Planks w/barrel channel and ramrod drilled

[David R. Pennington]

All my builds including my first were from a plank. I plane the top and lock siides true and square to each other and lay out the barrel's minimum width on the top and set the depth on my table saw to cut to the depth the skinniest part of the barrel (if it's swamped) will set in the stock and with a rip fence cut two grooves that will be where the bottom flat is. Next I lower the blade and adjust fence and cut to the depth of the side flats. After this I cut off the top down to half the barrel depth. I hog out the rest with chisels and scrapers and inlet the breech. I kind of enjoy drilling rammer holes. I probably should not say this but haven't had one run astray yet. I use a bit brace and make my bits up with brad point drills brazed to a long rod. Lube with tallow and pull out and clean shavings out often.
I did one oct. round barrel build all with hand tools just to see if I could. Again I am doing this for a hobby for fun and am not in a hurry. I might well use a quicker method if I were trying to make a living at it.

[Bill Raby]

I would rather do it by hand. Don't care how long it takes.

[goodtime7]

Mark Weader has done several barrel and RR inlets for me over that last couple of years.   He also does an excellent job on precarves.    Mark did a TN that I really like.   Absolutely no complaints.    I dropped off a blank at his shop on the way back from Dixons last July.  Mark gave me a tour of his shop etc.    It does get a little pricey shipping maple blanks around the country.   Mark will answer any questions over the phone.....nice guy.   Bruce

[delivered]

Glad to hear that Fred is still with us!
Give me a rush there for a minute!!
I bought a barrel from Rice and give it to Fred @ Lexington; Fred put it in a nice piece of Q maple and shipped it to me in a couple of weeks
Used to do the same thing with him and Don Getz @ Dixions years ago.
Sure do miss Don:(

[P.W.Berkuta]

Sorry for the bad info -- got the wrong Fred .

[T*O*F]

I can possibly arrange it to pick up my blank(s) from Tiger Hunt

Unless I'm mistaken, Tiger Hunt can inlet your barrel and do the ramrod if you drop your barrel off to him.

[Mauser06]

Thanx TOF. I will certainly check.  I think their website says they can do Getz and Colerain swamps.  Wasnt sure if I went with a Rice or something.   He's like 2hrs east. So some phone calls and such will be made before I go anywhere.  And of course I will have a barrel in hand.   

[Mike Brooks]

You know they got this thing called Mail and you can just mail that thing anywhere you want right?

[tddeangelo]

So that is something I've been wondering.... isn't a 5-foot long chunk of wood along with a 3'-4' steel pipe kinda pricey to ship?

[Mauser06]

Mail?  What's a mail???   Lol.


I understand that's certainly an option. And very likely what I have to do.  But if it's a 200mi round trip it's say $30 in gas...And a days time. 


Just have to make phone calls when I'm ready and see how I can work it all out. 

[T*O*F]

If you're buying you stock blanks from him, send him your barrel to inlet so it's ready when you arrive to pick up your blanks.  He won't do it while you wait.  It's either two trips or mail him the barrel and one trip.

[Mike Brooks]

Mail?  What's a mail???   Lol.


I understand that's certainly an option. And very likely what I have to do.  But if it's a 200mi round trip it's say $30 in gas...And a days time. 


Just have to make phone calls when I'm ready and see how I can work it all out.

$30 worth of gas and a days drive adds up to be about $200 for me. Of course you know, since you hand deliver this stuff doesn't mean the barrel is going to be inlet while you wait....... unless you have a couple months of camping in the guy's yard in mind.

I can usually ship for $50-$60 for a plank and a barrel.

[oldtravler61]

  All depends on who's paying the tab. He might just enjoy the trip an checking someone's shop out. Oldtravler