The Grumpy Gunsmith of Williamsburg #37 - Ramrod Thimbles Part 1

Making Ramrod Thimbles Part 1

[@northwoodstrapper8778]

Thank you Clay for the great videos I’ve watched them many times during stages of building a rifle. It’s a pleasure to watch a master at his craft.

[@bkauffman0390]

Im building a kids gun from a plank and im making all the parts, as many as I can. I made a tube with my own thought up process but yours is way better! The main thing I was after was how to make an entry tube. That was awesome. Thanks a lot

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

Another Lovely and very well instructed how to that’s very enjoyable! Plus any dancing girls would only lead to mistakes and distractions, which would make for lousy work! (As learned in my youth)! Kind Thanks and Please continue the Grumpydom! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@kensmith8997]

Heading to the shop now to try, thanks for the great info!

[@Esteric100]

Hi I'm y in England and watch all your videos I'm a retired Engineer but love my guns wish sometimes I lived in the USA as we are very restricted but I enjoy my black powder shooting Regards Eric

[@PaRoughandTumble]

Thanks for another great video

[@grumpygunsmithofwilliamsburg]

Thanks for watching!

[@juliocesar5859]

Bom recomendo sem medo de errar 😀

[@brucerichmond3351]

Hi grumpy, I was wondering if you could tell how ro analysis the 14 gauge brass you are working on as I have 2 guns I am working on that will need the thimbles and I would like to try and make my own Thank you Bruce Richmond

[@grumpygunsmithofwilliamsburg]

If you mean anneal the brass, heat it with a propane torch until the brass starts to get red then quickly quench in water. During bending thimbles, you may need to anneal them again after forming to take the "spring" out of it.

[@stephenbkirby]

I'm planning to purchase some brass sheets, but I'm not sure about the thickness. You say the brass you are using is 0.030" thick and 18 gauge, but 18 gauge brass is 0.0403" thick according Online Metals thickness chart. BTW, I love your videos. I've binge watched almost all of them. Keep up the great work.

[@grumpygunsmithofwilliamsburg]

It was probably late at night when I did the video and very tired. I use the 18 gauge or .040" for my trade guns. For the kits I sell I use .050" 16 gauge but for my own builds I like the .040". The .050 holds up very well without bending up over the years. The original trade guns I measured at .020" to .025" thick parts. The thimbles always seem to be around .016" or slightly thinner. The ribs on them are to strengthen the pipes when rolled. Always anneal the brass well. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@stephenbkirby]

@@grumpygunsmithofwilliamsburg Thank you for that thorough explanation. What gauge/thickness brass do you use for the patch boxes, and are you using the alloy/type 260 or 464? Thanks

[@TheSnoopindaweb]

That is better than tailor made $$$. Yup.! G-G 🤩🔨🎆