Day 2 began early Sunday as Mike spent part of the morning helping a student modify the Colonial Kit to include a set trigger, while Wayne showed others the delicate technique of draw filing.

After lunch, students gathered around for “Lock disassembly 101”. Wayne and Mike walked everyone through how to properly take their locks apart to file and sand the external parts to finish. We also took this time to show the students some staining techniques. Mike and Wayne started with a single layer of stain, but then showed us how to layer stains for a broader range of color. Kibler’s Iron Nitrite solution seems to be one of the favorites among the students, with some opting to add layers of color with some Lancaster Stain. Later this afternoon, a few students sanding their stocks and drawing out their carving details, while others are preparing to begin “rusting” their mountain rifle hardware.

Sanding, filing, and fitting was the name of the game for the students in the afternoon. Everyone is at an equal pace overall, but no two students are working on the same thing at once, it’s neat to watch as their personal interest drives the decisions on what they work on next, further diversifying their kits.

After some more independent work time students gathered around the bench to watch as Wayne Estes helped a student pour a pewter nose cap, something I’ve not seen in person, and wow, it was cool! 

There were a couple casualties today, we had a barrel pin go in crooked and bust out a small piece of wood on the opposite side, and a hard maple stock showed it’s true colors as it fractured on an old break. Mike and Wayne were cool as cucumbers and jumped in to save each rifle. While you could see the frustration on the students faces, repairs were made quickly and effectively to preserve the students work. Tomorrow the bandages will come off and work will continue.

Towards the end of class at 5pm, students and teachers began to wear down after the long but fun day. Everyone shifted gears to sanding and filing to wind down for the day.

Day 3 will begin with the completion of stock whispering for several, and practice carving for more.