Author Topic: Slow progress getting back into building  (Read 2168 times)

Offline Ken G

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Slow progress getting back into building
« on: July 27, 2021, 06:50:20 PM »
Getting back into building after a 10+ year hiatus has been a painfully slow process.  Having to remake a lot of misplaced specialty tools. Fear of removing too much wood somewhere has really slowed things down.  Mike Brooks once posted that a lot of builders just plain chicken out before thinning the forearm wood down enough.  I've been reminded of that and chuckling to myself as I slowly slim her down how accurate a statement that is.     

Anyway, feels good getting to a point where it is starting to look like a rifle.  Long way to go yet.  I'll try not to chicken out before getting her slimmed down enough.  LOL.   

Cheers,
Ken




Failure only comes when you stop trying.

Offline Cades Cove Fiddler

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2021, 07:55:00 PM »
 ;D ;D.... good to see you back at it, Ken,.... great talking with you in Knoxville back in the Spring,... a Soddy rifle is perfect for your location, and I know you will do it right,.... Always have admired your work,... A Tennessee builder, building historically correct Tennessee rifles  is a winner,... !!! ... Keep posting progress here,.... Regards,... Cades Cove Fiddler

Offline LilysDad

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2021, 08:11:16 PM »
It looks as though you chickened out on the butt plate.

Offline Ken G

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2021, 08:48:18 PM »
CCF,  Thanks for the encouragement and kind words.  It's in my blood.   

LilyDad,  I haven't chickened out.  Butt plate is still in progress and needs to go forward a little before screwing her down. 

Cheers,
Ken
Failure only comes when you stop trying.

Offline LilysDad

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2021, 10:52:50 PM »
Sorry! I was just referring to all the lines  emoji.drawn around the butt. I should have included a laugh emoji.

Offline Ken G

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2021, 11:46:03 PM »
 :) They all have meaning to me or were at least a thought at one point.  LOL.  Guess I should have gussied it up a little before posting a pic.   ;)

Cheers,
Ken
Failure only comes when you stop trying.

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2021, 12:17:02 AM »
:) They all have meaning to me or were at least a thought at one point.  LOL.  Guess I should have gussied it up a little before posting a pic.   ;)

Cheers,
Ken
I write cryptic messages to my self all over a stock while I'm shaping it. ;D
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2021, 10:28:51 AM »
 Looking good, keep'em coming.

  Tim

Offline Robby

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2021, 02:02:03 PM »
Glad to see you are back at it! Always liked your works!!!
Robby
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Offline oldtravler61

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2021, 05:05:51 PM »
  Looking good to me. Your way ahead of my Soddy. I'm still working on my outdoor honey do list. Typical summer lol
 Oldtravler

Offline Ken G

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2021, 05:40:35 PM »
Thanks for all the encouragement guys.   I'm looking forward to getting this one under my belt and moving forward. 

Mike, at least I know I'm in good company doing my stock doodles.   
Failure only comes when you stop trying.

Offline tim crowe

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2021, 10:20:18 PM »
What caliber?

Offline Ken G

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2021, 10:51:32 PM »
.40 caliber.  42" barrel
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2021, 12:41:39 AM »
 Jez ken, you mean it isn't done yet :D

   Tim

Offline RedRiverII

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2021, 05:40:13 AM »
Best of luck Ken.  I didn't want to admit I'm a chicken with my first kit build.  But I am,  starting and making excuses is my specialty.  Thanks.

Offline elkhorne

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #15 on: August 09, 2021, 06:16:44 AM »
Ken/Alex,
I get the same way but learned a little trick from Bill Raby. He explained what he has to do to make a video and it would help anyone. If one will slow down and think about how to explain what he is getting ready to do and the best way to do it. He says it forces him to slow down a bit and before he does anything, he has to stop and think exactly what he is going to say, the best way to explain what he is going to do so it makes sense to you and anybody watching. When you are doing something for the first time and you do not really know what you are doing, you have to think BEFORE you do anything. For instance, you look at a step, think about how to explain it to someone exactly what you are going to do, why you are doing it and what you have to watch out for. At every step, you take the time to think it through. That will get rid of a lot of problems. Trouble comes when you quit paying attention to what you are doing or get in a hurry. If you get tired or can’t focus, STOP and come back tomorrow when you have a clearer head and can re-think your step. If we all approached our builds and especially first time tasks like this, we might avoid many problems. Hope this helps but Bill really made sense when he discussed this on his Issac Haines rifle build
elkhorne

Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #16 on: August 09, 2021, 08:48:03 AM »
Hey Ken, good to see you and your work here again.
Tim A.
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Offline Bill Raby

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #17 on: August 09, 2021, 09:43:09 AM »
   Chicken out before thinning it down. I am running into that big time on my current project. Last one was a 4 bore rifle. Everything on it was massive. I got used to looking at it. Now I am working on a skinny rifle. Every time I look at it it looks like there is already too much wood gone.

   elkhorne has it right.

Offline Craig Wilcox

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #18 on: August 09, 2021, 05:20:14 PM »
Raby does give good advice, well thought out.  But, as he will tell you, his way is not the only way, or even the best way.  He is a great teacher in that regard.  He recognizes that people are different, both in their manner of thinking, and in their manner of doing.
Craig Wilcox
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Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #19 on: August 10, 2021, 08:58:01 PM »
It's nice to see you back in the building mode! Have you re-created your forge?

Bill
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Offline Ken G

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #20 on: August 10, 2021, 09:00:56 PM »
Forge has been up and going for years.  I did swap over to gas at my wife's request.  She hated the coal dust and fumes.  To be honest, I like being able to turn the gas on, forge a bit and cut it off myself.   

Ken
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Offline Ken G

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #21 on: August 24, 2021, 04:55:48 AM »
Making a little progress.  She's in a weight loss program right now.  At least it is starting to look like a Soddy.

Ken





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Online Daniel Coats

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Re: Slow progress getting back into building
« Reply #22 on: August 24, 2021, 05:05:17 AM »
Ken I like where you're going with this!!

Got that Soddy Daisy look!
Dan

"Ain't no nipples on a man's rifle"