My version of the De Haas Chicopee

[JScott]

I have always been fascinated with firearms and it has been my dream to someday build one. I own several and enjoy them so my next step is to make one of my own. In 2012 I was able to finally get my hands on a lathe and milling machine that would enable my home project work. My retired friend in Denver, who had a long career as a machinist/tool maker/model maker, has been sending me packages of surplus tooling he accumulated during his career. The only thing left on my tooling list that is absolutely necessary is a milling vise.

I have purchased almost all of the books that Frank De Haas wrote and have been studying them for a couple of years. Taking his advice I am first going to build a model action of the Chicopee CF centerfire using wood. I drew up the receiver and action in AutoCAD and plotted out the pieces at twice scale. Then the individual parts of the drawing were cut out and glued to the appropriate size and thicknesses of wood. Here are some pictures.

   

   

   

   

   

   

I have been working 6 days a week for the last 11 months and the project is finally winding down. We just got our Saturdays back and next week I am taking a whole week of vacation. I intend to starting whittling on these pieces to make a double size working Chicopee model. Once the model is more or less done I intend to forge ahead with one made of steel.

Probably most of you all are familiar with the Chicopee design and its history. As I move along I will post plenty of pictures and commentary on the various parts and their functions for those that are newbs like me. I am completely open to advice and suggestions and I will be asking for help along the way.

Your patience and appreciation is greatly appreciated. JScott

[DaveH]

(05-16-2014, 12:39 PM)JScott Wrote: Probably most of you all are familiar with the Chicopee design and its history.
JScott

Nope - never heard of it

DaveH

[JScott]

Well Dave I hope you enjoy the show! I am going to do my best to keep this project moving forward.

[DaveH]

JScott,
I'm sure I will enjoy it

DaveH

[stevec]

(05-16-2014, 03:03 PM)DaveH Wrote: Nope - never heard of it

DaveH

Nor have I, but then, we Canajuns get thrown in jail if we make guns.

[JScott]

I recently found all the uncut pieces of this model in a box in my garage.  They were temporarily missing in action due to our move from Alabama to Louisiana.  This summer I am definitely going to finish "whittling" out the various parts and check my modified geometry for fit and function.  I didn't change the design.  I just tweaked some of the dimensions to make the pieces in the CAD drawing work through the complete range of motion.

[JScott]

Here is a picture of my CAD drawing with a .218 Bee shown as the chambering.

   

[Mike E.]

Nice design, but don't forget the tang attachment for the long stock bolt.
Have you settled on the Bee as your calibre for the rifle ?

[JScott]

Mike,

Yes, the first caliber I would like to do is a .218 Bee.  I have a Thompson Contender 10" in the same chambering, plenty of brass and also reloading dies.  Plus it would make this a fun little walk about rifle and a great match in a single shot.

I didn't show the tang here for clarity as I wanted a nice big picture to better show the details.  The complete drawing has each piece separated out and dimensioned including an item and material list.  Here a two more illustrations of the action cocked and ready to fire and with the swinging block lowered to extract the cartridge case.  I wanted to do this on the computer to hopefully cut down on the time spent handfitting the internals of this design and make sure all the parts fit with the proper clearances and functions.  This should really help me save time and not have to remachine any parts.

   

   

[Highpower]

All I can say is keep going once you get started. Don't be like me and get half way through it and get derailed by some other thing that you have to get done instead. There is always something else that comes along later, and so on and so on.

Time consuming projects like that are hard for me to stay on because of life getting in the way. I've got all the drawings for a 10/22 sitting here (Western Sky), and all the necessary materials that have been sitting here for years and I'm sorry to say that it will most likely never get done. Too many unfinished projects as it is to even think about starting another one.

You've obviously put a lot of effort into the planning stages already and I would like to see it completed even though it's not my own. At least I would get to see something get done.