun a lot.)  Not that things cannot be discussed over again, but it's really best to have specific, focused, questions than huge general ones that require massive answers.

[MontanaFrontier86]

I'd recommend getting your pre-carve done without having the lock inlet done, if possible.  It helps in lots of ways to be able to adjust the position of the lock for the best architecture.

Also, remember that these aren't really kits, as in pop the parts in and go shooting. All of them will take a lot of time and patience to produce a nice end product.  Go slow, try to think way ahead, and ask lots of questions.

Have you picked out a particular style you like?

I am not picky. My love for muzzleloading is endless. I am leaning towards a Jim Chambers kit. Spacifically the Early Lancaster Rifle in 54 caliber. I understand these kits take alot of time. I have never built a kit. Ive built a AR from scratch and done a conversion on a saiga ak rifle but thats about it in reference to guns. Im not experienced in wood work at all. Im buying all the knowledge I can get first and trying to learn as much as possible before I buy a kit. I dont want to buy a kit and mess it up or not be able to build it properly.

[Jim Chambers]

If you can spare a week of vacation why not come to Barbie's kit assembly class May 17 - 22.  You will get hands on experience and help from instructors with years of experience and should go home not only with a lot of knowledge but hopefully a functioning rifle made from one of her kits.  Contact her for more details.

[MontanaFrontier86]

Can someone please help me get in contact with Barbie or give me her contact info so I can get ahold of her to get more info about the class in may

[flinchrocket]

      Jim Chambers Flintlocks Ltd.
      828-667-8361 mon.- fri  9 am- 5 pm
      e-mail  chambers@flintlocks.com

[A.Merrill]

     If you are building a kit that has the lock inlet cut out, finish inletting the lock first. Then the barrel, so youcan line up the touch hole with he pan...........Al

[Turtle]

  My first build was an expensive component set with super premium wood. I was so terrified of screwing it up I stopped working on it several times and it took me 2 years. If I had it to do over, I would have learned building a gun where the stakes weren't so high first. I'm not saying to be sloppy or careless, but you will almost certainly make mistakes-that's how we learn. I still make mistakes, just fewer of them. Just my 2cents.
                         Good luck,turtle