Thinking about grabbing a used Hawkens rifle:

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I'm going to do the "worlds best oil finish" that is stickied in the gunsmithing forum. That uses many coats of minwax antique oil finish to leave a hard, waterproof coating that looks just like an oil finish.
 
I got the three initial coats of Minwax antique oil on, and then the first sealer. I then used steel wool to take the finish off back to the wood. I would say 80% of the grain is completely filled, and the rest is pretty close. It was a ton of work to take that finish off, so I'm debating just putting on a few coats that are brushed on and wiped off 5 minutes later and calling it good. The wood surface is already VERY hard and smooth.

We'll see how ambitious I get. The nice thing about the antique oil finish is that you can always go back and apply more later!
 
Yes, It is. I just got a crack at a newer Rockwell unit with a quick change gear box, thread cutting dial and variable speed drive. I've heard parts are murder to to come by, though, and it needs a few little things to get ship-shape. I'm trying to decide what to do -- get the old South Bend, or go with a the newer unit and hope parts are available. The PO never used it for cutting threads, so the quick change gearbox needs help. Some of the bushings are a bit loose and it's missing a plunger that holds one of the gearsets engaged.

I have until noon tomorrow to make up my mind...
 
WOW !!!
What a transformation !!!!
She is beautifull colonel.
Able to git a profit out o' her is a no brainer :)
I'd sell it and git me a stone sparker .
But then that's me. I'm a bit partial to 'em.
Caps and nipples belong on a six gun.:p

I don't know much about them Rockwells but i do know that you can't hardly ever go wrong with a South Bend, even the old ones.
 
Thanks! Flintlocks seem like they'd be way more fun, but I think I'm going to see how this one shoots first ;)

The Rockwell turned out to be a little too loose for my tastes, so it might be back to the south bend I run. We'll see. I want a lathe really badly, but I REALLY don't want another project. I've already got more of those than I know what to do with.
 
Wow! Fantastic job. Just the accessories along are pushing $60. You did real good.
 
I VERY CAREFULLY cleaned up the crown with a sharp blade, taking material off only on the outside edge of the crown chamfer, as the important edge where the bore actually ends was undamaged. I cleaned it up so the angle matches all the way around. It was bashed in at two places.

It's much more smooth and consistent now, and will have to do until I can get a lathe to actually turn a compleletly new crown.

That barrel steel is soft. It cut away easily and smoothly, as if I was cutting copper. It's probably just a low carbon mild steel. Thanks, Italy, for the questionable metallurgy.
 
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