Rear Entry Pipe Installation Question

[StevenV]

 
Just curious, the amount of time it takes to install a  rear entry thimble? How do you feel about this step in making a flintlock, ranks up there with least favorite step or you enjoy in-letting a rear thimble. I have attached two pics ,I feel as though I have another hour and will be glad when it is finished. If there is one trait that helps me, it is persistence. Going down the cellar to finish, already into entry thimble a couple of hours .  Steve
 

[smallpatch]

Steven,
I've been doing this for about 25 years.  There are 2 jobs that I really dislike to do.
#1 buttplate
#2 entry pipe
It's having to inlet in 2 different directions at once.
There's still much more that I enjoy, so I persevere.

[TommyG]

I would have to agree with Smallpatch on the least favorites, only mine would be rear entry thimble & one piece nosecaps, the nosecap makes me real nervous.  One thing I do when inletting the rear entry, besides going real slow & careful, is I use a line level to level the forestock on the bench & support, then insert a tight fitting dowel rod about 6" long into the thimble and use the line level on that as I inlet to keep it level as it goes in.

[Eric Krewson]

I always get them a little cockeyed and have a ramrod hit something just a little bit in the forestock as it goes in. I have started putting the ramrod in to make sure things are lined up before I drill for my pin. 

[flehto]

When first starting to inlet the entry pipe, didn't care for it much, but then got into Bucks County LRs w/ their style of entry pipe and actually like inletting a regular entry pipe.  Actually the BC entry pipe isn't that difficult.

Buttplates aren't that bad if a whole lot of wood isn't left on. I saw Mike Brooks' building tutorial and evidently he can band saw to the correct contour because it looks like he just takes a couple of chisel cuts and it's done.....Fred