Thought I'd show you some pics of the Bison work I've been involved in lately. It takes awhile to do this work.













There's still a final round of carving and cosmetic prep. for bluing on all of these parts yet.

In the Bison design, all of the sub-components are MIG welded in special jigs to locate the parts properly. Of course, I had to make up the jigs and tooling. That's one of the behind the scenes details. I made some prototypes, early on, but didn't make the production jigs and fixtures to standardize certain operations. Later, I made those (which takes alot of time). Still, each step of the Bison assembly raises the stakes higher and higher. What was welded and carved in the last step, is now subject to being ruined in the next phase, if anything goes wrong. Etc., and Etc. I keep adding components to components, until I have the whole Bison Receiver assembly complete.

The build process seemed OK, early on, when I was excited about getting the prototypes into the field for testing. It's proven to be pure stress to complete as a project that needs to go out the door. I don't know about you, but what works easily, when it's not so important ... always gives me a fit when it's for real. The welder will always act up when I have a critical weld to make. Weld up a target to pound with lead ... it will purr along just fine. haha. Such is the shop.

However; the Bisons are getting done. YEAH!!!!!!! I have four of these on the bench now. That's the end of the Bison herd. Hope you enjoyed a look.

Gary



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2009 05:25PM by barnespneumatic.

That's looking great Gary. I'll bet things are feeling better and better as the herd comes towards completion!

Not everybody knows the history of another crazy gun maker's comments about Gary's work on which I based my original satirical comments so I'll change them to say:

"atta boy" Gary, your light years ahead of anything out there.

Can't wait to get my next gun.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2009 04:52AM by Bigbore.

Aaaahhh! Gary, I've got you! I wanted something small but expensive for my birthday (sorry to keep harping on about that, but, well, it only happens once a year...) and now I realise what you're up to. A Bison ( a real one, that is ) is HUGE, but one of your creations is, in purely relative terms, well, small.....so anyhows, I'll be waiting by the letter box for that smaaaaallllll, but expensive, pressie.
Hmmmm, I think I may be waiting for some time......

Next, I suppose, you'll be torturing us with a pic after its been blued.

I cant wait!

That's right. We're gonna see just how much ya can take!



Gary

I'll never crack!

I may weep and drool though.....

The last of the bison herd, end of an era...a moment of silence...YEAH!!!!

If there was ever a model destined for the only-every-once-in-a-great-while special projects category, this has gotta be it. It's nerve-wracking for ME to see the progress on these things, and I'm not even on the ledger for one!

hes a bugger , gary , stop ...... i didnt think metal carving could get much better than the last bison , but there you go ,,, wrong again , the new style to your new carving is just exceptionally tasty, the best yet . your still a tease mind .

That is some amazing carvings! These guns are fit for a King! Excellent work Gary.

Another work of art...............