Author Topic: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)  (Read 21464 times)

Online Dave B

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3132
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #25 on: December 03, 2015, 09:28:14 AM »
I hate the final sanding involved in the finishing of a project. I have PTSD from Junior high and being given only one piece of Sandpaper to finish the stool project for that quarter. No matter how much I sanded I couldnt get the scratches out of the pine boards. I had night mares about sanding and more sanding. AAAAGGGGGGaaaaaaaa     Years Later I learned that you should throw out dull sandpaper only use it when it sharp like all our other wood working tools. It is not so bad now but the Scots in me finds me pulling that old paper back out of the garbage to put it in the used sandpaper shoe box.
Dave Blaisdell

dbraw

  • Guest
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #26 on: December 03, 2015, 04:56:21 PM »
The thing I hate most about building a rifle or pistol is when I am not building one.

Offline bama

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2160
    • Calvary Longrifles
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #27 on: December 03, 2015, 06:06:13 PM »
There is very little about building a long rifle that does not take time or is tedious. I find the entry thimble to be the hardest part to inlet for me.

My problem is I am heavy handed and I always manage to get the skirt out of whack during the inletting process. I keep telling my self to slow down and be patient and just take a little more wood and it will fit. So I smoke the piece and put it in place and I tell my self to tap GENTLY. Trouble is after fifteen tries I get impatient and the next thing I know I am trying to straighten out the skirt.

Patience my son, patience :P
Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline Mark Elliott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5191
    • Mark Elliott  Artist & Craftsman
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #28 on: December 03, 2015, 07:14:20 PM »
I was a little slow getting to this, but here goes.  Below are the stones and a sanding block I used for lock polishing.    Together, they work well.   All the stones are 1/8".   My favorite are YL-Oils from Congress Tools in 120/320/600 grits.    I use 120/320 1" emery cloth rolls and 600 grit silicon carbide sheets.   The sanding block takes care of most areas.   




Offline Curt Larsen

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 617
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #29 on: December 03, 2015, 07:19:13 PM »
For me I still hate butt plates.  After that, dealing with patchbox latches and push rods are still daunting for me.  Runar, I love your simple polishing method.  Now I have a use for those old butter knives.
Curt

Offline Chris Treichel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 916
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #30 on: December 03, 2015, 11:36:14 PM »
Ornate monster head pistol buttcap inletting... no comment, it got ugly

Offline Acer Saccharum

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19311
    • Thomas  A Curran
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #31 on: December 04, 2015, 12:09:14 AM »
Mark, that is an awesome sanding block!!!!!!    :D :D :D :D :D

(this made my day!)
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Offline Mark Elliott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5191
    • Mark Elliott  Artist & Craftsman
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #32 on: December 04, 2015, 12:30:21 AM »
Mark, that is an awesome sanding block!!!!!!    :D :D :D :D :D

(this made my day!)

I an not quite sure how to take that, but I think I will choose to take it as a compliment.   ;D

rogerpjr

  • Guest
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #33 on: December 04, 2015, 01:25:06 AM »
Maybe a good explanation could be had for the "period correct" Phillips head screws, but I think it will be tough to explain the binder clips!!!  :D :D :D

Offline Mark Elliott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5191
    • Mark Elliott  Artist & Craftsman
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #34 on: December 04, 2015, 01:40:36 AM »
Maybe a good explanation could be had for the "period correct" Phillips head screws, but I think it will be tough to explain the binder clips!!!  :D :D :D

So,  you don't like my creativity.   :D    The emery cloth isn't period correct either.   Period correct would be just the block of wood with a leather or felt pad with loose abrasives.  I have those.   They are a pain to use.   I just have to glue on some leather and remove the screws and binder clips.   However,  I have been using that sanding block the way it is a lot of years. I will modify it for the all handmade gun.  Ok...  ;D   

Offline James Rogers

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3151
  • James Rogers
    • Fowling Piece
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #35 on: December 04, 2015, 02:05:20 AM »
Mark, that is an awesome sanding block!!!!!!    :D :D :D :D :D

(this made my day!)



I an not quite sure how to take that, but I think I will choose to take it as a compliment.   ;D

I saved the picture. I'm going to make one!
« Last Edit: December 04, 2015, 02:10:05 AM by James Rogers »

Offline Ky-Flinter

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7455
  • Born in Kentucke, just 250 years late
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #36 on: December 04, 2015, 02:27:57 AM »
Mark, that is an awesome sanding block!!!!!!    :D :D :D :D :D

(this made my day!)



