After 12 years of avocational building that has become a steady and rewarding endeavor, a visitor at Jacobsburg asked me why I was there with the new students. My gun was a bit ahead, so she apparently picked me to talk to. I explained that my "little brother" had just retired and that I was both accompanying him and picking up pointers.
In operational terms, here's some pointers that made it worth the tuition.
I learned to use a file in places that I had become accustomed to scraping. I learned how to cut a 1/4-hour bare front end prep down to 3 minutes. I learned how to cut a 1/2 hour entry hole job down to 10 minutes, because I learned how the actual jobs were done by the masters there 150 years ago. They learned how to do it profitably.
I learned additional means to take weight off a gun without compromising functional integrity. I was reminded of some architectural details that I had forgotten, and made appropriate adaptations after my initial efforts.
All can learn here, as the attention is essentially individualized. Sort of like we all have our own IEP's. Absolute fun at its best. What all learners shared was the fundamentals of how to build a safe, structurally sound, functional rifle, and the supervision to move the project forward.
If I am not mistaken, they will run a class in the fall which will tackle advanced issues other than lock, stock and barrel relationships. Carving, engraving, shaping...that stuff should be the thrust. Then likely another start-up program. All fun. One hour from Harrisburg, 10 minutes from the Republic of New Jersey, just a hop and skip from Phila. Definitely worth it.
It would be optimally best if you have a work bench with a good vise and support at home. Then you can do homework. You need common house tools, a good gouge and a good chisel and a #49 Nicholson Cabinet Maker's Rasp. Also a bastard file, a hack saw and a hollow-ground screw driver. Also drills and taps for 8/32 or 10/32 threaded bolts, and you are off and running.
