First build - Kibler

[Jimclassjr]

Good afternoon guys. I’m waiting on my first kit from Jim Kibler a 45 caliber SMR. I’ll give you guys a little history how I landed here because that’s always interesting to some but first a few questions about tools and things I may need. I intend to put together more kits and maybe do a more extensive build in the future if I get enough confidence with the kits. So I don’t mind investing in tools I would still be happy to own after working with them.

I have a list but there 3 things I hope to buy right the first time. 1) chisel set 2) file set of what files to start? 3) what lock spring vise to buy?

I couldn’t be newer to this and appreciate your advice, insight and help. I don’t have much of a wood of metal working background and wouldn’t have considered trying this if it was not for Jim’s videos of the entire process.

[Marcruger]

My advice on tools is to buy quality the first time, and avoid having to buy again soon.  The experts here will steer you towards good makers. 

I don't think mainspring vises have much stress on them, and aren't used that much, so just buy from a reputable maker and you'll be fine. 

God Bless,   Marc

[Jimclassjr]

For those who may be interested how I ended up here waiting for my first kit.
I’ve loved hunting as long as I’ve been here lol but I have to say archery and more specifically now a days traditional archery. Through that I met one of my best buddies David. We ended up hunting together a lot and some of that was muzzle loader season. So the first ML season there I was perfectly happy with my savage inline shooting smokeless powder with a Leupold 3x9 and David with his chipped piece of stone and filed sights... muzzle loader! I can only imagine how many questions I asked.

A year and a half later David said he found two incomplete CVA big bore kits from a friend Steve in Pa. that he shot with at different events. He always wanted a .54 and was excited enough that he got me excited too. I didn’t know how I would finish it but I wanted to try.  I asked him to see if he could Get one for me too. He came home with two partial kits and being the great friend he is said he would build my gun for me if I paid for the parts. Being a tool maker and having put together a couple kits he was excited to get started. David custom made many parts of the rifle that were missing or like the trigger guard that he didn’t like the original. That made it special and unique until he put together his .54 kit a year later and built it exactly the same. It’s by far my most cherished weapon.

That December I took a week off and met him for muzzle loader season and he presented me with my rifle. We went to the range shot it for the day and sighted it in with a worked up hunting load and the next morning with all my loaned Gear I was Still hunting in the snow with my new rifle. It was amazing:)
That week I shot a doe and and an antlerless buck and David shot an antlerless buck. I was hooked! I’m still amazed how accurate a patched round ball can be, and that chipped piece of flint, amazing!
I’ll see if I can post a camp picture from that hunt. Just wonderful.

This past winter I was able to go to the Buckskiners shoot in PA with David and Steve. It was my first time on a busy range like that and shooting different powder charges for different distances, there was a lot to learn. Everyone was so nice though, I had a great time with my big bore rifle Shooting for two days. I have to say that environment appealed to me more than I thought and I filled my calendar with shooting events that have since been canceled sadly. Talking to the shooters at the range led me to a .45 kit.

[Jimclassjr]

[J. Talbert]

Tools have been discussed here many times. I haven’t assembled a Kibler kit but I believe from what I’ve seen and heard of them, that you don’t need much more than one or two small straight chisels and perhaps a half round needle file and a nice half round six or 8 inch medium file that you can get from Gesswein.  Also a 8 to 10 inch single cut mill file to draw file the barrel.   I would say most here agree that chisel and gouge sets are not necessarily worth the investment.  It’s probably more practical to buy individual tools as you see a need, which will become apparent as you gain experience.

Welcome to ALR,
All the best,

Jeff

[Dave Marsh]

Welcome to the ALR.  Nice camp and I'd say you are hooked (make that hook, line and sinker).   

Dave

[Bill Raby]

Go with Pfeil for chisels and Grobet for files. Expensive but you will be glad that you spent the money. Don't forget to get set right for sharpening. Good chisels are worthless if you can't sharpen them. By the time you are done with the first one you will have a good idea of what you will need for the next.

[TommyG]

By all means follow the advice given above about investing in good tools and a sharpening system that works for you.  However during your journey don't overlook flea markets and yard sales to add to that collection.  You would be surprised at what you can find for under 5 bucks if you know what you're looking at, i.e. - old USA made Nicholson files, etc.  I have a Korean made rasp that is one of my go to tools that I paid less than $5.

[Jimclassjr]

Thank you guys. I appreciate your thoughts. I’m excited but nervous, it’s the most I’ve paid for anything I could screw up.

[Eric Krewson]

If you buy a chisel set you will find out you won't hardly ever use anything bigger than the 1/8"and 1/4" ones.

