It actually worked as planned !

[Tim Ault]

Well after reading just about every topic on the forum about drilling a rod hole . I decided to take the plunge and attempt it . I recently bought a rough profiled stock from a member here with the barrel inlet but without the groove and hole drilled, made myself a bit with a 5/16 brad bit and welded it to a length of round stock , measured marked and measured about 3 more times and then started cutting the groove , measured and calculated some more .  Here goes nothing laid the bit in the groove clamped it nice and snug and started making dust . Drilled about 1/8” and cleaned dust the whole way in , got to my mark on the bit and unclamped it all , didn’t see any holes poking out so that was a good thing , drilled a small hole near the breach in the barrel channel and seems the hole went just were I planned I believe dead center on the bore CL and about 1/8–3/16 web . So as encouragement to anyone thinking about doing it on your own . If I can you can too ! 

[Daniel Coats]

Fantastic! Glad it worked out for you. Do you have any pictures or a description of what the rest of the build will look like?

Congratulations again!

[HighUintas]

Hopefully I'll be joining the success club soon! What did you use to clamp down the drill in the channel while drilling?

[rich pierce]

Excellent!  I’m working on getting a spoon bit ramrod drill setup. I’m guessing it’s what was used in the flint period.

[ed lundquist]

Good job!

[Tim Ault]

Fantastic! Glad it worked out for you. Do you have any pictures or a description of what the rest of the build will look like?

Congratulations again!

.  Thanks Dan , it is going to be a short 24 ga flint Fowler  no real copy of anything I’ve seen yet just a plain simple gun .

[Tim Ault]

Hopefully I'll be joining the success club soon! What did you use to clamp down the drill in the channel while drilling?

.   
   I just clamped two pieces of hardwood in the vice and drilled a 5/16 hole down the seam . Laid it on the bit and clamped it down .

[LynnC]

You did it right!

For those less inclined to risk it, I would offer the following.

If you clear the chips every 1/8” or so you will drill a hole exactly where you want it to go. Clip clearing is essential to keeping your bit on target. Starting the hole is probably the most important of all. If the bit wants to lift out of the RR channel you need to square up or even carve a starter cavity for the bit to follow. Clamp that bit down in the RR channel. If I can do it, Anyone can as I have for the last 30 + years 😉. I only had to screw one up to figure out what I did wrong.

And Tim did it right the first timm 😉 YMMV

[yip]

  nice job Tim!

[oldtravler61]

  Congrats Tim.  Like everything in building patience is the key.

[Tim Crosby]

 Makes you feel Good, doesn't it and you can breath easily again

  Tim C.

[Tim Ault]

Makes you feel Good, doesn't it and you can breath easily again

  Tim C.

. Indeed I am grateful for all the knowledge I’ve gained for being a member here and having access to everyone’s skills they share .  And YES I can breath again ! Think I held my breath for about the first minute after I hit the trigger on that drill   

[Hatchet-Jack]

Congratulations! I am going to get some help on doing this for my first build from a blank soon.

[smylee grouch]

I remember my first and it could be said that ignorance is bliss. I didn't know a thing about it and borrowed a long drill and used a brace and drilled it out. Came out just where I wanted it. When I called the guy that I got the drill from he said he would come over and help me drill it, I told him I had already done it and then he started telling me about all the problems that people have doing the job. I did many after that and it was always nerve wracking for me when I did. In about 25 or 30 I have only had one go off and that went into the barrel channel so I have been pretty lucky.

[Daniel Coats]

The last one I drilled I had the barrel installed and pinned in the stock. My purpose wasn't so much to keep the drill bit out of the barrel channel as it was to hold the stock straight.

Might be pretzel logic but it worked perfectly.

[Tim Crosby]

 I did a 1/4" once for a .29 with a 42" barrel, it was like drilling with a coat hanger but it came out fine. Took for what seemed like forever and yes I was holding  my breath.

   Tim C.