Author Topic: What's on your workbench? (Read 26230 times)

flehto · « **Reply #25 on:** January 20, 2014, 07:02:01 PM »

Just showing the present build....I'm ashamed of my messy bench and reneging on my New Year's resolution to straighten things up once a year....Fred

Nordnecker · « **Reply #26 on:** January 20, 2014, 07:15:06 PM »

On my workbench right now- 4 Abu Garcia reels that I've been meaning to send off since last spring. A little bit off duck hunting gear, shells, headlamp, gloves, etc. I was doing a scale drawing of a 52' Bugeye that belonged to my great-grandfather, but it has been stowed against the wall for now. Last night I decided to mount a little C. Parker vice to a 2" thick piece of scrap walnut. I'll be able to clamp this in almost any position and hopefully use it for something other than collecting dust under my bench. I've picked up and put away all the stray tools that have been gathering on my bench for the last year or so- even gave some duplicate tools away just so I don't have to wonder where to put them.
This enabled me to, (once again) get out that gorgeous curly maple stock blank that I've been wanting to turn into a gun and look at it, just imagining the possibilities.

gunmaker · « **Reply #27 on:** January 20, 2014, 07:44:10 PM »

Got parts ordered for a .45 cal. Early Lancaster long rifle. Sort of a Bivins "Haines". Going to use a blank from Gunstocksplus & swamped "B" Rice bbl. If computer will co-operate--I'll post a pic or to when parts come in & work gets underway....Tom

Kermit · « **Reply #28 on:** January 20, 2014, 08:17:58 PM »

ON my bench? Right now, a leg for a pine table my wife requested. There's a paring chisel and a small shop-made plane. I use a small traditional cabinetmakers bench with a tool tray across the back. There are a few small items in there: foxtail brush, small containers of Ballistol and 50/50 ATF-acetone, couple of small bar lamps, wooden mallet, scratch awl, utility knife, chunk of beeswax, Q-tips, pencils, roll of blue tape, tape measure, empty Vernor's can, and empty beer bottle. My Windsor chair and stitching horse are about 8' away, but not doing anything at the moment.

I can't work well in chaos. Working in furniture shops I learned that my efficiency goes to pot when I'm messy, so I usually don't go there. Usually.

In a rack on the wall are a 12ga fowling piece and 5 restocking projects that rotate to the bench when I'm inspired.

Nordnecker · « **Reply #29 on:** January 20, 2014, 08:29:34 PM »

An empty Vernor's can…..Hmm. I was working for some folks who's 2nd home is near me. They kept asking me if I wanted a Vernor's. What the heck is a Vernor's I finally asked. Oh! You've never had a Vernor's? "No", I said.
They insisted I try one. It was good, a ginger ale of sorts. I saved the can so I have an empty Vernor's can too.

t.caster · « **Reply #30 on:** January 20, 2014, 08:54:39 PM »

I have what is starting to look like Joh Schreit's 1761 rifle (RCA-18) emerging from the pile of dust, chips and curls on my bench and around my ankles. Started from a blank, no pre-inletting, using a GM swamped .54 x 44" lg. and Chambers early Germanic lock.

edited: I first said it was RCA-19, but that was last year. This is like RCA-18.

Elnathan · « **Reply #31 on:** January 20, 2014, 08:56:55 PM »

I am trying to remove the breechplug on a barrel so I can check to make sure it is properly breeched and then inlet it. So far I have been "working" on that little process for several weeks - first the wrench I had turned out to be unsuitable (swiveling jaws that couldn't be made to stay parallel), so I had get a new one, then the wood shims turned out to be too soft, so I am filing out some brass replacements. Infuriating that such a simple, basic job is so very difficult.

PPatch · « **Reply #32 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:59:45 PM »

Draw filing a .45 caliber Colerain "A" weight swamped barrel for a mountain rifle I am building for my son, his deer rifle. Shop is in an unusual state of clean (for me...). Worked at installing butt plate this morning but just didn't "feel" it so I switched to filing, didn't feel that either so I quit after completing one flat. I may be coming down with a cold. darn...

dp

T*O*F · « **Reply #33 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:59:58 PM »

My current project is building 3 rifles simultaneously and trying to combine common operations to make them all finish at the same time, while saving time in the process. Yesterday, I installed 3 buttplates.

Today, I'm cutting off the precast tang sight bosses and welding up the spring holes underneath them in preparation to start inletting the barrels.

PPatch · « **Reply #34 on:** January 20, 2014, 11:08:04 PM »

Quote from: Elnathan on January 20, 2014, 08:56:55 PM

then the wood shims turned out to be too soft, so I am filing out some brass replacements. Infuriating that such a simple, basic job is so very difficult.

