Making my own woodset ?

bobfortier

bobfortier

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Hi all

Maybe a crazy idea, but here it goes. I have a lot of nice beech wood, and I'm fully equipped in woodworking machines, and good at it also. I was wondering how hard it could be to build my own "full-wood" Lee Enfield. Metal parts I could buy, and I already have most of the hard parts to replicate on my rifle, the only thing missing are the front portion (typical sporterized No 1 Mk III)

Anyone here attemped this before ? Or should I just ordered everything to make my Lee Enfield nice-looking again ?
 
The truth is that I have one day a week off and in need of a project.....

I figure that if I buy the nose cap, the band and the rear sight guard, ans maybe some screws, i could make a good looking wood set....

Any one else god opinion on this ?
 
Its been done, it mostly basic wood working, so if you have some skills then you should have no problem making one. The hardest part IMO would be drilling the but stock bolt hole. Also the bedding has to be right or the rifle will shoot like poop. Do you have a stock to use as a template? even the sporter stock would give you an advantage to see what the stock should look like.

I would like to do a No.4 Stock out of maple. I just have to get all the tools and do a few trial stock before i would try it on maple.
 
I got this to start with.

SMLE005.jpg


I would begin to do all the wood square (to help machine it) and the rounding of the parts will be done later. About the bedding I got some reading to do as to where exactly it should be in contact, and I can do it.

I agree with you that the hole will be the hardest part....I'll find something to do it.
 
If the wood doesn't cost you any money, then all you stand to lose is your time. If I could do competant woodworking then I would most certainly try it, it's always interesting to watch people create something from raw materials.
 
Hi

I tought about this, and what I'll probably do is make the wood out of black walnut, which I also have access to. I guess that my but stock (not sure of the word) is already made of black walnut, so I would keep that part, leaving me with the parts around the barrell, which are going to be easier to build.

I will probably need some measurement as I go along, I think it is safe to say some of you will be able to help with this ?

Are you guys interested about this project ? Should I do a post about it ? (well, going along with pics on this one..)
 
If you get going for sure pics will be great!

And I believe it was CGN member "RR" has set up a rig in his shop to duplicate No4Mk1 forends.

Lou
 
I am working on a stock built from scratch for an older long lee Enfield. Several attempts thrown in the kindling pile. I usualy bugger up three or four times with anything before I get it right. Three years into it so far and not done yet. Sometimes, I think that $200 for a duplicator machined one would be worth it.

I found a source for English walnut from a chap who sells wood blanks for making viola and double base necks. Clear nice grain and sized about right for a forestock.

It can be done, needs basic skills but patience more than anything.
 
Hi all

Yesterday I began working some wood. I did the rear hand guard (the one with the clip underneath). I carved the barrel side first, and when it fits I do the exterior. I'll try to take pics tonight, but so far I'm happy with the result. Black walnut carves like butter...

I know guys....

:needPics:
 
Here is a couple of pics. So far so good, the hardest part willl be the long part of wood under the barrel (don't have the right term, I know...)

The rear hand guard need some sanding, I'll do it later.

SMLE2010.jpg


SMLE2011.jpg


SMLE2012.jpg
 
Since you are a good woodworker I would be more inclined to buy one of thise "Ishapore forends" and fill in the hole made by the "ishie woodscrew" You already have a donor stock for the wood to do that and make any other repairs needed. The next problem is going to be the handguards. Most of what is around these days have the "legs" that surround the sight base cut off. But you could get lucky.
Doesn't look to be anything wrong with the buttstock , you could stain the forend to match.
 
More done tonight

Front upper hand guard just need a good "rounding". Here are some pics. I don't have the small metal band that goes right behind the nose cap, so I won't put any.

Here are tonight's pic

SMLE3001.jpg


SMLE3002.jpg


SMLE3005.jpg


SMLE3006.jpg
 
I may be too late for this comment (should have thought about it before) - could have been a good idea to do the forend first, then the handguards? Probably won't matter really - I think you're doing super fine, Bob!

Lou
 
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