TOW Bucks County Rifle Kit Update

Here is the first of three videos on fitting the side-opening patchbox. Fred Lehto has already told me of one significant thing that I did wrong (which will be in the third video). I'm sure the experienced guys will see other things I could do better. Feel free to tell me. It is the only way I'll get better in the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3mq1k_NM0

The anticipation of #24 is killing me if you got the wreck on video. Watching the videos sure make me more motivated to work on my build more. I'm almost up to a full toothpick worth of wood a day now. Mr. B Dont ever install Jaeger thimbles, what a PITA.

Yup, #24 shows the train wreck in all its glory.

Here's the next installment in the Bucks county patchbox saga.

This video shows how I buggered up the stock while cutting the storage compartment under the patchbox cover...it was crying time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAvrZ4zVspc

Here I thought you were going to show us how the gun flipped around on the drill press. You were using a Hand drill. :nono: Mr. B. I love your dog Beau. He's like "Are you done yet"..."how about now". I used a hand drill to drill the lock bolt. Wish I had not done that. Not going to hand drill again on a gun....unless it's a hand turned drill.
Anyway Mr. B. Keep it going. No stoppen now. The patch works and if you don't like it you can cover it with some brass. The cut out of the hinge at the butt plate is what has me concerned now.
You know you will probably have one of the most collectiable guns in a hundred years from now. The You tube video gun By Mr. B.

Please tell us that you did not use Phillips head screws for your patchbox. :nono:

I did, and I'm not sorry.

I'll change then out to straight slots in the final prep, but have YOU tried to screw straight slot screws into a 90 degree, burned-in pilot hole using a bent shaft screw driver?

Even with Philips heads it was difficult. I ruined a couple of screws and cut my hands up with the other end of the screwdriver.

To be honest, it isn't a project I want to do again any time soon.

You need one of the little screw drivers with a 90 degree bend. It has straight on one end and Phillips on the other. They're cheap, shaped like a "z".

That's what I used...still no picnic to drive the screws into an undersized, burned-in hole the first time...not even that easy the 10th time...LOL

I've used Philip head screws as "construction screws"...not wanting to deplete my slotted screw inventory. Lately The Philip heads are more readily available.

I tried various dias to burn the holes in for the hinge plate....finally found "what works" considering overburn. To ease the first "screw in", I insert soap flakes into the hole and hold the screw w/ sturdy tweezers. I've got some "homade" right angle screw drivers made from Allen wrenches....the "blades" are at different angles for tightening when the slot ends up at an angle.

The width of the cavity for your Pbox is larger than most BCs....mine are usually more narrow and definitely require the Allen wrench screw drivers.

You're to be commended for "documenting" not only the successes, but also your failures....don't know if I could ever do that......Fred

Fred,

Once I started recording, I couldn't back out. In a sense, I'm "all in."... can't back out now.

But I don't think I'll record the next build...maybe just show off some completed pictures (if it comes out well :grin: )

OH no you don't, if it was not for you doing that video I would not be building, and I'm sure I won't be the only building because of it. You keep it up Mr. B. patches and all as long as it the true to what it takes to get thru one.
Seems like I read somewhere: a master does not make mistakes, but he might change his design.

Excellent job again duelist! Keep it up!

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

The original Bucks County rifles with the side opening patchbox that I have seen actually have the patchbox attached with tacks or nails. Permanent installation with not much chance to tweak once it's installed. Yea mine up to this point are screwed in though.

C'mon Mike;
all ya needed was a rubber drill and a rubber screw driver !!! :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
Yer doing a dandy job and helping a lot of us...
This forum rocks !!!
Stay warm...
thom

This video shows the final fitting of the Bucks County side opening patchbox. It is far from perfect, but it is as good as I can get it.

Fred Lehto, who is an experienced builder of Bucks County rifles has graciously given me several pointers, as have several others. Unfortunately I'm too inept to do them justice, but I certainly do appreciate it. One thing Fred told me was to extend the hinge knuckle right over the butt plate. Unfortunately for me, he told me this...the day after I did it the wrong way...which is the story of my life. LOL

So, in the video, it will be a case of do what I say”¦not what I did.

I'd say I'll know better next time, but I think from now on I see only top opening patchboxes in my future.


Next I have to do the push button lid catch and release...never did one of those before, and I am sweating bullets over it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_r-GEmoH4

Your doing more good in this build than you probably know Mr. B.
:hatsoff:

AMEN !!!!

Both #24 and #25 were great duelist. I see we share the same full head of hair! :grin: :thumbsup:

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

This is not an official update of the Bucks County kit build. It is more like a video sigh of relief that the patchbox lid catch and release actually lined up correctly and worked.

This is the first push button lid release I've ever done...never even saw one done before. So I sweated it big time. I need to make the release button for the butt plate return, and clean up the lid, but, so far, so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIVWdvhA5WM