A morning in the hobby shop

[Skytop B]

Decided to put my stockpile of parts to work today, just passing the day, well a couple hours anyway.

Most important, proper PPE at all times!






















Now to decide on stock, bedding, and all the fun stuff, will probably bead blast the barrel, don't think I like the high polish.

Skytop

[eric2381]

That looks real good. What make are the stocks?

[Positrac]

I forgot how much I missed watching stuff go 'round and 'round in a lathe. It's been 4 years for me since the last time I stood behind one after almost 10 years of being on one 40 hours a week.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[Skytop B]

Originally Posted by eric2381

That looks real good. What make are the stocks?

Those are those Bobby Hart A10 stocks, Stockeys had a big sale on them a while back, decent stocks.

[Robmcleod82]

How do you like the long rifles barrel pollishing fixture? Been pondering buying one

[Skytop B]

The barrel spinner works great! Can't believe I went this long without one.

[Skytop B]

Originally Posted by Positrac

I forgot how much I missed watching stuff go 'round and 'round in a lathe. It's been 4 years for me since the last time I stood behind one after almost 10 years of being on one 40 hours a week.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

Yes, I love it, I find it very relaxing after three weeks of around the clock at work.

[BPM]

Thats awesome to look at I sure wish I had the skills and equipment for that. Care to build me a barrel for my 300wm?

[brobinson]

Originally Posted by Robmcleod82

How do you like the long rifles barrel pollishing fixture? Been pondering buying one

Is that what is in pic #10? Looks pretty neat.

As usual Skytop, nice work. Wish I had the talent, equipment and time that you do sir!

[cornuteo]

SkyTop you sure do awesome work. I definately appreciate you taking the time to make my equipment look and function better. You are a true craftsmen...

[purgatory.sv]

I enjoy your hobby shop.
ppe is only required when things happen.

[Skytop B]

Machining the face of the brake so it lines up correctly when torqued onto bbl



Preparing to torque on the action and triple check final headspace







Installing the brake and checking timing, use a good quality anit-sieze NOT thread locker, you want to be able to remove it for cleaning. Your crown will also get carboned up after a while shooting with a brake.





Double checking proper bullet clearance in the brake using a precision ground rod installed into the bore.



Now to fit the bottom metal to the stock, and prepare the stock for pillars and epoxy bedding, mount optics and test fire this baby in a couple days.

[Skytop B]

Just posting this so the average Joe can see what goes into building a custom rifle and some of the tools required. Trust me, I have omitted ALOT of steps!

[sns2]

You have mad skills, Skytop! Amazing. I so enjoy your threads.

[Skytop B]

Need to make some pillars

[fish_e_o]

nice work i just finished my barrel yesterday too

i know how it feels to not have the stock work done yet. i want to shoot it so bad

[Positrac]

Hey Skytop, what kind of lathe are you running? Do you have any pictures?

This is like good porn to a retired machinist.

[Skytop B]

Originally Posted by Positrac

Hey Skytop, what kind of lathe are you running? Do you have any pictures?

This is like good porn to a retired machinist.

It is a Modern Tool Chinese 14x40 model 0636A, after trying to find a used machine the size I needed (not too big, not too small for gunwork) I purchased one new. After a year or so I upgraded the motor to a Marathon 3HP 3 phase, then got an automation buddy to wire up the VFD so I could run it off single phase and have unlimited variable frequency speed control, it rocks now!

[Skytop B]

I cut a thread into them in one pass, this gives the glue good adhesion to the stock, you don't normally take this deep a cut on the first pass









I use a piloted counter-bore to drill out the stock





Now I need to go to the store and get some epoxy, I glue the pillars in first, then glass bed after.

[Skytop B]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

nice work i just finished my barrel yesterday too

i know how it feels to not have the stock work done yet. i want to shoot it so bad

Yes, it's very difficult to avoid getting in a rush to get it done! Gotta step back and go for a coffee and get away from it every once in a while.

[MattSako]

amazing work and pictures, very interesting thread.

I love the engraving " swag " on the muzzle brake. "

[Skytop B]

I had to do a little chisling to make the fat .30 recoil lug fit and a little sanding in the barrel channel, you want to make sure everything fits, some tape on the barrel keeps it centered in the barrel channel



Putting release agent on the action and guard screws. This procedure is just to secure the pillars into the action while everything is aligned. The action itself will be bedded with Marine Tex, I used Devcon steel for the pillars.



The pillars are then secured to the action with the guard screw, I cut a 60 degree shoulder in the pillars, that way when the screw is tightened it will center itself in the pillar and keep everything straight,





Now everything can sit for a day, once the Devcon is hard I will remove the screws and lift the action away, then prepare to fully bed the action and bottom metal, the barrel will be 100% free-floated when finished. This rifle will be shot mostly off a Bipod.

[brobinson]

This is a great thread man. Keep it up!

[Skytop B]

Clips never worked

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]



[IMG][/IMG]


It's taken me longer to put this thread together than to do the work!

Originally Posted by Skytop B

Just posting this so the average Joe can see what goes into building a custom rifle and some of the tools required. Trust me, I have omitted ALOT of steps!

Looking good Sky... was that a poke....lol...

[Skytop B]

Ha, no, wouldn't dream of it Joe. Please ,just don't let me see these photos on your site with the Nightmare machining photos

Originally Posted by Skytop B

Ha, no, wouldn't dream of it Joe. Please ,just don't let me see these photos on your site with the Nightmare machining photos

From what I have seen to date on your photos, you don't have to worry. In fact, the one shop I am thinking about could use your skills either in a supervisory role or hands on roll.....

[6mm rem]

Originally Posted by sns2

You have mad skills, Skytop! Amazing. I so enjoy your threads.

X 2 keep them coming!

[edmhunter]

Originally Posted by 6mm rem

X 2 keep them coming!

X3

What a great post Skytop B, amazing! Do you make them to order, may be interest in one of those puppies

[roger]

I have the utmost respect you guys who can do stuff to the n'th degree of perfection.
I have a hammer and sooner or later everything begins to look like a nail. 😀