Author Topic: Seniors moment.re Berks gun finished (Read 58432 times)

greybeard · « **on:** April 07, 2011, 06:49:58 PM »

Well it has happened to me. My last build #11 was from a plank and I had no trouble that I couldent sort out. I'm 76 and was planing my last hurrah. Ordered a berks stock from David Keck and while waiting I made double lever triggerd, thimbles , lugs amd sights tang & lock bolts, and have the patch box cyt out and the hinge done. The order arrived . Bwt .50 + 38 , Jims late Ketland lock, tg, bp, and side plate. A very nice #4 stock. So now all the stuff is on my bench and I seem to have lost my confidence. I go out to the shop and accomplish next to nil. Seems like I have become paranoid about making mistakes etc. I can only hope that this condition will soon pass. I potentionally have the makins of a very nice rifle gun here and just have to get past my fears.
Well thats enough from me. Am I the only one here with this problem. In the past I have picked up my graver and wee hammer and after surveying the job ahead say "No not today"
Thanks for listening and Cheers Bob\

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2011, 06:58:09 PM »

I think that sometimes we have trouble getting our head around the whole project. If you break it down into very small pieces, you might find it easier to "eat the elephant".
Engraving is a good example. Start by sharpening your graver. Then take a piece of scrap brass, and make a few cuts. Before you get too far, you'll find that you are anxious to get to the real deal. Making the first cut is the kicker.

rich pierce · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:02:00 PM »

That's standard operating procedure for me. Unfortunately it is quickly followed by overzealous, overconfident plunging in. That is then followed by meticulous repair work, LOL.

Meteorman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:02:48 PM »

well, Bob, I'm no psychologist by a long shot, but maybe it's not a confidence thing, maybe it's that "last hurrah" thing.
People can be hesitant to jump into somethin' if they got a mindset it's the last time they're gonna do it.
Don't know your situation, but maybe you don't really want to, or need to, get to that endpoint.
I know I take some comfort knowing that 'there's always the next time...".
good luck no matter how ya look at it.
Sound like you'll do fine.
Mike

Dr. Tim-Boone · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:07:03 PM »

Quote from: rich pierce on April 07, 2011, 07:02:00 PM

That's standard operating procedure for me. Unfortunately it is quickly followed by overzealous, overconfident plunging in. That is then followed by meticulous repair work, LOL.

Ha!!! I resemble that remark!!!!

tuffy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:17:42 PM »

I made a mistake on a fusil two years ago. After a lengthy respite I managed to fixed the mistake ok, but can't seem to "pull the trigger" on the rest of the gun. It's been setting in the shop ever since. Maybe this year.........

bob in the woods · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:21:34 PM »

Have you drawn it out on paper yet ? If you do that first, you'll be confident that everything is going to work out, so you can plunge right in with sharp tools! Paper is cheap...draw first .

smylee grouch · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:47:40 PM »

Dont think last hurah, get some more parts on hand for the next one and then start on this one. Dream eternal and start building.

Long John · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2011, 08:11:20 PM »

I agree with Grouch. Don't think of it as the last hurrah. Think of it as the best one yet. And then take Taylor's advice and eat the elephant one bit at a time, enjoying the flavor. At 76 you're a youngster compared to Roger!

Best Regards,

JMC

greybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2011, 08:28:09 PM »

Thanks for the responses fellows. I seem to feel better already. The breech is ready to be let in so perhaps it's time to get on with the grunt. My wife always says "God hates a coward"
Thanks guys Cheers Bob

welafong1 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2011, 08:47:54 PM »

hi
two days ago i was cutting spaces for my front sight when i notice i was on the wrong flat today i am going to the welder pick it up and give him $25.oo that's my senior moment good luck to you the only thing you cant fix is a broken heart time will take care of that good luck to you
Richard Westerfield

Roger Fisher · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2011, 09:27:32 PM »

Well now Ol Grey! I admit to have a few years on you and at this point I have one on the bench and also have/had builder's block and would also go to the bench and end up doing nothing or clean out my shootin' box for the next shoot. The advice to break it down in to small jobs is good. So, maybe you should not look at the whole project; but simply start to let in the barrel breech and once that is done take the next small step. But do it only when you feel like it.

In my case It's like a harem of muzzleloaders so I really don't need another and I think that is the reason I had just a $#*! of a time getting 'into' this one. I have since managed to get the lock and dst installed and bolted. Now to the butt plate. So, I think I have been saved from the doldrums.

Sure won't be finished for Dixon's fair. And as Rhett Butler said to Scarlett " Frankly my dear I don't give a '@!*%'!

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2011, 09:37:39 PM »

When you say this is your last hurrah, then I'd have to think "what's next?" ....

It's like a man sittin there in the chair with a cold beer on a sunny afternoon, enjoying the sunshine. On the grass next to him is a shovel. He's decided that when he's done with his beer, he's going to dig his grave.

I think I'd take an awful loooong time sippin that beer down.....

