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Author Topic: Peter Alexander's Book  (Read 14433 times)

holzwurm

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Peter Alexander's Book
« on: March 04, 2011, 10:58:14 PM »
Have I gone crazy  :o ? I can't find my copy of his book so I went on ABE Books looking for a used copy.

$ 400.00 !!! ???

I've been out ot the gun making loop for a couple of years but last time I bought one it was something like $40.00. Has it really become that precious.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2011, 11:06:36 PM by holzwurm »
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Rasch Chronicles

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2011, 11:23:57 PM »
They printing a second edition.... finally.

Albert
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2011, 12:11:37 AM »
I wouldn't take one even if it were free. There are far superior books out there on gunbuilding.
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Rasch Chronicles

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2011, 02:03:16 AM »
And your suggestions would which? If you would be so kind.
Trying to build up the library as it where.

Thanks,
Albert
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2011, 02:19:48 AM »
Recreating the american longrifle. It's the book I learned from many years ago.
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Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Rasch Chronicles

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2011, 02:22:20 AM »
Ahhh,

Should be on my desk awaiting me!

Thanks again!
Albert
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Offline valongrifles

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2011, 05:02:00 AM »
Earlier I had stated that I had lent my Alexander book out and not gotten it back. I have apologized to the guy I thought I had lent it to as my lovely wife (always a step ahead of me) located it exactly where I had left it. What a relief!!!
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Offline LynnC

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2011, 05:09:11 AM »
If anyone want my copy at $400.00  :o they are more than welcome to it..............And free shipping Too  ;D
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Offline David Rase

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2011, 05:11:25 AM »
Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 05, 2011, 12:11:37 AM
I wouldn't take one even if it were free. There are far superior books out there on gunbuilding.
Amen to that!
DMR
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Offline James

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2011, 06:02:03 AM »
I have Recreating the American Longrifle and have learned much from it. I didn't know if Alexander's book maybe cover things the other books were light on. I did buy one written by a lady that I did not find to be as helpful as I had hoped it would be.
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California Kid

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2011, 06:08:22 AM »
Ditto on Recreating the American Longrifle. I have a copy published in 1970 and at the time was titled Recreating the Kentucky Rifle.  Had the newer version, but it was borrowed 20 yrs. ago and hasn't come home yet.
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Ionian

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2011, 06:39:34 AM »
Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 05, 2011, 02:19:48 AM
Recreating the american longrifle. It's the book I learned from many years ago.

Didn't Alexander work on this book also?
« Last Edit: March 05, 2011, 06:40:06 AM by Ionian »
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2011, 06:50:18 AM »
Quote from: Ionian on March 05, 2011, 06:39:34 AM
Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 05, 2011, 02:19:48 AM
Recreating the american longrifle. It's the book I learned from many years ago.

Didn't Alexander work on this book also?
In later editions I believe....probably filled it full of useless measurements..... ::)
 I loaned mine out 20 years ago to, never got it back.
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Offline elk killer

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2011, 03:38:58 PM »
Quote from: David Rase on March 05, 2011, 05:11:25 AM
Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 05, 2011, 12:11:37 AM
I wouldn't take one even if it were free. There are far superior books out there on gunbuilding.
Amen to that!
DMR
2nd the Amen to that!!!
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Offline Rolf

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2011, 04:25:19 PM »
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to gun building and have both books. "Recreating the americanlongrifle"is a good book but lacks detail and often left me with unanswered questions, especially in stock shaping.  These questions were usually answered in "The gunsmith of Grenville County"".

If I had to chose, I prefer "The gunsmith of Grenville County". I'll be starting on my first rifle this summer and will follow the methods in this book.

Best regards
Rolf
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Offline wattlebuster

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #15 on: March 05, 2011, 04:39:36 PM »
I have a copy an think it is ok but I also think the recreating the american longrifle is better. But being a longrifle building fan I will buy any book on the subject in the hopes that I might learn something from it.
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Offline bob in the woods

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #16 on: March 05, 2011, 05:09:14 PM »
I have all three, as well as others. For someone who has never handled an original, Peter's book filled in where the others had left questions . I don't do things the way he does, but for the money spent, it was well worth it.  Personal , IMO, [ and everyone has one ! ] I think that some carry their view of Peter over to their opinion re the book. I've heard some flame it, who I know have never opened it. I sure wouldn't pay $400 , but it was $40 well spent when I bought it.
The first book I'd buy would be the Buchele's , then C. Dixon's, then Peter's
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Offline James Rogers

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #17 on: March 05, 2011, 06:39:36 PM »
There is a lot of good information in Pete's book that was shared with him by some very good gun builders if one can filter thru the writing style and other obstacles.
« Last Edit: March 05, 2011, 06:51:17 PM by James Rogers »
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greybeard

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #18 on: March 05, 2011, 07:01:14 PM »
BUCHELE'S...    !!!    Bob
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Offline bluenoser

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2011, 07:08:23 PM »
I too have all three and I generally agree with Bob's comments.  However, my order of desirability would be Bouchelle's (by a wide margin) then Alexander's followed closely by Dixon's.  I find the three to be complimentary to each other and each has much to offer.

I find myself questioning more things in Alexander's book than the others.  For example, the entry thimble mandrel he recommends on page 148 has the thimble and tail concentric with each other.  By contrast, the mandrel on page 100 of Bouchelle's book has the thimble section offset with respect to the tail section.  More difficult to make than Alexander's for sure.  I made the one in Bouchelle's book and it works great.  I think the one in Alexander's book would result in too small a radius on the tail.  That's just my opinion.

Having said that, I do find Alexander's book provides good detail in areas the others touch on more lightly.  I am glad I have it in my reference library, but I definitely would not pay a premium over the issue price.
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Bob Mac

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2011, 07:27:25 PM »
I used this book on my first build that I'm in the process of completing. Also used the other 2 mentioned, Buchele and Dixon. I think it was a good help. One drawback is it is to indepth in some areas. I think my build took a lot longer because I over thought what I was doing.
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wetzel

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #21 on: March 05, 2011, 07:43:12 PM »
I have all three books as well and have found them very complimentary to each other.  Where one book leaves something to be desired the others can help.  Peter Alexander is currently working on another edition to his book.  I emailed him about it and he is hoping to have it out sometime this summer but that is a tentative date.
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Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #22 on: March 05, 2011, 07:48:30 PM »
I made an entry pipe former using Alexander's advice and then made the pipes for my J. Kuntz rifle using it to form them all.  It worked very well.  




I like the book, and have all three of those mentioned plus a few more.  For those of us who do not have access to originals for study, these books are priceless (but not worth $400!)  Ha!!  I like Peter's book especially for its art.  A line sketch is often easier to understand than a poor photograph.
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Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

California Kid

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2011, 08:07:50 PM »
Taylor, I turned mandrels the same way and they work fine, but I used my own dimensions. The dimensions in his book, I believe are wrong at least in the copy I saw. The principal works fine.
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Offline LynnC

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Re: Peter Alexander's Book
« Reply #24 on: March 05, 2011, 08:26:22 PM »
I stumbled along for years with Chuck Dixons book - Never owned Buchelles but ought to get a copy - Bought Alexanders and it does add a lot of detail skimmed over in other books though some of his methods are way around the world complicated but as i said at least he tried to explain some details not covered elsewhere.

But - NOTHING has been more instructive to me than THIS site ALR.   The books are a guide.  Detailed answers, pictures and multiple approaches to solving building problems can be found here from among the most knowledgeable builders.

BTW - Thanks...................Lynn
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