The totw kits are more like just a bunch of parts and they are more advanced than the ones I done before bit I figured its time to move on to something more advanced.
Out standing .
So first get those books . While there are a few on the NW guns , they are for the most part historical documentation and not building books . As such you may want to pick one up so as to help you discern the differences in makers as well as how the structure is supposed to be when compaired to the pre carve stock .
As to building book . I started building many years ago using shumways “recreating the American long rifle.. Its nothing real fancy. Just writings and drawings .
A lot of folks today suggest buying The Gunsmith of Grenville County. lots of photos an such . Im not sure I would go so far and say one is better then the other. I do think the later is easier to understand .
Neither of these books are about the NW guns or for that mater building from a pre carve . They however have everything you need to know about building from scratch . All of which relates to your project .
The reason I mention “Pre Carve” is because they present a few small obstacles one really needs to consider . IE lock to breech placement.
If the lock is already been partially inlet then the barrel is fit so that you flash hole or bolster location aligns with the lock . In turn this means the location of your Tang .This then dictates your underlug placement. Which by the way may not be where ToW has put them on . .
Normally the barrel and tang would be inlet and underlugs set . Then the lock positioned , lock mortises formed , side plate set , then triggers installed , but plate put on ………. Anyway , the books will lead you through that .
As to the underlugs and how to attach them .
I dove tail the one in the forearm . Yes you can purchase a dovetail file . Or you can just go down and by a triangle file . Then take one side and make a couple passes across a grinder so as to make that side safe
The two underlugs on the forestock which will be on the round part of the barrel , I solder those on . You don’t need a real high temp solder as long as you get a good joint. Stay brite silver solder works just fine . You can get that through ToW or at most hardware stores .
Drilling for the lock bolts isn’t that hard . There are a couple tricks to it that make things real simple . don’t forget you will need taps so you can thread the holes I once you drill the lock plate.
Same goes for the tang bolt which for the NW trade gun should run at an angle from the trigger guard up to the tang . Not from the tang down to the Trigger plate as with most rifles .. If you have a drill press , a simple point to point jig will set that up for a quick and easy drill .
Through the years I bet , realistically I have made ?? Maybe ,30 NW guns .
When people ask me what they should start with. The NW gun is what I suggest . Everything you learn on a NW gun you will use on a rifle if you decide to build one . Sure there will be more to learn . But the basics are all in the simple NW gun build
been trying to find some books and read what I can on the internet. It'll be a while before I get to do it so o got some studying to do