Author Topic: Rough shaping a blank (Read 6119 times)

Uncle Alvah · « **on:** November 27, 2016, 05:54:17 PM »

For the most part, tools needed to complete my first rifle will need to be purchased.
So after the blank has returned from having a barrel channel/ramrod hole drilled, I have a woodworking friend with a serious bandsaw to cut the profile close, but what is the next one or two tools that will be most needed to begin the shaping?
I'm thinking a cabinetmakers rasp maybe?

smallpatch · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2016, 06:09:49 PM »

Ok, you're probably not going to like this, but I love ya, so I got to tell you......... you gotta get some books!!!
People on this board will be glad to help you, but you gotta have some idea where you're going with this first. Ya need a plan first! You've got some serious inletting before you even touch a rasp. You'll know what tools you need, when you know where you're going next.
I'd bet most of the builders here started out with "Recreating the American Longrifle"
Please accept this in the spirit it is given.

Cory Joe Stewart · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2016, 06:22:32 PM »

Smallpatch makes some great points. There are also some great DVDs out there from American Pioneer Video.

As far as what tools to get. I have shaped from a blank using all hand tools. I have a bandsaw now to help that. But it can only do about 20% of the stock removal.

I start with a hand plane. Just a Stanley that my mom bought me at Lowes when I was a kid. Some folks use draw knives, but I have difficulty control one as well as I would like. Then I move on to a rasp. You will want to get a good rasp and a rough and smoother one. You will also want to get a round rasp. Depending on the style you are building.

Cory Joe Stewart

WadePatton · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2016, 06:37:32 PM »

I find the farriers' rasp to be a great tool for moving a LOT of wood quickly where I cannot trust my single-edged tools. Try your local feed store, about 20 bucks for the "entry level". Be very cautious with the aggressive side, it gouges deeply and will rip/shred if used against a strong grain.

WadePatton · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2016, 06:44:03 PM »

Quote from: smallpatch on November 27, 2016, 06:09:49 PM

Ok, you're probably not going to like this, but I love ya, so I got to tell you......... you gotta get some books!!!
People on this board will be glad to help you, but you gotta have some idea where you're going with this first. Ya need a plan first! You've got some serious inletting before you even touch a rasp. You'll know what tools you need, when you know where you're going next.
I'd bet most of the builders here started out with "Recreating the American Longrifle"
Please accept this in the spirit it is given.

This too. We puts all the pieces onto the stock and THEN take away the slab shape. The slab sides provide much easier drilling and fitting that any curved surface as well as a reference faces for layout. Don't "precarve" your stock and hamper your progress in the proper fitting and fixing of your components and furnishings.

Also SAVE every chunk of wood for finish experimentation, tool handles, and patching up things. Just in case.

Uncle Alvah · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2016, 06:50:54 PM »

Quote

Please accept this in the spirit it is given.

Friend, I spent eight years in a Catholic grade school and I spent 6 years tending bar and bouncing. I am the furthest thing from thin-skinned and your advice is welcome and appreciated.

I have been shopping for books, or more specifically, a book, as well. However, at the risk of sounding foolish or fatalistic, at 63, $100+ books are a mite stout.
I'm fixing to post a new thread on that actually.

Daryl · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2016, 09:35:47 PM »

I tried a hatchet for rough shaping - once. Hacker Martin or maybe someone else did it that way and wrote it up. Judging correctly when to change to 'safer', 'finer' tools was the hard part for me. I then decided I didn't have the patience to make ML rifles - I do like shooting, them though.

bama · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2016, 10:04:01 PM »

It does not take long to pay for a good reference book. It also does not take long to totaly screw up a $100 dollar+ stock that you have spent hard money to have a barrel inlet and have the ram rod hole drilled. If you do not have an experianced builder close then buy the book, it will pay for itself. I bought my Recreating the American Longrifle 34 years ago and I would not take a $100 today for it, it is in my opinion the best book on the market.

toddsndrsn · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2016, 10:44:01 PM »

The search function on this website is marvelous. Most of the questions you are going to ask have already been answered a thousand times in a thousand different ways. I'm still working on my first gun from a precarved stock so my knowledge base is limited, but has come from searching this forum, reading a couple books (yes they have been worth the price), and working with several other like minded individuals. Files, rasps, planes, scrapers, and a spoke shave are all good to have and are a lot more forgiving than a band saw for a new builder like me that hates rotating equipment with sharp teeth. I like my fingers too much.

