Forrest said he wanted something "different" on his new 270.

Well!

What's that, the semi-submersible heavy lift ship look?

I was thinking it was just missing it's conning tower. Bound to be popular with navy guys

(edited for spelling errors, iphone posting and alcohol apparently don't mix)

WW2 Bangor Class minesweeper:

http://www.uboat.net/allies/wa...ps/class.html?ID=132

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:
Forrest said he wanted something "different" on his new 270.

It looks like you are headed for the stepped quarter rib that has become the standard in fashion for the past couple of decades.

I don't really like quarter ribs, but it seems to sort of defeat the purpose to have the rib step up to form an island for the rear sight.

I know I should STFU, but I don't have any patience for anything "stylized" on a rifle.

But I am obviously in the minority on this.

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:
It looks like you are headed for the stepped quarter rib that has become the standard in fashion for the past couple of decades.
.

The standard in fashion? FASHION?? Sounds like something that My Bride might think was important......

As I understand its history and origin, the purpose of the rib was to provide a flat, straight, non-reflective sighting plane for the shooter. As rifles became more popular and more common in the 19th century, sights were added to the basic plain rib structure, complicating its simplicity.

Some of the ones I've seen lately have been so complicated with humps & bulges that they looked like The Hunchback of Notre Dame carrying saddlebags. Kinda reminds me of those little islands around the swivel bases on some recent stocks. That is, generally fairly OK IMO but also somewhat over-the-top in a few instances.

I like the low rear transition, am anxious to see the rest now.
Regards, Joe

One of the nicest 1/4 rib ive ever seen.

There's a lesson to be learned here...don't ever devulge your password...for any reason...ever!

HAHAHA---Looks like the Bismark!

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:
There's a lesson to be learned here...don't ever devulge your password...for any reason...ever!

Or give up the key to your shop.... That's your work bench Wiebe!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:
There's a lesson to be learned here...don't ever devulge your password...for any reason...ever!

Duane, when I want to really abuse your confidences, you'll know for sure...it'll be some comprismising photos of you and not just of your work.

Everyone else, I'll post some follow-up photos when I receive them. To me, these "right in the middle of it" photos are the most interesting because they illustrate the most extreme transformation from chunk of steel to gunmaker's art.

The best part of commissioning a custom rifle is the ability to see your ideas come to life through the skill of the maker. Pay a hefty deposit and you can have any style QR you want or no QR at all. In the end, only you and the maker have to be pleased.

Thanks Duane for sharing your skills with us and for letting us have a little fun at your expense.

I too am very interested in seeing the transformation take place. Nothing like seeing the artist transform a piece of metal into functional art. We all know duane excells at this. Forest I am jealous yet again.

Forrest
For the average guy it takes a lot to see the craftsmanship in a half finished chunk. For the rest it is a pure delight to see.

I appreciate quality work and I also appreciate the in process photos.
I'm also a fan or "How it's made" " Factory Made" And "Modern Marvels"

Here's the rib after a little more machining and shaping...



The goal is a sleek, trim sporter.

It's just about impossible to get the rib and sights any lower and still have them be functional. The action is a Brno M21. The spear point and rib aft of the sights will be bordered and stippled. The flats fore and aft of the sight blades will be cross-hatched.

Duane has been shaping the integral front sight ramp also but I don't have a good photo of it yet. I'll post a pic when I get one.

quote:

Originally posted by J.D.Steele:

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:
It looks like you are headed for the stepped quarter rib that has become the standard in fashion for the past couple of decades.
.

The standard in fashion? FASHION?? Sounds like something that My Bride might think was important......

As I understand its history and origin, the purpose of the rib was to provide a flat, straight, non-reflective sighting plane for the shooter. As rifles became more popular and more common in the 19th century, sights were added to the basic plain rib structure, complicating its simplicity.

Some of the ones I've seen lately have been so complicated with humps & bulges

I agree with you on all points Mr. Steele. That is the first time that has ever happened!

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
It's just about impossible to get the rib and sights any lower and still have them be functional.

At least Joe's wife admits that the motivation is fashion.


Forrest, your opinion is the only one that matters on this rifle.




I have to admit, that does look pretty good. Duane seems to have knack for making me question my own convictions when it comes to style. That is the mark of a great artist IMO.

It's longer than Ralph Martini'style, but similar IMHO.

Duane, Is the portion of the rib over the chamber turned in the lathe after it was attached to the barrel?