I made my barrel protectors by vice crushing a couple of four inch long 3/4" dia copper tubes - works. Remove a breech plug this morning using them between the vice teeth and barrel and an old old wrench with a black iron pipe as an extension. Picked that wrench up at a garage sale a few years ago.

dp

galamb · « **Reply #35 on:** January 20, 2014, 11:10:51 PM »

Well, took away some of the clutter and my "ugly Ohio" is still there - it won't finish itself $:-\$

Elnathan · « **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2014, 11:22:50 PM »

PPatch, how does that work with a tapered barrel?

Meteorman · « **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2014, 11:30:15 PM »

16ga. New England fowler from a cherry blank that Dunlaps had discounted at Dixon's last summer because of sapwood along the forearm.
Some strategic laying out of the pattern with the help of Mark Wheland, and all the sapwood is on the floor by the bandsaw now.

/mike millard

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #38 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:17:10 AM »

I find it easier to add a new bench than to clean off an existing one

Frank · « **Reply #39 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:29:27 AM »

My bench is always messy. Got 3 flinters in the queue, York, Early Virginia, and a Rupp.

davec2 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 21, 2014, 07:53:39 AM »

Building bench: Fence Post #2 nearing completion.

Engraving bench: Working on patch box for Fence Post #2.

PPatch · « **Reply #41 on:** January 21, 2014, 05:39:52 PM »

Quote from: Elnathan on January 20, 2014, 11:22:50 PM

PPatch, how does that work with a tapered barrel?

Works fine - ALL of the barrels I have delt with were tapered in the sense they were all swamped.

dp

Cory Joe Stewart · « **Reply #42 on:** January 21, 2014, 05:48:31 PM »

I am working on a Trade Gun Kit I got from Clay Smith. I am putting it together for a buddy of mine. It has been a fun project. I have assembled two kits now and have learned that kits present their own challenges. Even though trade guns are thought to be plain ro simple this one has some unique challenges. The ramrod pipes and the brass wrapped aroung the nose are not pinned or riveted. The are inlet into the barrel channel and the barrel holds them in place. Also, I have never engraved much, but that is the next step on this project. So this kit has provided a couple of opportunities to practice and learn new skills. Mr. Smith has also been very helpful with questions I have had during the project.

My buddy wants me to grunge it up too, so it won't be bright for long.

Coryjoe

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #43 on:** January 21, 2014, 07:54:09 PM »

Might as well add another fowler. English hardware, Richardson style 16 bore barrel, Bob Roller Twigg lock. Slowly finishing this for myself. Had it ready for my son-in-law to hunt with it in the white and sprayed a sealer on the wood to keep from getting dirt embedded in wood. Ended up we couldn't hunt while he was here so now I am scraping off the sealer and also slimming down the forearm. Slow this time of year with all the things I have going on! Maybe finish it after I get taxes done!

Rolf · « **Reply #44 on:** January 21, 2014, 10:16:27 PM »

Just finished the third long barreled pistol and soon finished with the fourth. Only rust blueing the barrel left. The pictures are of third pistol. This years main project is going to be a left handed Beck style rifle, with a 44", cal.54 ,swamped rice barrel, grade 6 stock blank from Dunlap, siler lock. Barrel inlet by Fred Miller and brass from Keck. I got the parts 6 years ago for my 50th birthday. First gun parts I ever got. I bougth and read the "Gunsmith of Grenville county" and chickend out. It's been standing in the corner for 6 years , while I made pistols (7 finished so far) to aquire the need skills to hopefully not make a mess of it. Think I now know how to do a reasonable job from the muzzel to the end of the lock plates. But the buttstock still gives me the willys. Only rifles I've handel are cheap spanish rip offs.

Best regards
Rolf

LehighBrad · « **Reply #45 on:** January 21, 2014, 11:25:28 PM »

First pistol from a blank is currently on my workbench. Got the barrel channel done and barrel inletted.

davebozell · « **Reply #46 on:** January 22, 2014, 03:38:43 AM »

Rolf,

From the look of that pistol, you are more than ready to tackle that rifle. Go ahead and rough it out and work on the parts that you are comfortable with. Before you know it, you'll have it all done and wonder what all the fuss was about. That pistol looks really great!

Tom Cooper · « **Reply #47 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:48:55 AM »

Started this as #3, from the blank. that was in '07/'08, cannot move on to other projects till its finished or it'll never be finished.

So many built in problems, shoulda made tooth picks outa this.

Robby · « **Reply #48 on:** January 22, 2014, 05:45:01 PM »

My wife and I decided to downsize, and put up our last stop on some land I owned. Probably won't get back to making guns for another month or so. A lot of work, frustration, and aggravation, but keeping my eye on the prize, its going to be well worth all of it!!! I even have a real view now! Had a fox come to visit this morning and a big beautiful mink doing a recon, strolled through last week.

I always enjoy looking at other peoples digs, thought I'd share mine.
Robby

flehto · « **Reply #49 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:39:53 PM »

You've got a veritable "fur farm"....get the traps out. Sorry to see that your vise is empty of builds....always enjoy viewing your "exquisite work"......Fred

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Author Topic: What's on your workbench? (Read 26230 times)

galamb

Meteorman

LehighBrad