[galudwig]

Don't know if you are anywhere near Friendship, Indiana, but you might want to consider this:

https://www.nmlra.org/news/mikebrookskiblerclass2020

Mike Brooks is an excellent gun builder and a frequent contributor to his forum. If you have any qualms about putting your kit together, I'm sure Mike could put your mind at ease. Take it from me, that while a kit may seemingly go together without much fanfare, it can still be daunting to someone who is inexperienced. Completing one under the tutelage of an experienced builder will place you light-years ahead when it comes to doing the things you need to do, correctly, and without developing bad habits. Mike can also give you good ideas on what tools you will need to bring to class and that will help you many years down the road.

[smallpatch]

Buy quality only! Both in files and chisels.  Never buy a set of either. You’ll end up using one, and putting the others in a drawer.
As was listed above for a Kibler.....
⅛” flat chisel, couple of good flat screwdrivers, flat and half round fine cut rasps, ¼” drill, and it’s done.
Great little rifle.
Here’s my first seven rounds with no load development.

[Deuce50]

Are you from PA Jim?  That sure looks like the ANF in that picture, one of my favorite places to hunt!

[flinchrocket]

Ryan at Muzzleloader Builder Supply makes some small wood chisels from tool steel, reasonable price. I have used these for several years and l am quite satisfied with them. He also has some other useful tools you might be interested in.

[flinchrocket]

Don't know if you are anywhere near Friendship, Indiana, but you might want to consider this:

https://www.nmlra.org/news/mikebrookskiblerclass2020

Mike Brooks is an excellent gun builder and a frequent contributor to his forum. If you have any qualms about putting your kit together, I'm sure Mike could put your mind at ease. Take it from me, that while a kit may seemingly go together without much fanfare, it can still be daunting to someone who is inexperienced. Completing one under the tutelage of an experienced builder will place you light-years ahead when it comes to doing the things you need to do, correctly, and without developing bad habits. Mike can also give you good ideas on what tools you will need to bring to class and that will help you many years down the road.

Apparently,they only have room for 5 people to pull weeds.

[Jim Kibler]

Good afternoon guys. I’m waiting on my first kit from Jim Kibler a 45 caliber SMR. I’ll give you guys a little history how I landed here because that’s always interesting to some but first a few questions about tools and things I may need. I intend to put together more kits and maybe do a more extensive build in the future if I get enough confidence with the kits. So I don’t mind investing in tools I would still be happy to own after working with them.

I have a list but there 3 things I hope to buy right the first time. 1) chisel set 2) file set of what files to start? 3) what lock spring vise to buy?

I couldn’t be newer to this and appreciate your advice, insight and help. I don’t have much of a wood of metal working background and wouldn’t have considered trying this if it was not for Jim’s videos of the entire process.

Jim,

Welcome to ALR and thanks for the post.  You've been given some pretty good advice.  As far as chisels, I agree with Smallpatch.  A 1/4" and 1/8" will be fine.  Any reasonable quality will be fine as there's very little work these will be doing.  A small sharpening stone would be good.  No need to go crazy with anything extravegant.  An exacto knife will also be helpful.  A 6" half round, fine cut file is useful, though not necessary.  A 6-8" mill file is needed for drawfiling the barrel.  A few needle files are good to have as well (flat, triangular).  Just take your time and I'm sure you'll be fine.  As always, if you have any questions, just call.

All the best,
Jim

[wapiti22]

That is a Great picture!!!!!

[Jimclassjr]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer. Through adventures in other venues I realize how questions from the new guys can be, so thanks for your patience. Your thoughts and advice are reassuring, thank you.
Smallpatch awesome target! Lol ty
Eric thank you for posting. Your traditional archery wisdom led me to read all your post I could find in the beginning... I’ve always appreciated you being an active member and straight shooter. Ty sir.
Deuce that photo was from My friends camp in Corning NY. Not that far from the great state of PA
 Jim so nice of you to add to the conversation, many thanks for taking the time and especially making the kit build videos. I wouldn’t be here without them.
I’ll keep you all posted

[Not English]

Jim, all good advice from every one. The only thing not mentioned is the need to grind a safe edge on all flat and 3 square files. Once and awhile it comes in handy on a half round file.

[Jimclassjr]

Thank you English. I appreciate that sir! 

[Craig Wilcox]

Mike Brooks is really going to get a swelled head, and will have to buy larger hats!

But - he does make many of the most wonderful, and down-to-earth, longrifles at reasonable prices.  Seems to be pretty good at sharing his lifetime of experience and knowledge.

If I were a younger man, I would sure take advantage of the Friendship classes.  Be better than pulling weeds any day.