There must be a trick?

[Scota4570]

I want to cover the end of the patchbox lid with brass.  The end of the lid is a compound curve.  The curves match the butplate.  I'd like the lid end to match the butplate. 

So far I have been forming a piece of brass.  It is close.  I will have to remove the correct amount of wood from the compound curve on the lid,  then attach the sheet brass.  Making a perfect job is harder due to the curves.  This is taking way to long.

I have some thicker brass, 1/8".  I could flat off the batch box lid then attach flat material.  I could then dress off the thicker material to match the butplate?

The spring is already located so I do not want to move the whole lid for adjustment of the fit. 

I feel like I am missing a secret, this should be easy. 

[tallbear]

Scota

I cut a small piece of brass the thickness of what I plan to use on the end of the patchbox.Then I put the small piece of brass inside the cavity at the front of the wood patchbox where the dovetail is so the box doesn't close by the thickness of the brass.Then I shape the wood to the buttplate.Once I remove the small piece of brass the patchbox is shy of the buttplate by the thickness of the brass and shaped as I want.Then it's a simple task to fit the brass to the wood on the end of the patchbox as the shape is already correct and the box is the correct length.Hope that makes sense..

Mitch

[Scota4570]

I was thinking of doing the shim idea.  Thanks for the confirmation.

How about spotting the wood to the brass, use carbon paper?

I was planning on using screws in a partial countersink.  Then removing most of the heads when it all fits right. 

Thanks,
Scot

[Tim Crosby]

 See if this helps:

  https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=76307.msg757429#msg757429

    Tim C.

[J. Talbert]

Scota

I cut a small piece of brass the thickness of what I plan to use on the end of the patchbox.Then I put the small piece of brass inside the cavity at the front of the wood patchbox where the dovetail is so the box doesn't close by the thickness of the brass.Then I shape the wood to the buttplate.Once I remove the small piece of brass the patchbox is shy of the buttplate by the thickness of the brass and shaped as I want.Then it's a simple task to fit the brass to the wood on the end of the patchbox as the shape is already correct and the box is the correct length.Hope that makes sense..

Mitch

I do it the same way.
Jeff

[Scota4570]

Tim's link to Dave's post, 6th picture.  The trick is to avoid compound curves.  The simple curve is fine, only the center of the plate need to be filed to match the butplate. 

I sure can make extra work when I try hard enough. 

[TommyG]

Quote from: tallbear on July 26, 2023, 10:51:40 PM
Scota

I cut a small piece of brass the thickness of what I plan to use on the end of the patchbox.Then I put the small piece of brass inside the cavity at the front of the wood patchbox where the dovetail is so the box doesn't close by the thickness of the brass.Then I shape the wood to the buttplate.Once I remove the small piece of brass the patchbox is shy of the buttplate by the thickness of the brass and shaped as I want.Then it's a simple task to fit the brass to the wood on the end of the patchbox as the shape is already correct and the box is the correct length.Hope that makes sense..

Mitch

I do it the same way.
Jeff

Me too.  I like to match or be a touch oversized on the thickness of the buttplate in that area.  File to final thickness when blending.

[smallpatch]

I have a little different “take” on this.
Leave the wood box lid the same length. Install the end plate, and file to the contours.
It is already shaped properly for the buttplate, so now, file the front of the lid dovetails till it’s flush again.

Easy peasy.

[Scota4570]

It is a woodsrunner kit.  The retainer spring is already located.  So, no dice on that.   

I am not a production guy.  I have only done a couple of these sliding box covers.  I did a Colonial a couple of years ago.  I do not remember so much head scratching.  Maybe I am getting old?  I would have preferred that the lid not be rounded over in addition to following the curve of the but plate.  In the end it is good enough. 

Hey, so the Woodsrunner is an early Virginia rifle.  I am not enamored with the original's but stock carving.  What makers should I be studying for inspiration of plausible  carving and engraving?   I do not want to go hog wild but I want some.  I see this as a hunters' rifle not a museum piece. 

[Jim Kibler]

Looks good!

[flinchrocket]

https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1996-B74-Early-Rifles-of-the-Shenandoah-Valley.pdf   
Here are some  Virginia rifles from the Shenandoah Valley.