Author Topic: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith  (Read 2379 times)

Offline Eric Smith

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Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« on: September 15, 2020, 11:13:49 AM »


Thought this YouTube might help some one. This is only one way of doing this job. Others may do it differently.
Eric Smith

Offline Not English

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2020, 08:21:47 PM »
Clay, I found the video fascinating. Inletting a lock has always been my least favorite step in gunmaking. I think I'll be trying some of your techniques.

Offline BrianS

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2020, 08:34:09 PM »
I've seen a number of this guy's videos... each being both entertaining and extremely informative. I don't recall seeing this one on lock inletting, though.  THANKS... directly applicable to my current project (which is going a lot slower than I hoped). I love his persona as "grumpy" but, honestly, I find him quite charming. I've known much grumpier people...  :)

Offline rmnc3r

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2020, 09:47:15 PM »
I use a Dremel 220 Router Attachment, instead of a full sized or trim router,  for most of the work. Finishing up with chisels, gouges and scrapers.

I cut to depth in a couple of passes 'cause a Dremel will bog down if going too deep all at once.





« Last Edit: September 15, 2020, 10:03:41 PM by rmnc3r »

Offline Frank

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2020, 10:31:39 PM »
Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.

Offline smallpatch

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2020, 10:40:46 PM »
I agree with Frank.... one slip, and get a new piece of wood.
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Dane

Offline canadianml1

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2020, 10:46:32 PM »
Power tools like the Dremel allow you to make bigger mistakes faster than ever!

Offline Stoner creek

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2020, 10:52:13 PM »
Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.
It takes practice, self confidence, and finesse. 30+ years at the bench and I’ve never had to abort a project because of a router boo-boo. I’ve inlet at least 150 locks with a router.
 Inlet a lock into a scrap piece of wood. Do it two or three times. If you doubt yourself then, get your chisels out and go to hoggin’!
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Offline Eric Smith

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2020, 11:17:07 PM »
Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.
It takes practice, self confidence, and finesse. 30+ years at the bench and I’ve never had to abort a project because of a router boo-boo. I’ve inlet at least 150 locks with a router.
 Inlet a lock into a scrap piece of wood. Do it two or three times. If you doubt yourself then, get your chisels out and go to hoggin’!

Lots of ways to do it. Find out what works for you. No loss in inletting a lock into a piece of scrap wood.
Eric Smith

Offline Wingshot

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2020, 02:41:10 AM »
From my bow making days I can remember a mentor telling me this, “power tools are great for one thing, ruining hours of work in a tenth of a second.”

Offline Cory Joe Stewart

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2020, 02:47:35 AM »
Nope. No power tools for me. Good way to ruin a stock.
It takes practice, self confidence, and finesse. 30+ years at the bench and I’ve never had to abort a project because of a router boo-boo. I’ve inlet at least 150 locks with a router.
 Inlet a lock into a scrap piece of wood. Do it two or three times. If you doubt yourself then, get your chisels out and go to hoggin’!

Stoner, how about a tutorial on a barrel inlet with a router??

Cory Joe Stewart

Offline Stoner creek

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2020, 02:54:33 AM »
I'm not a tech guy. Maybe someone else could film it. I give free lessons in person though. Straight barrels are a breeze.
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Offline P.W.Berkuta

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2020, 07:21:55 PM »
I've use a Dremel with the router attachment and my chisels and both worked out OK. Now that my eyesight and coordination is not as sharp as it once was I prefer my chisels.
"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it." - Chinese proverb

Offline Mule Brain

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #13 on: September 16, 2020, 10:41:32 PM »
He didn't seem very grumpy to me, and you can use power tools at your own peril

The gunsmith manual I have recommends routers for in-letting 

So much depends on experience, you have with the power tools. I inlet-ted my first lock with a large router, close to the lock plate outline. Whats nice, is you can get a flat bed depth you want much faster. I just got a couple dremels as well. If you do screw up, hopefully it will be a learning experience

Can you imagine if they had electricity in the 18th century?   
« Last Edit: September 17, 2020, 01:01:54 AM by Mule Brain »
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Offline smart dog

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2020, 12:19:19 AM »
Hi,
Here is use of a Dremel and round burr to widen a ramrod groove.  The precarve stock had a 1/4" groove for a metal rammer, something incorrect for the gun.  The gun required a 5/16" groove for a wooden rod.  So I pop a 5/16 burr in my dremel, lightly holding it the groove and letting the groove guide it.


This requires skill, finesse, and brass ones.

dave


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Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2020, 12:34:49 AM »
Power tools like the Dremel allow you to make bigger mistakes faster than ever!

Or fast mistakes bigger than ever.I cam e very close using my milling machine
at maximum RPM which is 3200 supposedly on a lock inlet.
Bob Roller

Offline Not English

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Re: Lock Inlet By The Grumpy Gunsmith
« Reply #16 on: September 17, 2020, 05:55:37 AM »
I use a round nose end mill in a milling machine for cutting the ramrod groove. Most endmills will fit in large routers. It wouldn't take much to set up some sort of guide if a milling machine isn't available to cut the ramrod groove. Straight barrel channels kind of fall in the same category.