Forrest,

Just when I thought Duane had caught 404 fever. Come on say it with me now 404 404 404.

Looks great!

HBH

quote:

Here's the rib after a little more machining and shaping...

Ach,...Das Boot!

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:
It's longer than Ralph Martini'style, but similar IMHO.

I plead guilty to refering to Ralf by name when I talked about this Q-rib with Duane. This is also the style Duane used on the Searcy Scholarship rifle.

Duane will have to give us the length on the Q-rib but I'll bet its a lot shorter than it appears. I told him how far out I needed the rear sights in order for my tired old eyes to make use of them and that determined most all the other dimensions.

Here's what I like about the Brno 21 actions: It's a small ring action with unobtrusive integral scope mounts that allow for a very low scope mounting and a very low sight positioning. If this had been a large ring action with Talley or Leupold mounts, the sights would have to be almost 1/4" higher from the CL of the barrel. That has a big effect on the stock geometry also.

quote:

Originally posted by J_Zola:
Duane, Is the portion of the rib over the chamber turned in the lathe after it was attached to the barrel?

Yes..

Rib is 6.5" from receiver to tip of "spear".

Center of sight blade is 4.5"

Just FYI: I have three of Ralf's barrels here..they measurse 6-5 to 7.5

It appears to have been soldered on, or was that discussed already?

Jim

Yes...soldered..I'll drill and tap a couple 6x48's inder the sight just for extra insurance

Duane I sure would appreciate seeing how you mill the bottom radius to match the barrel radius on those ribs.

Doug, I thought he showed that on the scholarship rifle.
Butch

Duane has built a new contraption that he's been using lately but I don't have a photo of it in action.

quote:

Duane has built a new contraption that he's been using lately but I don't have a photo of it in action.

I would love to see pictures of this. Thanks for taking the time to do a show and tell. You have two great threads going on here.

I like that...has a nice / clean look to it!

Thanks to Nathan down in OZ, here's a photo of Duane's contraption in action; it looks like he takes a negative impression of the barrel and then uses his contraption to trace that contour into the quarter rib material.



This looks so simple that no real skill is required.

I'm guessing all that is done is once the pattern is made (impressing barrel in suitable medium)

That the rib is cut by using the quill and following the contour by hand. It would be easier I would thing to make the passes in the X axis and your step overs in the Y axis. As this would yield a more gentle change in the Z axis.

Duane I admire the old world skill.

And old toolmaker told me (as CNC's were coming into more wide spread use) That with the proper amount of fixturing anything can be made on a manual machine

We had an ongoing joke with this kind of setup in our shop. We'd call it KNC or in this case DNC for Duane Numerically controlled.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Thanks to Nathan down in OZ, here's a photo of Duane's contraption in action; it looks like he takes a negative impression of the barrel and then uses his contraption to trace that contour into the quarter rib material.



This looks so simple that no real skill is required.

No problem Forrest, happy to help.

In the pic Duane is shaping the quarter rib on my 1935 Chilean 375H&H.

Not to take anything away from Mr. Wiebe, but
there is an excellent explanation of this quarter rib technique starting on page 3 of Mark Stratton's book, along with some autocad drawings of the fixture he uses.

quote:

Originally posted by kcstott:
I'm guessing all that is done is once the pattern is made (impressing barrel in suitable medium)

That the rib is cut by using the quill and following the contour by hand. It would be easier I would thing to make the passes in the X axis and your step overs in the Y axis. As this would yield a more gentle change in the Z axis.

Duane I admire the old world skill.

And old toolmaker told me (as CNC's were coming into more wide spread use) That with the proper amount of fixturing anything can be made on a manual machine

We had an ongoing joke with this kind of setup in our shop. We'd call it KNC or in this case DNC for Duane Numerically controlled.

OK...I'll devulge the high tech part of it...I use rubber bands attached to the quill handle to exert downward "Z" pressure.

For the Cast medium I use Devcon "Plastic Steel"

I love progress pics! I think it is one of the best perks of having a custom built in this modern age of digital cameras and electronic communication.

I'm most grateful any time anybody shares this type of pictures.

Red

Thanks, neat fixture.

I bought Maurice Ottmars Bridgeport mill and he had made a "duplicator" set up like that. I believe that is where Mark Stratton had seen it. It worked well and he used a bungie cord for the down pressure on the quill handle, which I imagine is what Duane was referring to.

I like it....excellent profile!

Would be indebted to see that process on Utube.