my hawken build so far

[Joe S.]

 I  did know what I was getting into but thought everything would be at least close to straight, true,whatever.Finding the making the many adjustments will be the biggest challenge.While reading all you guys posts over the years that precarves present many challenges.Finding the metal parts especially the tang not even close to straight.Quess that when they pull them from the mold then throw em in the pile still hot and how ever they hit they cool.Bent this one in a couple directions to get it close to right.The stock while looking good will need plenty of work to get it right at least to a good hawken standard.I have plenty to do,knew this going in but thought maybe it would go together a little smoother. Would have loved to have taken Don up on his offer to handle a few originals but he's a little to far away.You can only do so much with pictures in my opinion. While it's nothing I can't handle I think next time I would start off with a blank and just have the barrel/ram rod hole drilled.I could easily rough it out with band saw,a circular saw with the guard pinned back.Pretty good doing this as well as chainsaw type carves.Would at least have em carve the stock but I would inlet the lock and tang myself if not going with a blank.I found pretty much no wiggle room and while I like a challenge, I think I would have liked way more meat on the bone to work with.Please don't think I'm bitchen and complaining just telling you your right about precarves.Still liking every bit of this build but am being humbled so to speak by my experience so far.

[Dennis Glazener]

Quess that when they pull them from the mold then throw em in the pile still hot and how ever they hit they cool

More than likely they are investment casting and the wax patterns were bent when they were pulled from the master mold.
Dennis

[Virginiarifleman]

i am on my first Build. i ordered a Pre-Carved Stock from Pecatonica  Longrifle Supply. i will say nothing fell right in....... But was very close and straight. beautiful curly Maple. and yes i have found that building a custom Rifle takes time and patience. and a little thought and fabricating. but it is worth every hour you spend creating something you are passionate about.

[Joe S.]

totally agree with the worth every hour.Everything's there to make a great rifle but time and patience will be needed to make it happen.Getting educated here sure helps to get things as close as you can to looking right.After looking at some of the hawken builds the bars pretty high.If one did not see these as well as pics of originals and put the parts and stock together as is you would have a survicable rifle but would not even be close to looking like an original.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Every build still has elements that frustrate me.  I am building a mountain rifle now, with the typical curved buttplate.  I have done this before, but I cannot seem to get this one right.  There are times I just have to walk out of the shop or I will throw something.  It happens. 

[flehto]

I think all these posts exhibit the "trials and tribulations" of  gunbuilding by somewhat inexperienced builders.....whether from a precarved stock parts set or a blank. 

I think that precarved parts sets can be "forgiven"  for their "mistakes"  because the mistakes I've found in the "kits" I've built, aren't all that serious.....all  were "covered up". The main advantage of a precarve is that it already has the stock architecture which if one were to take pencil and paper and draw a design, the difficulty of this task would be quite apparent.

Building from a blank has it's advantages but requires some experience. The only mistakes will be self inflicted...and there will be some. Assembling all the correct components requires a bit of knowhow and time and how good the architecture is  depends on the "eye" of the builder.

Precarved parts sets enable many first time builders to "jump in" and that's a good thing..... the more the merrier......

From the posts so far, it seems the builders are solving their problems and we all are looking forward to the final pics....Fred   

[mountainman70]

This is how we learn,in this field or others.
Then----we start getting older-----------------------------?I am in no hurry.I have a few projects that have taken a couple years to get round-2-it.When I get frustrated,in the closet it goes.back at it later.
Keep on that Hawken...Dave

[Joe S.]

good point about an inexperienced builder.That be me and if one was to come upon some of these road blocks in the future its kinda been there done that.Been thinking about an inletting problem all day and will likely start a new thread and see what all you folks think about my solution. I could be over thinking things as well but in my head seems good but will end up making a lot more work.Good thing is there's no time table here and creeping up on things seems to be better than rushing along.What Flehto said is true nothing here is serious but I think some of us can put pressure on our selves to get things as close to perfect as we can.What mountain man said even better ya start getting frustrated put her away for another day.