building a Sharps

[Buckaroo Lou]

Outstanding! I am really enjoying this thread. Please keep the photos coming.

[Baltimore Ed]

I just got through doing this on my 73 the easy way with a semi inlet stock. I?ve only done two from a blank and what Kent is doing is not for the faint of heart. Beautiful work there Kent. Endeavor to persevere.

[Otter]

Outstanding work, Kent. I envy your abilities. I fitted a "pre-inletted" buttstock and forend on a Rem Rolling Block action and a Badger #1 heavy barrel. Took me a month and the buttplate took about two of those weeks. Turned out OK, but nothing like your project is proceeding. Keep posting the pictures of your progress. Kudos to you, sir.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Holy cow pies, Kent

First a log cabin, now a Sharps. What's next? You going to build a car?

Seriously, superior work and photos. I'm beyond green (maybe brown) with envy.

Reverend Chase

[Kent Shootwell]

I?m glad you guys are finding this interesting. The cabin was hard for me as I have little understanding of how or why to do things to accomplish the work. This is a straight forward project since this is exactly what I did for a living at one time.

[PJ Hardtack]

There's likely a job opportunity for you at Shiloh or C. Sharps ... 

[Kent Shootwell]

Been there done that. Retired and staying that way!

[shrapnel]

That is very interesting, congratulations on such a fine build. I learned a long time ago that I wouldn't live in, drive or shoot anything I would build...

[Kent Shootwell]

Had to take a short break from things to help some doctors make their boat payments. I got to ride a cat scan, have a EKG, donate some blood and various other thrills. Now I get to carry nitroglycerin around. I question the wisdom of anyone that would trust me with that.
Got the action in and working so stated on the butt plate.
IMG_0489 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[Buckaroo Lou]

Vert nice. Looks like it is coming right along.

Did you cut and fit the stock to the receiver by hand or do you have the equipment to copy a stock and then do the final fitting by hand?

[Kent Shootwell]

Thanks Lou. I haven't any equipment to copy a stock. That would also mean I'd have to make pattern as well. This one is all chisels, files, and scrapers.
The only special equipment I have is a heat treat furnace for the color case hardening. I used to do that as a side job and for my own work.
Here's a sample form back in the day. The engraving isn't my work though. I don't have near enough talent for that!

2015-08-18 001 2015-08-18 002 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[Coffinmaker]

I have to agree completely with Kent.  There is a certain wonderfulness being retired.  I've retired from three different careers.  Retirement is my fourth and last career.  I intend, this time, to stay retired.  And That's The Way it IS.

That rifle you're building is absolutely the Beez Kneez.  Absolutely gorgeous work.  As a Master Cabinet Maker (Retired) I am just drooling over the stock work and just can't hardly wait for the finish to go on.  Wish it were MINE!!

[Kent Shootwell]

Got the most part of the rough shaping done and stuck enough of it together to see how it fits. I think it will do. A bit more shaping then sanding and the finish work can start. Had to wet it to bring out the figure that is showing up well. The other side is nicer.
I imagine some one will start waving big handfuls of cash around after plying me with copious amounts of whiskey someday and have this one. NOT! It's the only one I made for me and I'm keeping it.
IMG_0492 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[dusty texian]

That'a a dandy looking Sharp's Kent . Great craftsmanship .,,,DT

[Professor Marvel]

Ooooh Kent , this Sharps is going so beautifully!

every now and then I think about posting one of my abominations  debacles projects and then I see work like this and say
Prof, A Man has To Know His Limitaitons!

yhs
prof (not so marvelous at this kind of work!)

[Coal Creek Griff]

I was going to ask for the sale price (measured in whiskey), but I won't.  Then I was going to post a photo of a rubber band gun that I made out of popsicle sticks, but the gun fell apart before I could take the picture.  I'll just have to stick with marveling at the work that you've done and congratulating you!  You are really going to enjoy this one!

CC Griff

[Buckaroo Lou]

Oh Man, Oh Man! What an awesome looking rifle! I am sooooo jealous. You are a man of true talent!

[Kent Shootwell]

Thanks guys, the stock finish is started. I do a sanded in finish and at this point the surface is the slurry that is the wood and oil that is produced by sanding wet with 320 grit wet or dry paper. Then sanded again after drying leaving the slurry to dry again. I'll wet sand it once or twice more to remove the slurry. By wet I mean with oil. That will leave a filled grain that has no build up to accept the finial finish. During this time I'm sanding the metal to prepare for color case hardening.
IMG_0498 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

[dusty texian]

Beautiful piece of walnut , and craftsmanship beyond compare . Cant wait to see it all together .,,,DT

[Tascosa Joe]

Any updates on the project?