Building "steps" and recommendations for a new guy?

[Nbright]

Well, I just got in my early lancaster "fully Inletted" kit from Pecatonica, and I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.  The kit is "inletted" so I have some pretty good guardrails but would like some wisdom on the steps you'd take to make sure all goes together well.  Barrel, lock, trigger? Any major pitfalls?

It goes without saying this will be my first build so I'm all ears!!

Good news is I have full support from my two boys:)

[smart dog]

Hi,
This may provide some guidance.



dave

[Nbright]

This looks like a great start!!

[mikeyfirelock]

I recommend getting a copy of “RECREATING THE AMERICAN LONGRIFLR” by Wm. Buchele.  It’s the old standby for beginning the process.   Another excellent source of info is “The Gunsmith of Grenville County.”   It’s a much larger volume and goes into more depth on many aspects of the process.   Either one will give you a very clear vision of the process.
If there are any builders in your area ( don’t know where that is….) or
If  theres a muzzleloading club near you, there are builders as members and they will be glad to help I’m sure …….   We stick together.
 Mikeyfirelock.

[Nbright]

I'm in central NC - not sure of many builders around here unfortunately.  I'll have to invest in some research material

[mikeyfirelock]

https://www.nmlra.org/

[Hatchet-Jack]

Bill Raby has some videos on Rumble.com. Most of his builds are a from a blank stock. His series on the fusil is from a kit. Regardless he shows how to do many of the things you will need to do for your kit.
https://rumble.com/v1a3ls7-fusil-de-chasse-build-part-1.html
https://rumble.com/v1216lk-lancaster-rifle-build-haines-part-1.html
Clay Smith has some videos on YouTube.
https://youtube.com/@grumpygunsmithofwilliamsburg?si=RdgPmO9OWwpJgHWQ

The above mentioned books are a must and I'll add another book "The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle" by Chuck Dixon. Look for a used copy on eBay.

[Daryl]

Dig in.
 Follow suggestions as they fit.
You bought the kit, build it.
Grow from your experience as everyone ahead of you did.
No short cuts, just do it.

[Daryl]

Says the beer.

[Frozen Run]

This is the best book on building the longrifle out there and it's free:

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=31173.0

It may seem more in depth than what you need for your current project, but precarves can be a bit deceptive in that they sometimes appear much simpler than they actually are. Being able to familiarize yourself and understand the relationship between the different parts of the gun ahead of time will be a great benefit. Also, there is a lot of wood that needs to be removed to shape that out into a finished rifle so understanding how to do that will be helpful as well. 

Here is a great way to finish metal:

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=70953.0


Keep you chisels sharp and have fun!

[Nbright]

Thank you!!

[Tim Crosby]

 Check this out it may help:

  https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=23449.msg224624#msg224624

    Tim C.

[Eric Krewson]

Before you go too far, check and see if the lock inlet is in the right place. If it isn't, I would send the pre-carve back.

[oldtravler61]

   What I would do  is make sure the barrel is properly inlett.   Second mark where the end of the breech plug face is .  Mark that on the outside of your barrel.  Pencil mark will do.  Then if you can place the lock in the lock in lett. See where the face of the breech plug is in relationship to the center of the lock pan.   Pre carves are notorious for screwing this up..!
Hopefully I haven't confused you to much...!

[Nbright]

That's my next step! It looks good so far but I need to inlet the tang fully before I am super confident

[Clowdis]

I'm in central NC - not sure of many builders around here unfortunately.  I'll have to invest in some research material

Sent you a PM

[Nbright]

I'm a good listener! In prep I have a copy of The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle  on the way!

To satisfy my desire to do something on this build I made a set of hardwood vice jaws for my bench top vice.