[aprayinbear]

Please help me jump over my fears....

In the past I've "assembled" a couple of kit guns (a Caywood and a CVA.) I'd like to start from scratch, or maybe with a pre-inlet stock, but I keep getting scared off by the thought of cutting the dovetails for tenons and sights. I even have a beautiful maple pistol blank inlet for barrel and rod, and a barrel to match. Sure would like to have a go at turning this into a Kentucky style pistol.

I seem to recall seeing offered, a little metal jig for cutting the dovetails, but don't remember where. Wish I had purchased one at the time.

Does anyone know who sells them, or was I just dreaming?

All Thoughts Welcome! :confused:

[whosyrdaddy]

Dixie Gun Works

[Dienekes]

Good files, good techniques. A dovetail file has blind sides so you only work one angle at a time. Slow and easy, check often. Make that very often.

[Chawbaccer]

You could have a machine shop do it for you. Have them cut them tight and then you can do a bit of filing to get the final size.

[frosty]

you can cut dovetails with a hacksaw and two small triangle files. one of those files should have a "safe" side, or one side with the teeth removed. lay out the dovetail on the barrel, the SLOWLY and CAREFULLY make a series of cuts with the hacksaw to rough out the slot. when its close to depth, file bottom to finished depth, the use the safe file to angle the corners. work slow!

[desidog]

I had just the same fear, and opted for a bead-sight like on a shotgun. It's one drill press away...if you like the look and function.

[madcratebuilder]

you can cut dovetails with a hacksaw and two small triangle files. one of those files should have a "safe" side, or one side with the teeth removed. lay out the dovetail on the barrel, the SLOWLY and CAREFULLY make a series of cuts with the hacksaw to rough out the slot. when its close to depth, file bottom to finished depth, the use the safe file to angle the corners. work slow!

That's how I do it, both wood and metal. SLOW is the key word, major pita to put material back on.

[aprayinbear]

I know the process in my head, but I've been afraid to risk a good barrel. I do have an old piece of a barrel that I could practice on first. Maybe when the weather gets a little warmer I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the thoughts and encouragement.

:D

[madcratebuilder]

I do have an old piece of a barrel that I could practice on first. Maybe when the weather gets a little warmer I'll give it a go.

Great idea. Doing your first cut on a good barrel can be nerve racking. Make a few practice cuts on that old barrel and you well be fine, it's really not the difficult.

[Leadbutt]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php?

May I suggest joining this site, then spent some time going through the "Gunbuilders" thread

There is an excellent pictorial from a builder that covers what you need

[Pancho]

A lot of barrels require fitting at least one lug under the barrel for stock attachment. No matter what tools I bought I'd start with those because screw-ups are hidden by the forestock. It only takes doing one with careful observation to learn a lot and gain confidence to do the dove-tails on top of the barrel.

[arcticap]

Well I'm going to a gunsmith because I'll never try to cut one myself! ;) :D

[aprayinbear]

Leadbutt,

I wasn't even aware of the Muzzleloading forum. Great site! Just what I needed!

Many Thanks!:D