Searching For Perfection

Leeper said:
I once had a customer much like this who approached me about some work. He asked about my guarantee and about my return policy and he asked for an estimate. I gave him an estimated range for the work. He, with his nose elevated slightly, said (and I quote), "Surely, my good man, you can be more precise than that!" I said, "Well I sure can. It won't cost you a dime because I don't want to work for you". I then turned around and walked back into the shop. I heard him telling the store owner that he wasn't done talking to me and that I had treated him "like dirt under my feet". The owner called back, saying the man said he wasn't done talking to me. I hollered back, "Maybe not but I was done listening". I heard the owner say. "Well, I guess that's it then." I figure I had dodged a bullet and felt good about it. For some reason, there are those who feel that any artisan should approach them with deference and show nothing but gratitude for being allowed to take their crap. It doesn't always work that way. Many years ago, I learned the ability to "just say no" meant less stress and more money. Kind of a win/win.
I've spent considerable time with a lap to correct barrels produced by those "brothers on the east side of the ocean" and installed by world class 'smiths on this side. Sometimes those Ferlach boys screw up too!
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Nicely said! And on point.
Cheers
Brian
 
If I was searching for perfection, I’d rather split up the gun making into two key parts: an awesome gunsmith to do all the metalwork, and a talented woodworker to make the stock.

I am a woodworker, who dabbles in metalwork, and can appreciate the time required to truly know a craft like this. Not saying people can’t do both, but that is a much smaller pool to find, and one may be better off working with two people.

...and yes, I’ve dealt with people who demand their supplied wood look a certain way after a stain has been applied. Not a lot of fun.
 
That's why I quit building custom bikes. Too many people want a $100 grand bike and only want to pay $10 grand for it.
 
I remember the rebar rifle. It was in an issue of Precision Shooting Magazine. Ron Smith made a Scheutzen rifle in 30-40 (or was it 32-40)?
It was done up on a dare or a bet. The guy won a few shooting matches with the rifle.
If I recall, the mounts were held on with JB weld. There were some issues with the bore having hard spots making it a B!TCH to bore and rifle, but it shot well enough to win some matches.
Dunno if I would want a rifle with a rebar barrel, but it would certainly turn heads at the range...
 
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