That's a lot of sanding and polishing. More on other tables, and the sanding lathe ...

Some upstairs with some finish Bison carving detail ...





More injections tomorrow. Good thing. Standing at a sanding lathe all day was a bear ...

Gary

That's nice Gary! I really like the Bison's antique look. It look awesome, I really like it.

Man you just gotta love those Bison's, gorgeous, powerful hunters and shooters. Gary what is that one made from? Fantastic job on the engraving, I really like that pattern. Good luck on the injections, we'll keep you in our prayers.

Wow . . . that's purty.

-- Jim

Hi Guys,

And Joe - I sincerely appreciate it. I can use any you send up.

Fellas, thanks ... but that's the Alpine's reciever. It's similar - you are right. Main difference is, the Bison fires straight thru in line from a butt reservoir. The Alpine's blast goes up and around ... from an under barrel reservoir.

Bit of a story on that Alpine. It's the gift that just keeps on giving. You recall the gun was damaged by getting all rusty ... result of an apocalyptic storm that came up at dark, at the range. It had some range wear. Stock finish was faded. A few scratches, etc. Anyway ... over the months that followed, I disassembled it and sanded it all. Refinished the stocks as I had time. Last week, I reassembled it. Had it all together ... was taking pictures of it. Then .... in the light, while cleaning it for photos ... what's this???!!! Areas I recognized where the previous rust had not been sanded deeply enough to reach clean steel. I'd blued it, looked good - it went into the storage. And then, when concentrating (or after having a few months to simmer) ... the cursed "rash" appeared. Not really easy to see. In fact ... didn't stand out at all. However; when you've waited 5-6 months to have something re-blued ... it can't come back with a rash.

So; while everything else was still not into he bluing room, I had to totally tear down the completed gun .... again. And, sand it all again. Going from a more harsh initial grit to completely remove any memory of the damage. It will go back into the salt bath, with other items, asap.

I fluffed up small details here and there. Took out much of any range rash too. A few nasties from a bad clash with something on the top of the stock (Jim ... you're going to have to trim your nails! Or ... maybe stop grinding your teeth on the cheek comb. haha). The stock has gotten five new coats of oil. It's a signature gun. Everybody knows it. It needs to be correct.

Oh ... I do have another Bison - heavily carved ... that goes into this bath too. That's for Butler. (Known as "Bill, the Patient" ... no ... not the Doctor slogan ... hahah ... more like a middle ages title). It's an old order. I'm making sure it's more than he ordered.

Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2010 05:36PM by barnespneumatic.

I recognized it, of course . . . didn't want to say anything, but now that you've "fessed up," I can comment.

That receiver looks like a piece of jewelry. You should see it up close and in person! I find some new detail on it every time I look at it.

As for the 3rd time into the bluing tank . . . I think most folks probably realize that upon noticing the rust coming back (if they even did), just about any other 'smith out there would have said, "screw it," slapped it into a crate, and shipped that puppy out of the shop. That's the nature of our society. In order to be truly exceptional, you have to focus on the details and other stuff that no one else does. One of my mentors calls it "the last 2%." No one does it because it's a pain and usually perceived as "overkill" and / or unnecessary, expensive, time-consuming, and not very glamourous. But . . . as Gary has said many times . . . there are no shortcuts to the highest levels of quality. It's right, or it's not.

Well done.

-- Jim

"The last two percent", that's a good one. I suspect that most (as in virtually all) other gunsmiths would have just rubbed a bit of oil over the mangey spots and called it done...."adds character" or something like that. I might suggest that the last 2% is one of the reasons Garys guns shoot a fair sight better than the average big(ish) bore import as well, it's all connected.

I for one always enjoy seeing the "elves" at work. Thanks for the pics!

BTW ... my injections went well this am. I'm "on my own" now, for the next 4 months. (With the meds only that is). I can only have the chemically tolerate the injections about 3 times a year.

BTW ... l've gotten used to the proceedure. However; as a side light, which I always share (because making this quality of airguns does not occur in a vacuum) ... as a side light ... we got the bill for the last dual injection. The bill was for $2,400 for that day's proceedure. And, that didn't include the hospital's surgical theater fee. When they do this, there's the Specialist doing the proceedure. His two nurses assits, and an X-Ray tech. runs the live X-Ray machine. I'm on an infinitely adjustable table, under a huge "C" shaped X-Ray machine. It rotates all over the place, giving the Dr. any angle view he wants on a large screen. It's sort of Star Trek. This is all to place two five inch long needles thru me, between my bone joints, and into my spinal canal. Of course; there are violin players, Jesters, and Mimes. I really hate the Mimes ... ...

So: I get three of these dual injection days ... (two weeks apart each). That's $7,200 billing ... and that's 3 times a year. $21,600 ... then add in the hospital charges (which I suspect are more than a bag of groceries). Of course, I don't pay all that. (And I'm very sure the Doc doesn't get all that). But ... this is no small deal. And, one of you asked me a couple of weeks ago by mail ... "Are there risks to this?" Answer: you bet. But, it works, and .. with it ... I work.

So; I toss that in to fill in the blanks a bit. Making my guns now, takes a serious effort, and commitment to my obligations. I know that you all are waiting, and I just want you to know that I'm doing my best. My insurance has gone thru the roof, as with all of my expenses. My meds are another issue. However; take notice, that not one cent has been added onto anybody's ledger order entry, and my bills are paid. That makes me one of the lucky ones, for which I'm very grateful. Just an FYI.

Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2010 06:12PM by barnespneumatic.

Much appreciated.

(you still have to pay though ... hahhah)

Wow, great attention to detail Gary, and Jim you're a lucky man!
Great attention to detail from your surgeon too Gary, and he obviously inspects your wallet with the same attention to detail
Cheers
Neil

All i can say is WOW!!!