Patchbox Advice

[Mike Lyons]

I’m getting ready to start on the patchbox.   I have quite a few reference pictures and I’ve measured an original and transferred those measures to my rifle but I still want some advice before I go flinging chips.  I have it barely glued on just so I can stare at it a couple days.  Like always,  I appreciate all advice.

[Mike Brooks]

Well, I was baffled at this point with mine. "Usually" I point the box at the center of the wrist. After looking at the lehighs on the KRA discs I found many of them point slightly higher than that, in fact many point at the top of the center of the wrist or there about. I spent an afternoon starring at different positions until I went for broke and slammed it in. A few days after it was in I decided I may have gotten pointed maybe 1/8" to high. It's the strange architecture that creates this problem. I'd suggest studying the KRA dvd's  before you nail it  down. Best help I can give.....

[Scota4570]

The box looks a little big to me.  Take some scans or photos of it.  Print them out true size.  Use them to experiment with on the stock .  I would see how it look with the box and lid thinned a little along the flat part of the lid. 

[Mike Lyons]

Took your advice Mike and studied the discs and a few well made Lehigh again. After seeing these pictures,  my lines were horrid!!  I think I’ve got them close now.    It’s starting to look like a gun.

[Mike Brooks]

That looks pretty good. Do you still have to file your cheek star flush? The pics make it look a little proud yet.

Do you wear that pink bathrobe with the white polka dots while you ride your Harley?

[Mike Lyons]

I’ve had the bike out one time for about 15 minutes this year. It’s covered in dust. As for the pink  bathrobe,  sometimes you just can’t say no to comfort.  Haha

[Jeff Durnell]

Has anyone made a patch box curved to match the contour of the stock?

[Mike Brooks]

Has anyone made a patch box curved to match the contour of the stock?

All of mine do.

[Elnathan]

Has anyone made a patch box curved to match the contour of the stock?

All of mine do.

I think he might mean curved to match the profile of the stock, not curved to match the cross section of the stock.

[Tim Crosby]

Has anyone made a patch box curved to match the contour of the stock?

 Take a look at this:

  http://www.flintriflesmith.com/ToolsandTechniques/making_a_curved_box_hinge.htm

    Tim C.

[bama]

I think you have left the cross section of the butt stock a little heavy which is going to present a little problem for your patch box hinge. The Leihigh rifles are fairly petite and slender which is hard to get a feel for from pictures. Since you already have the star inlaid on the cheek side it may make the butt stock look odd if you flatten out the patch box side to help the hinge out but I would try to flatten out if possible. You have done a pretty good job so far on the rifle, your fit and surface prep look good. If you can not flatten the stock any make a wood form to the same contour of the butt stock and use that to shape the hinge to fit the stock. Good luck

[Jeff Durnell]

Sorry, I could have been more clear. Yes, I meant curved longitudinally to follow the lines of the stock if indeed it has a curved side profile, or 'curved drop'. I don't recall seeing a patchbox curved that way.

[Mark Elliott]

For future reference, one thing about putting curve in a patchbox hinge is that it should be done before the knuckles are cut and the hinge assembled.  Otherwise,  you are going to open up gaps in the top of the hinge.   You are just going to have to do the best you can with what you have.  When forming a patchbox,  I don't put as much curve in the hinge itself as the metal fore and aft and to either side of the main body of the hinge.   This works out well as it is harder to bend the hinge section.   I have a hard maple form that I use to form brass boxes.   For iron/steel boxes,  I use a fuller and swage block at the forge.  All of this is before the knuckles are cut.   You do have to get the curve the same (or pretty close) in both the lid and the finial.

[J. Talbert]

This PB hinge has significant curvature and was made as Gary Brumfield explains in the article linked   above in Tim's post.
Works just fine. 



Jeff

[Mike Brooks]

This PB hinge has significant curvature and was made as Gary Brumfield explains in the article linked   above in Tim's post.
Works just fine. 

Nope, impossible, I've been told a curved hinge defies the laws of physics. Of course I don't know nothin' 'bout no physics so they don't give me no troubles.

[Mike Lyons]

Thank you for the advice.  This one came from TOTW and I bent it very carefully with pliers.

[Mike Brooks]

Thank you for the advice.  This one came from TOTW and I bent it very carefully with pliers.

I anneal mine, dig a ditch for the hinge knuckles and screw it down to the stock followed by a few cleverly placed whacks with what ever is handy. Settles those beasties right down where they ought to be. Then trace around it and proceed to inlet.

[brokenflint]

Which kra discs are these bad boys on?

[Mike Brooks]

2010 Presidents display. Vol. I Issue III