Proper depth of side plate inlet.

[LehighBrad]

Hello again fellas......I have a qusetion pertaining to my side plate inlet on a Lehigh longrifle I'm in the process of building. Should my side plate be inlet so it's completely flush with the surface of the wood, or should it be left so about half it's thickness or so is above the woods surface?? My side plate is just a plain brass Lehigh style plate punched from .080 thick sheet brass that I got from Track Of The Wolf. I do plan to engrave a simple border design around it, if that matters at all.  Thanks....

[smallpatch]

Most sideplates, like lockplates, are made with a bevel around the edge.  They should be inletted to this bevel, just like your lock.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Here's a picture of one of Herman Rupp's rifles, and a side plate that I inlet to make a rifle along his lines.  I used 1/8" plate that I cut out myself, filed a bevel that used half it's thickness, and inlet the rest into the wood.  A plate of .080" thick is awefully thin to accomplish this.  I much prefer to create my own side plates rather than limit myself to something commercial.

[Blacksmoke]

Brad:   I do the same as Taylor - I cut my side plates out of solid stock that is 1/8" thick, then file on a bevel that is 45 degrees to a depth of 1/16" and inlet it to that depth.   This gives me added width in the lock panel area which will help to eliminate the dreaded"slab sided" look.   Example here is the sideplate for the"Masterpiece" rifle.    Hugh Toenjes

[LehighBrad]

Thank you guys! Boy...I'm glad I waited to see what you guys had to say! I think I'll throw the side plate I have into my "unwanted spare parts" box and make a thicker side plate myself. I really like the look of a wider bevel around the edge of the plate anyhow which would be darn near impossible to achive with only .080 thickness to work with. Once again you fellas steered me in the right direction...thank you.

[Old Ford2]

Hello Blacksmoke,
That rifle wouldn't be a CVA, would it?
I don't think so!
Beautiful work.....how about a little more picture........it is great looking and fine looking craftsmanship.
Best regards
Old Ford

[Blacksmoke]

Old Ford:  You are correct the rifle pictured above is not made by CVA!   Yes - I would be happy share more photos of it if it is OK with the moderaters as I do not want to hijack this particular thread.  So if my additional photos have to be moved it's OK with me.   Anyway here are some additional photos:

[Old Ford2]

My most sincere compliments!
Old Ford

[Cobweb]

Such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship! Outstanding!!!

Cobweb

[realtorone]

Super Super Rifle.It would make anyone proud.

George

[DB]

Taylor looks like you inlet the lock bolts into the sideplate. How did you go about that?

[Dave B]

I am not sure about how Taylor does his but I was using the drill that matched the size of the screw head and just burried the edge of the drill into the plate so you can then take a same size drill and grind off the point to make a flat bit and go back into the recess cut to start with in the drill press and run it slow to flatten out the bottom of the partial drilled section put the flat point into the recess before starting the drill press or you will mess up the plate.

[Flint62Smoothie]

I was using the drill that matched the size of the screw head and just burried the edge of the drill into the plate so you can then take a same size drill and grind off the point to make a flat bit ...

Haha, wouldn't that then be called an end mill ?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I used a 3/8" end mill, or was it a 7/16"?  ...and a drill press.

[DB]

Thanks Taylor
.