I an not quite sure how to take that, but I think I will choose to take it as a compliment.   ;D

I saved the picture. I'm going to make one!

Me, too!

BTW Mark, I believe it was a compliment.

-Ron
Ron Winfield

Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun. -Nate McKenzie

Offline gunmaker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 691
  • the old dog gunmaker
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #37 on: December 04, 2015, 03:08:26 AM »
That deep thin hole for a simple trigger, lots a chance  for chip outs as the hole gets down around the sear hole..And wobble !!!!   Tom
« Last Edit: December 04, 2015, 03:09:01 AM by gunmaker »

Offline oldtravler61

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4399
  • We all make mistakes.
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #38 on: December 04, 2015, 04:56:58 AM »
Mark I like your sanding blocks. An that Sir is a compliment. Now if you could help me sharpen my chisels.

Offline gusd

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 301
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #39 on: December 04, 2015, 04:46:49 PM »
Mark,
your sanding block is great, will make one tonight!!
Gus :)

Offline BOB HILL

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2273
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #40 on: December 04, 2015, 09:18:39 PM »
Don't enjoy installing patchbox release rods.    Bob
South Carolina Lowcountry

Offline Dennis Glazener

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19445
    • GillespieRifles
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #41 on: December 05, 2015, 06:32:59 PM »
Quote
For Dennis or Acer, $50 will do.  But just one special deal per lifetime. 
Sounded good until I noticed that it was a one time special :D
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Dphariss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9886
  • Kill a Commie for your Mommy
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #42 on: December 05, 2015, 07:57:16 PM »
Final assembly is right up there. Its one of, if not THE least favorite thing. Its when things get dinged screw drivers slip, something decides to not fit anymore......

Dan
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

Offline Dphariss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9886
  • Kill a Commie for your Mommy
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #43 on: December 05, 2015, 07:59:31 PM »
Gotta admit that is a really nice sanding block. Kudos for sure....

Dan
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

Offline Long Ears

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 720
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #44 on: December 06, 2015, 02:40:56 AM »
Boy Dan nails it for me. The final assembly never goes smooth for me either. It doesn't matter how many times I try it in the white the final is a test. Bob

Offline Cory Joe Stewart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1860
    • My etsy shop
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #45 on: December 06, 2015, 06:59:13 PM »
That is a nifty little gadget right there.

I was a little slow getting to this, but here goes.  Below are the stones and a sanding block I used for lock polishing.    Together, they work well.   All the stones are 1/8".   My favorite are YL-Oils from Congress Tools in 120/320/600 grits.    I use 120/320 1" emery cloth rolls and 600 grit silicon carbide sheets.   The sanding block takes care of most areas.   





Offline Cory Joe Stewart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1860
    • My etsy shop
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #46 on: December 06, 2015, 07:02:27 PM »
The most hated task for me is the entry pipe.  I don't think I have ever been happy with one.  The hardest task is shaping lock panels, but I enjoy doing it.

Coryjoe

Offline Dphariss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9886
  • Kill a Commie for your Mommy
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #47 on: December 07, 2015, 06:55:57 AM »
Boy Dan nails it for me. The final assembly never goes smooth for me either. It doesn't matter how many times I try it in the white the final is a test. Bob

Then there are guns that don't want to leave .... and.... Well it can get "unpleasant" But I had more trouble with this when I was doing custom guns from Shiloh Sharps. Some were just REALLY bad. Had a Ballard do this too me once too. !@*%&@ triggers stopped working and could not be fixed. Time critical of course AARRGGHG! Gremlins it has to be gremlins. I don't do ANYTHING to a schedule anymore. Like Harry Pope said (might have been a sign in his shop) "Take your work when its well done or take it someplace else".

Dan
« Last Edit: December 07, 2015, 06:56:20 AM by Dphariss »
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13413
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #48 on: December 07, 2015, 02:58:58 PM »
Final assembly is right up there. Its one of, if not THE least favorite thing. Its when things get dinged screw drivers slip, something decides to not fit anymore......

Dan
That can be a test of patience. I can sometimes spend a whole day putting a gun together for the last time. Especially if there has been a change in the weather since it was last together. :P
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
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'?

Offline Jerry V Lape

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3027
Re: Most hated task when building a rifle (at least for me)
« Reply #49 on: December 08, 2015, 02:55:19 AM »
Thing I hate most is fixing my screwups!!