Tom

greybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2011, 10:17:52 PM »

Perhaps I should have not said "Last hurrah" Bad choice of words. It's hard for me on account of need knee re&re. Getting cortisone shots in lower back, not worling, and self inflicted emphysema that leaves me without a lot of stamina.
That being said , I ain't about to start diggin my own grave jest yet.
Since starting this post and the encouragement recieved I now have the breech plug and tang bout 1/2 done. Thanks a whole bunch guys. I guess I just needed a kick in the a*#.
Will keep posting as time goes by. Bob

frenchman · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2011, 12:34:07 AM »

greybeard i hope to be able to do anything at your young age . It's a beautiful thing to see still young at heart . A bit every day and she will be finish.

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2011, 02:37:38 AM »

Greybeard: I am hoping that my "last hurrah" at the bench is at least 25 yrs. away! I will be 70 next week. Recently I had the privilege of visiting a gunsmith in Rapid City by the name of Jack First. What I did not realize is that Jack is 89 yrs. young and still at the bench! What's more is that he packs a six shooter on his hip each and every day! He lit up like a light bulb when I told him that I do my own cut rifling by hand. He was a pleasure to meet and talk with. Your age is only a number - keep your hands and mind busy - you will do ok! Hugh Toenjes

Don Getz · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2011, 02:40:45 AM »

Greybeard......you have to look ahead, show your guns off to other people, and get some orders piled up.......this becomes
incentive. Right now I'm working on a 10 ga. fowler for a friend, want's it for turkeys in a few weeks. I have the whole
thing shaped up, but must wait for the barrel to come back from jug-choking. I have the lock and trigger in place, working fine. Will have to solder underlugs and sights on it, plus a touchhole liner, then some stain and finish. Then
waiting in the wings are the parts for my "christians spring" barn gun, want to get that done for Dixon's and the CLA.
Also have another lancaster and a Beck barn gun to do this fall. By the way, I'll be 78 next month, and the energy just
is no longer there......would rather take a nap, ha................Don

roundball · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:17:48 AM »

Makes me think about my pending retirement...just sitting it the pretty woods with a Flintlock across my lap...if I can coax a Tom within range, great...if I good buck comes through cruising for Does, great...if the squirrels get too bothersome...well, you know.
But if I doze off or end up with no rifle to clean that day, that'll be OK too.

bgf · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:10:50 AM »

Greybeard,
I am just 42, but I had a similar experience last fall -- I couldn't seem to get started, mainly because I was afraid of making mistakes. I would like to say that I jumped in and everything came out perfectly, but the truth is that I jumped in and made some of the mistakes I was afraid of, despite my best efforts. The good news is, that once I was committed, the mistakes didn't seem like that big a deal and fixing them when possible was enjoyable in its own way. I have an idea that if I ever built something perfectly, I would probably quit

. Shake it off and get to building -- its just a gun; most of the parts are reusable worst case!

greybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:17:19 AM »

roundball; sounds like a wee bit O heaven. Most of the pleasure is just being there.
Bob

Ray Nelson · « **Reply #20 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:56:07 AM »

Greybeard,

We all have these mind battling days no matter the age. An ole friend on mine once told me..."Ray... always have a carrot on a stick to be reaching for!"

I recently retired from one of those stressing jobs and now can spend more carrot quality time in my cluttered shop building what my mind, hand and arm allow me too. Stay at peace and Keep reaching!

Ray

Dr. Tim-Boone · « **Reply #21 on:** April 08, 2011, 01:45:45 PM »

Greybeard,

Its just your misspent youth coming home to roost.... Don and Roger are good examples!!

As many have said just set your mind to do one thing, the next seems to follow.... these guns are just too addicting!!!

Don Getz · « **Reply #22 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:13:27 PM »

We've all probably gone thru this stage of gunbuilding. I can recall screwing up something on a gun, setting it aside for
a week or two while I stewed over the problem of fixing it, but, finally getting back to it. In the end it turned out OK, but,
whenever that happened I was never really happy with the end result. I think there are littlel things I have done wrong
on every gun I have built, something I wasn't happy with, but unknown to almost all the people that look at it....Don

greybeard · « **Reply #23 on:** April 08, 2011, 06:59:37 PM »

Hey guys; I look at the beautifull guns on this site in awe and now have found out that it seems like everyone is not immune to errors . Some just look to perfect to imagine there being mistakes involved.
The encouregement posted here motivated me to get at it. I can work about 1/2 hour at a time then have to give my back a rest so after 3 shifts yesterday I still have less than 1/16th to go and the tang will be in. thanks guys!!. Will finish today and post a couple of pics. Bob

rick landes · « **Reply #24 on:** April 08, 2011, 08:01:09 PM »

Greybeard,
I have trouble starting a project on a rifle until I feel like I want to do it. I have to have some mental image of what I am heading toward. Somedays it is ready to go, some days not. I equate it to some akin to writers block.

Thanks for sharing!
And please keep us posted on that great project. Only the good Lord knows what is really the last one. Our job is to be thankful for each day we get.

News:

Author Topic: Seniors moment.re Berks gun finished (Read 58432 times)

greybeard

Meteorman

tuffy

greybeard

welafong1

greybeard

roundball

greybeard

greybeard