Kibler Kit building class with Gary Ludwig

[Ian Pratt]

So maybe you are a newcomer to longrifle building and you are thinking that a kit would be an excellent way to get started, but maybe you'd like a little guidance...  This coming September, Southern Ohio Artisan Workshops will once again host a Kibler Kit building workshop with instructor Gary Ludwig. This time around, Gary will be helping folks build the Kibler Woodsrunner. This is a five day hands - on class, and of course newcomers to gun building are welcome. As a bonus, Gary will be staying an additional day to assist students who want to shoot their newly assembled guns.

Class space is limited to six participants and is filling quickly - more information on the Southern Ohio Artisan Workshops Website. We'll also have classes the same week on making tomahawks, hunting pouches and folding knives. I'll make a separate post on the accoutrements section about those classes.

https://www.southernohioartisanworkshops.com/

 

[Ian Pratt]

As an aside -  the Kibler Kits are frequently a topic of conversation in the longrifle building community. Since I'm involved in organizing and promoting Gary's class, I wanted to offer my thoughts.

I have been building guns full time for 20+ years. I teach classes in stocking guns from a blank where we often forge or otherwise make by parts by hand. In some classes we also work on carving, engraving and other more advanced skills. Over time I've seen some really dedicated students who worked very hard and became confident, able gun builders. At the same time, I have talked with many who wished they could get involved with the classes but lacked the basic skills or doubted their abilities. I've always tried to accommodate beginners, but a week long gun building class can honestly become an overwhelming and totally frustrating experience for a newbie.

So the story could easily end there. We might just shrug it off and say "well, this stuff ain't for everyone" - and of course , it isn't. But for those who have this strong desire to get involved in building, the kits can be just the ticket.  AND, as I have observed on many occasions, there are folks who build one or two or more of these kits and then they want to build one from a blank. Plenty of the new people in the various "build from a blank" gun classes have gone this route. I have a few students who are already starting to do some pretty cool and creative work who got their start building kits.

I would bet that Jim Kibler didn't intend for his business to give birth to a new crop of traditional gun builders, but trust me it's happening.

[Stoner creek]

Gary does an outstanding job instructing the students. You will not go wrong in this class!
W

[Jim Kibler]

Thanks to Ian, Gary and all the others who help with the Southern Ohio Workshops.  It’s nice to have a part in this.



Ian,

Thanks for your thoughts on our kits as well.  It’s good to know that someone like yourself recognizes and appreciates the good we’ve done.

Jim

[Ian Pratt]

Gary does an outstanding job instructing the students. You will not go wrong in this class!
W

On Gary's behalf, thank you Wayne! We all hope you'll come visit again some time!

Wayne came out to Gary's class for a couple days last March and helped the students to personalize their rifles with some nice details.

[Ian Pratt]

And while I'm posting pictures, here are a few more from Gary's most recent class. Gary does a "bonus day" after class is done where the guys can shoot their newly finished guns. Some of his students have been shooting flintlock guns for years, others have never fired one. Coming to a class like this is a great introduction to it.
 

[Ian Pratt]

Ian,

Thanks for your thoughts on our kits as well.  It’s good to know that someone like yourself recognizes and appreciates the good we’ve done.

Jim

 Jim You're welcome - I 'm making those comments here to share observations that some are probably not aware of. I talk with a lot of aspiring gun builders, way more outside of a class setting than within, and I see a strongly developing trend here. Your kits are a great thing in themselves; I just want folks to understand that they are leading plenty of people to other related skills including stocking guns from a blank.

[Stoner creek]

Thanks Ian! I’ll be hosting a large group from Pennsylvania on the same week as the next class but if y’all will be willing to put up with me in March I’ll make plans!! It’s fun to see the satisfaction of the students when they start to see the project coming together. In the last class all of the students brought Jim’s Colonial kits. Each project came out differently and reflected its owner’s personal likes. Pretty cool stuff in my opinion!
W

[Ian Pratt]

Update - There are a few spaces still available for the Kibler Kit Workshop. Still plenty of time to register and get your Woodsrunner Kit ordered!  Some of the other classes are just about filled - I have posted that info over in the "contemporary accoutrements" section.

A couple more shots from Gary's most recent class. Great group of guys, and a great introduction to gun building for some who otherwise may not have got involved. Several of them have expressed interest in learning how to build from a blank and we're doing what we can to accommodate as many newcomers as possible. This coming March, in addition to the two weeks of gunbuilding classes that Ken Gahagan and I teach we'll be adding a third group to be taught by Gary Ludwig and Jeff Tebay. Ought to be great fun!

 

[Mike Brooks]

Wayne won't allow any sitting down in class.

[Ian Pratt]

That might explain why all the chairs ended up in the dumpster

[oldtravler61]

  What I'm impressed with is the incredible detailed work Wayne can do...He's got hands the size of a grizzly bears....  But what amazing talent..!

[Ian Pratt]

An update on this class - we currently have only two spots left. If you're a newcomer to gun building but you feel you lack some necessary skills, the kits can be a great place to get started - and Gary's class will help you to learn everything from basic hand tool use to proper build sequence, lock disassembly / assembly, stock and metal finishing techniques and much more!       

Note that we have had a change of location for this workshop. Due to a most unfortunate issue that came up at the former location, we will now be holding our September classes at the Log Cabin Shop in Lodi, Ohio. I am VERY grateful to Liza Kindig and the folks at the Log Cabin for being willing and able to accommodate our group, particularly on such short notice!

There are currently two spots left in Gary Ludwig's Kibler Kit Workshop. They are building the new Woodsrunner kit this time. There is also a little space left in the Tomahawk Workshop and I'll post that under the accoutrements section.  If you're interested, more information is available on the Southern Ohio Artisan Workshops website -   https://www.southernohioartisanworkshops.com/

 

     

[Ian Pratt]

Another update - Instructor Gary Ludwig will now allow students to build either the Colonial or Woodsrunner kits in this class. Currently only two spots left open.

[Mule Brain]

Really enjoyed all the pictures thanks for sharing. I really like that rifle stand, will have to look at making one like that for the shows.