[Dean]

Status 12/21/03:

The last few weekends were spent getting the lathe up to par.

Gearbox is now functional. I purchased a milling attachment for the lathe, as well as a "Deloris" style tool post (a China clone from Harbor Frieght). I had to mill the surface of the turret to allow clearance for the new toolpost to rotate.

I custom ground a carbide threading tool and I can now perform quality 20TPI threading on stainless barstock.

Using the milling attachment, I have begun shaping the action wrench blocks out of 1/2 brass. I think I'm ready to order the barrel very soon.

I have decided to follow the methods outlined in the book "The Modern Gunsmith" with regard to barrel machining. I will be turning the barrel "between centers" using carefully machined barrel plugs to ride on the centers of the lathe.

I have decided to solder the frame extension to the foward reciever & trigger guard. I have found an outfit that sells 416 stainless steel in various small sizes that I will use for the extension and for making the rear sight.

Pictures soon to follow...