My Thumbhole project

[Lon371]

 I am amazed with some of your projects. Very nice work, keep up the good work.

 After seeing several nice rifle stocks, and the prices. I decided I would try my luck. I started with a piece of Black Walnut from the 40's the wifes uncle gave me. I first had it planed and cut with a band saw. Then my shade tree mechanics ways kicked in. I only have a couple power saws and no handtools for woodworking. So I will not scare you with the tools I am using to make this stock. I will tell you they are mostly air powered and automotive tool

First picts are after being planed and cut with a band saw. The second ones are where I am at so far.

Lonny

[LONGTOM]

AWH! Maybe that's what I have been doing wrong.
I have been using woodworking tools instead of automotive air powered tools!     

Looks to be very fine work.
What ever it is that you are using keep with them.     

Nice job so far!


LONGTOM

[oldandslow]

Looks good to me. I have built a couple using machine shop and welding tools.

[AtlLaw]

I have built a couple using machine shop and welding tools.

You and Lon are going to make my heart stop!      "here, use my finely crafted, razor sharp woodworking chisel.  No thanks, I got this jack hammer right here..."      

[oldandslow]

I have built a couple using machine shop and welding tools.

You and Lon are going to make my heart stop!      "here, use my finely crafted, razor sharp woodworking chisel.  No thanks, I got this jack hammer right here..."      

Well, if you get that jackhammer bit sharp enough it shouldn't take long to gnaw something out.    Actually I used a big ol' Jet milling and drilling machine to rout out the barrel channel and action with endmills and router bits. Used 4 1/2" and 7" right angle grinders with sanding pads and a 1/4" die grinder to rough out the out side. Then I went to the precision stuff like chisels and rasps and files. 

[AtlLaw]

I used a big ol' Jet milling and drilling machine to rout out the barrel channel and action with endmills and router bits.

I tell ya, if there's one thing I HATE, it's cutting the barrel channel!  Imagine building a ML rifle and cutting 44 inches of channel for an octagon barrel!       I've heard of people using a router to rough it out, but I never tried... Scrapers, chisels and (if nobodies watching) 40 grit sandpaper... ugh!   

[oldandslow]

I have all the parts gathered up to build a halfstock muzzleloader and have been putting it off because of that barrel channel. I think I have it figured out how to do it with a 45 degree router bit and a 1/2" end mill. Maybe next spring when it warms up and the wind is blowing I will tear into it.

I'm curious how you drill the hole for the ramrod if you don't mind giving away your secrets.

[AtlLaw]

I'm curious how you drill the hole for the ramrod if you don't mind giving away your secrets.

I wish you hadn't asked, this is embarrassing...    I just knew I couldn't keep a long drill from wandering off line, so... after looking at some pre-inlet stocks for ideas, I did just what they did, hogged out the inside of the stock so I only had a small part to drill out.       Okay, now that you've publically humiliated me, I vow the next one I do I will do correctly.   

[oldandslow]

Man, you'r not much help.  That's what I had decided to do but your post about the barrel channel made me think I was going to get some good advice from someone who had it figured out.  I had planned to run a round nosed endmill down the stock for the channel and then glue in a strip between the barrel channel and ramrod hole. Now I may just leave it open.

[Ahshucks]

Maybe one of these would help speed up the design, if you wanted to copy a stock you now have:

http://www.copycarver.com/index.htm

[Lon371]

 May have to look into that one. Thanks for the tip.

Lonny