What’s the secret to Efficiently inletting an Allentown butt plate?

[smallpatch]

Chris,
They DO fade to nothing.  That’s one of the oddities that makes them so unique.

[alacran]

First rifle I built from scratch, my mentor was Dixon's book. First you fit the comb and go forward.
 It helps to cut your plank as close to the inside shape of the butt plate as possible. Not difficult but tedious, it is much easier than an entry pipe.

[Stophel]

Chris,
They DO fade to nothing.  That’s one of the oddities that makes them so unique.

I will never be able to do that.  That wood wouldn't last five minutes before it busted off, long before I would ever be done making the gun.  I can't fathom how it could possibly survive any longer than that.  Thin, wispy wood is a no-go for me.  But, I don't see myself ever attempting a Lehigh gun again.  I may not be making any kind at all any more.

[Eric Kettenburg]

The key to supporting that corner properly is filing a compound draft into the curvature.  The draft should carry from the upper return back fully into the curve, unless you happen to be using one of the "other" types which have a square corner (lots of those, too).

The other key, primarily for the rear vertical portion of the buttplate, is a big a$$ mallet.

[Acer Saccharum]

I don't know about efficient, because it takes me forever to inlet any buttplate. But it's a heck of a lot easier if you file the forward extension with generous bevels. This leaves for stronger wood at the inlet edge, and makes for a nice tight joint where metal meets wood.

[Stophel]

That's actually what I was wanting to see. Thank you.  I was wondering how much beveling would be necessary.  I was thinking the buttplate tang would have to almost be "on-let" rather than "in-let".   

[Eric Kettenburg]

Perfect, that picture explains exactly what I was trying to say.  While the wood still tapers up to a point where it actually meets the brass, it tapers rapidly wider in thickness so it's a lot more supportive and substantial as opposed to if you had little draft on the return and into the curve.

[alacran]

[
The other key, primarily for the rear vertical portion of the buttplate, is a big a$$ mallet.
[/quote]
I have never inlet a Lehigh B P, because I'm not that big a fan of those rifles. But the situation described is very similar to a variery of fusil and jeager BPs, I have inlet those. If you need a big a$$ mallet you are approaching the job with an improper attitude.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I don't agree.  My butt plate mallet is a 4 1/2" dia. section of birch log about the same length, with a good hickory handle.  When I whack the plate, it certainly leaves a good impression from the inletting black.  I still takes me several hours to inlet a butt plate.  I don't find the Lehigh any more difficult than any other school.  They all take patience and foresight.

[Eric Kettenburg]

"If you need a big a$$ mallet you are approaching the job with an improper attitude."

My attitude is that of getting the job done asap and subsequently getting paid.  Neither the buttplate nor the customer cares about the exact curvature arc as long as the metal to wood fit mates properly.  There's a reason that very soft yellow brass is highly preferable.

[Mike Brooks]

Yes, a big mallet toward the end seals the deal. Depending on the day a buttplate will take .5 to 1.5 hours to have in place and screwed down.

[Stophel]

I've always beat the edges of the buttplate down to meet the wood.  Of course, you probably can't do that with the hard, springy, investment cast bronze buttplates.

[Mike Brooks]

I've always beat the edges of the buttplate down to meet the wood.  Of course, you probably can't do that with the hard, springy, investment cast bronze buttplates.

A good reason not to use bronze butplates

[alacran]

I don't agree.  My butt plate mallet is a 4 1/2" dia. section of birch log about the same length, with a good hickory handle.  When I whack the plate, it certainly leaves a good impression from the inletting black.  I still takes me several hours to inlet a butt plate.  I don't find the Lehigh any more difficult than any other school.  They all take patience and foresight.

Whacking the butt plate to leave an impression of the inletting black is a lot different than beating it to conform to the shape of the wood.
Try to conform the BP to the wood certainly doesn't work with steel BPs, if anything it makes things worse.

[flatsguide]

As the fellows said, remove as much of the wood as possible, get the comb line shaped close. Take your time there are really no short cuts. That is why you don’t see the artistry in the vast majority of guns...this level of work is too time consuming and most people that companies hire don’t have anywhere the skill required to do what you are doing. When your done you will be happy and the next one gets easier. As was said take your time.
This one took a bit of time too...