Duane or anyone ever try Artist oil color added into a stock finish ? This is Grumbachers. Ingredients says: base is "highly refined linseed oil" with what ever color ingredeint ground in.

Sounds like the Kynoch might be boiled linseed oil. I've got some red oil here that Bill Soverns mixed up using boiled linseed oil and Alknyd root. Been brewing for around 6 months. It looks great on English walnut, but never seems to dry. I've heard with the addition of Japan drier that linseed oil turns almost black. Not quite the color I'm looking for. I've never tried the cobalt drier. From googling it and doing some quick research, it sounds like you only need a few drops per shot of oil. I'm guessing you mix it with the stain oil before you apply it? Does it change the color at all? Thanks for all the tips.

No change that I can see. I don't really think the Kynoch is linseed oil...at least it doesn't smell like it. You might ask David Little at the Kynoch e-mail

quote:

Originally posted by GSP7:
Duane or anyone ever try Artist oil color added into a stock finish ? This is Grumbachers. Ingredients says: base is "highly refined linseed oil" with what ever color ingredeint ground in.

Might be worth a try....I find red to be a dangerous color...I'm told most men seem to be a little red color blind...course, a woman told me this, but I'm convinced I'm among those.

Duane, ForrestB,

That is one fine looking rifle, can't wait to see a photo(S) of the finished rifle. Congratulations to you both.

Tom Turpin

I'm guessing (Duane can update of course) that there is now at least another hour of work on that stick, what with staining and all. When you add in the checkering this could be an all-day kind of project, even for somebody as fast as Duane. The thread title may need to be changed.

quote:

Originally posted by Tsquare2:
Duane, ForrestB,

That is one fine looking rifle, can't wait to see a photo(S) of the finished rifle. Congratulations to you both.

Tom Turpin

Thanks Tom. Since your books and articles played a big part in getting me hooked on custom rifles, I'm going to lay all the blame for this one at your doorstep.

I hope to see you in Reno.

I tried that artist paint routine. Was not satisfied with any result. Best color I have found was BLO and alkenite root. Great color, forever drying time.

Im going to try the cobalt dryer as Japanese dryer will in fact ruin a good bottle of "red stain". Turns its black in a few days which gets under a guys skin after waiting 4 or 5 months for the BLO mix to get that righteous color.

Progress comes slowly at this point. Here’s how things are looking after the first coat of finish…



The rifle weighs in at 7 lbs 9.8 oz now. I’m figuring on 8-3/4 lbs with a scope, sling and four rounds of 270 in the magazine…

Forrest-

I need to start writing down all of your signature lines. You kill me!

Nice rifle you have in the makings there. Can you tell us about your blank selection procedure? You always have wood that is ideal in my opinion.

Fine art is well worth paying for (and waiting for).

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Progress comes slowly at this point. Here’s how things are looking after the first coat of finish…



The rifle weighs in at 7 lbs 9.8 oz now. I’m figuring on 8-3/4 lbs with a scope, sling and four rounds of 270 in the magazine…

Forrest and Duane

This is so interesting!! It is a joy to watch such a beautiful work of craftsmanship come to life. Believe me, I am not taking this thread for granted.

Thank you for posting the photo's.

Cheers

What a great looking rifle. It doesn't get much better than a barrel made by Ralf and a stock carved by Duane.

What are you planning on using for scope mounts?

That is going to be one fine looking rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
Can you tell us about your blank selection procedure? You always have wood that is ideal in my opinion.

Marc, you obviously haven’t seen all my rifles. Some are sporting less than ideal wood. I’ve learned a bit over the years – a little about wood and a lot about patience. I have to look at a hundred blanks or more to find one that has the right layout, the right density and wood structure, the right figure and color, and the right price. I know I drive the wood dealers crazy because I can be hard to please to the point of being a nuisance. I enjoy looking for the ideal blank and since I’m building a rifle to last a few lifetimes, I figure why not take my time?

To my eye, this particular blank is almost perfect. Here’s what I like about it:
It’s just about perfectly quartersawn; I like that look overall and both sides of the stock look the same. The blank layout was quite good and Duane made it perfect on the shaped stock. I like to be able to follow a single line of grain from the fore-end, through the grip, all the way into the toe of the stock. This blank is dense and hard. I bought it to use on a big bore rifle but decided it would look nice on this particular project just because. The overall color is nice and the figure in the butt is icing on the cake.

There are two other important considerations. The first is personal preference – what I like shouldn’t matter a hoot to anyone else. When anyone asks me to help them find a blank, I will first tell them to show me a rifle (or photos of a rifle) they really like. The best I can do is to find a well laid-out blank that will look similar to their chosen rifle when the blank is shaped. It may or may not be something I would buy for myself.

The final and most important consideration is having a stockmaker who can bring out the best in a blank. Duane is a master in that regard. If the blank is too thin, or warped, or canted he’s got a trick up his sleeve to make the most of it. If the color needs some help, he’s got a trick. If the color is just right but the customer can’t see it, Duane has just the right words so the customer will sit on his hands until there’s enough finish on the stock that the customer can see Duane was right after all.

quote:

Originally posted by CAS II:
What are you planning on using for scope mounts?

Charley, I’m going to use Talley screw-lock rings for this rifle. There are not a lot of options and all of them are a little too tall for my taste. The Talleys are as low as I can get and they are nice and trim.

Forrest,

I think you struck the nail on the head in your reply to Marc. And that being, know what you want from a rifle or even just the blank.