Here's a video from TVM that might give you an idea about using a band saw though. It's more of demonstration than an instructional, but you might see if it's something that you want to try.
http://www.tennesseevalleymuzzleloading.com/video-reel

Angus · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2016, 11:03:38 PM »

For the more economical route and multi purpose, you might consider a 4 in hand rasp/file. I bought one at the advice of my mentor Bookie while building my first rifle and still use it.

conquerordie · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2016, 12:00:43 AM »

I'm gutless compared to the TVM guy in the video. Is that a 4 inch grinder with some sort of wood trimming disc? Looks fast, but one wrong move, and the tears will fall! I'm sticking with slow methods. Wallace Gusler does the hatchet job in the Gunsmith of Williamsburg

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2016, 05:29:41 AM »

Alva I have only built six guns from scratch so am know expert. But will give this advice. 1 stay with the style you want. Do not change midway through it will show. 2 Work slow an ask questions. 3 If you get flustered or impatient walk away an come back to it another time. Take it from someone who's been there.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #12 on:** November 28, 2016, 09:35:58 AM »

You can't go wrong with the #49 and #50 pattern makers rasps from Nicholson. You will also need a round rat tail bastard file. I use a 6" one that is about 3/8" in diameter. A large #3 and #6 gouge will help with wood removal around the butt and check piece. Those will get you started. I use small planes and scrapers for final shaping.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #13 on:** November 28, 2016, 09:44:37 AM »

I also wanted to reiterate the need for reference books. I spend at least $1200 on parts for a nice rifle. You should spend at least that much on your library. This is not a cheap hobby. Not as expensive as some, but not cheap to get the right tools. Some tools you will have to make.

Herb · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2016, 05:55:20 PM »

Most books you could want are available on an Interlibrary Loan. Find the name of the book and the author and go to your librarian. She will send out on the net to see who (library) has it and will loan it, then order it in for you. It won't cost you anything and you can see if you want to buy one, or study what you need to know and renew it if necessary. I have even gotten a book from the Library of Congress, if I remember correctly.

Ky-Flinter · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2016, 07:31:17 PM »

Retail price on the book “Recreating the American Longrifle” is currently $35.00 from www.shumwaypublisher.com/shop/ or https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/321/1/BOOK-RAL or other ML suppliers. A bargain!

You can't have too many reference books, but if I could only have one book on long rifle building, this would be it.

-Ron

Jerry V Lape · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2016, 07:39:52 PM »

Get the basic books, Recreating the American Longrifle and The Art of Building the Pennsylvania Longrifle, and study. If you don't have a basic understanding of how and what to build next you will become very frustrated and never complete the first rifle. Remember the original builders began with a long apprenticeship under a Master builder who made them practice all the parts repeatedly before moving to the next step in building. Most of us on here are apprentices (that's me for sure) but there are several Masters on here who will most graciously share their knowledge to help. I managed to build my first rifle without their assistance but it took me about 5 years! Got to love the work of building/problem solving or you should just buy a rifle.

B Staley · « **Reply #17 on:** November 28, 2016, 09:02:30 PM »

I just ordered Recreating the American Longrifle from Track this morning 34.99 plus shipping

Uncle Alvah · « **Reply #18 on:** November 28, 2016, 09:37:36 PM »

I need to jump in here and say how much I appreciate all the advice and insight, suggestions.

Recreating the Kentucky Longrifle is in the mail to me as we speak.

I do have this little book in my collection, must have bought it 30 years ago. Surprised I still have actually. Kinda crude in format, the text is typewritten but hey, I'm sure I can learn something from it.

Dale Campbell · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2016, 02:59:03 AM »

I started with that book as well (40 some years ago). Use the shaping techniques as a way to learn, and how things should fit together. But don't use the patterns and designs. So much is available now, even just on this site, on how to design a better looking and fitting rifle.

FALout · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2016, 05:30:38 AM »

I've got that book in my collection also.
You will like the book "Recreating the American Longrifle"

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Author Topic: Rough shaping a blank (Read 6119 times)

Uncle Alvah

Uncle Alvah

toddsndrsn

B Staley

Uncle Alvah