Sideplate

[Cody Tetachuk]

So, awhile back I had a bit of time so I cut out the side plate for my lehigh. I knew before making it that I had screwed up by shaping the rear part of the side panel. The sideplate comes precariously close to the edge of the panel in a few spots, particularily above the screw. This will make it difficult to inlet as the side of the panel may want to break out. Just have to go slow. Should have made and inlet the plate first, then brought the panel down to size. Oh well, always up for a challenge .  Anyway, this is it, held in place by the screw along with a picture of what it is to look like. Comments welcome, smartass or otherwise.

[Acer Saccharum]

Well, Xxxxxx, it ain't inlet yet. you can make the inlay smaller anywhere you want, just change the art a bit.

Also it's entirely practical to inlay it where it is, the way it is.

It wouldn't bother me a nit if the inlay was close to the edge.

Must be raining if you're getting out the gun........

[Dave B]

Cody,
 The plate looks great. I think your ok if you just reduce the head of the screw just alittle (if its not counter sunk into the plate as of yet)and the plate just a little, it will drop in with out a lick of trouble. I have seen some original plates that were visible through the top lock panel. Its rare but I have seen it. Yours will be fine.
It seems to me that they old timers did very much the same. You ever wonder what the side plate is doing so close to the edge of the lock panel. Those lock bolts look like the heads are a bit too high and should be trimmed down a bit

[Cody Tetachuk]

I will be reducing the screw head diameter a bit to allow for more 'flower' around it but the plate will stay as is. You can see in the drawing, the plate is just as close to the edge as planned, I just would have felt better inlaying it prior to bringing the panel down so close. You think I should shorten the screw heads??? gee, I was going to leave them as they are and knurl them so they can be removed and installed without a turnscrew

[E.vonAschwege]

I think it looks great Cody!  Like Tom said, you COULD slim down the sideplate in some areas to make it fit better and make it easier to inlet, but I'd just go for it (slowly).  You often see originals with sideplates reeeeeally close to the edge of the lock panels, they look good that way.  Have fun inletting!
-Eric

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Smartass:   Forget the knurling....make it a wingnut...its easier on your fingers. 
Otherwise:  I think it will look terrific and I am glad it is you inletting the bottom of that shell pattern and not me...... sharp tools, sharp tools!! 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Well Cody.  here's my first post in the new format.  I'm delighted to see you working on the rifle again.  I don't see a problem with the inlet, but if it makes you feel a little less squeemish, I'd reduce the silver a few thou in the danger areas.  It won't take away from the design, which carries itself.  The sidepate on my Kuntz didn't end up where I had planned either.  I hope some summer to be able to fondle that rifle at Heffley, with a cold Bacody in the other hand.

[Cody Tetachuk]

There's no need to reduce the sideplate. It fits exactly as I intended (see drawing). My design in the drawing showed that it would be this close to the edge and I could have reduced it at that time but I don't believe in altering a design just to make it easier. Perhaps this is why I screw things up so often . It would have been easier to inlet had I done that before bringing the panel to shape. I build so seldom that i often forget to plan ahead properly and end up thinking 'Oh yeah, I should have done that first '.

[J. Talbert]

Cody,

I suffer from those same issues.  Too much time between the last project and the current one can lead to repeating those errors about which you said, "I'll know better next time..."

Looks good though, I'm sure you'll get it in there OK.

[Jim Kibler]

Looks just fine to me.  Think you will probably reduce the risk of chipping and splitting if you cut out some of the inlet with a small gouge prior to stabbing in the outline.  I've gotten in the habbit of outlining my inlets with a veiner prior to stabbing in as of late.  Takes just a couple of minutes and seems to work well. 

[B Shipman]

I agree with the above suggestions. Reduce the bolt a little, fix inlay to match and bring the panel right to the edge of it AFTER it's inlet.