I really admire Duane's process of showing his customers their dreams as they come to life. I would be willing to bet it leads to not only more work for him, but other builders having to follow suit. Good on you both.

Many Thanks

HBH

Damn, reading threads like this and looking at pictures of such a great rifle is going to cost me some serious money one of these days!

Congrats to all involved. First class all the way!

John

Guys, thanks for the pictures.

I really like the lines of the stock, so trim and graceful. And the fantastic workmanship also of course!

Allen

It's been a little more than four hours of work now. Duane says the iron sights were filed in today. Next stop for the stock is the checkering cradle while the metal goes to Roger Kehr's shop for a little TLC.

Stunning! One of the most beautiful rifles I've ever seen.

What about the scope and mounts, what are you going to use?



Terry

Terry - sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. I'm using Talley rings and a Swarovski 3-10X42 scope (1" tube). I really appreciate your compliment as I think you have a great eye for these things. You must be using your imagination too, because it's still hard to envision exactly how this rifle will turn out.

Today, I got a couple of photos from Roger Kehr (AKA Scrollcutter here at AR). Here's some of Roger's work on the grip cap:



Roger has been great to work with on this project. He understands exactly what I'm trying to accomplish. Up front, I told Roger that I wanted engraving that would look proper on a 1930's era British bolt rifle.

If you've paid much attention to the engraving (or lack thereof) on those rifles, you'll realize to what extent my instructions are tying Roger's skilled hands. Unlike the best-quality double rifles from that era, what little engraving done on even best-quality bolt rifles was quite coarse. This limits Roger to about half the detail and shading he would normally do on the same general engraving pattern if used on another rifle. Most engravers would have told me to take a hike, but Roger has been very understanding of my idiosyncrasies.

The figure and grain flow in that wood is outstanding, and the lines are taylor made to it. "SWEET"

One picture we didnt get is the picture of the smith after he hogged all that wood off...

Beautiful work indeed...

I am not a gunmaker but just one who appreciates the art and skill of it!

This is a wonderful thread for people like me who can admire the process!

Thank you for posting!

Moving right along...
Duane has finished the checkering and Roger should be finished with the engraving today or tomorrow.







Now I'm really getting excited.

You know what Forrest, you really suck...I drool over all over your rifles, and this is just another thorn for me to swallow...

Excellent stuff here, gentlemen. I appreciate you sharing this with us.

Friggin' firearm porn.

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
Friggin' firearm porn.

You can have your own pin-up girl too. Call (253) 535-0066 and let Duane make your dreams come true. If you want something with a little Teutonic beauty, you can reach Ralf at (250) 417-2926.

Everyone deserves at least one really nice rifle.

Roger has finished giving it the old English look, so now the metal is on it's way back to Duane's shop for a reunion with the stock.

I really like what Roger has done here - its very simple and VERY nice.

Looking absolutely gorgeous Forrest.

Priceless work as a team! That is one fine rifle, I wouldn't want to take something that nice into the field.

Forrest

Is that the 277th gun Duane has built for you :-)

richj - Don't tell my wife.

quote:

Originally posted by cjaholic:
I wouldn't want to take something that nice into the field.

I'm going to hunt the heck out of this one. We all hear people say they wouldn't put a nice rifle to use but to me, nothing looks nicer than a well-used and well cared-for custom rifle. As good as this one looks now, it won't get that perfect patina until it sees at least 10 years of good use.

That engraving is the definition of class, well done to Roger and to you for selecting it.

What does 277 mean? Is it reference to the caliber?

Did you obtain the Brno 21H action from Ralf? He has obtained quite a number of choice actions that were in my stash through a friend of mine, just curious.

I know that he and other gunmakers now eagerly buy these and I have only one left, set aside for a custom rifle I hope to have him build in a couple of years. I also have originals and a couple ZG-47s, as well, one in 9.3x62. These are, IMHO, the finest production sporting rifle actions ever made.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
richj - Don't tell my wife.

quote:

Originally posted by cjaholic:
I wouldn't want to take something that nice into the field.

I'm going to hunt the heck out of this one. We all hear people say they wouldn't put a nice rifle to use but to me, nothing looks nicer than a well-used and well cared-for custom rifle. As good as this one looks now, it won't get that perfect patina until it sees at least 10 years of good use.

Forrest,

I think that would make a good loaner rifle....I've got a couple deer hunts lined up this fall and I promise I will "try" not to slobber on your gun.

Gorgeous, I love it. Such graceful and elegant lines.

Oregon45, the serial number on the action is 277 and I had Roger add the serial number to the trigger guard as was the custom on many British rifles.



Dewey, I'd love to get my hands on Ralf's stash of BRNO actions but this one didn't come from him. I found this action (in the form of a 21H) in the classified section here at AR.

MHC, your wife has a nice rifle. Why don't you borrow hers?

That cocking peice is a real nice touch, i havent seen it before. I like it!

Sometimes very simple is very elegant, and the engraving was Forrest's idea. Of course, almost anything would look elegant on Wiebe and Martini's work.

The metalwork left here this afternoon. I hope Duane will get it by tomorrow.

I got it! Yes...understrated and elegant. It's easy to cover acres of metal with what not, but it takes an arist to add just the right amount of embellishment. The lettering is the best I've seen. Well done, Roger!

Oh, this is fun....Each time I check out this thread I find some new eye candy! Looks great guys