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This page is not met to be brisk or spiteful. It is, however; a thorough discussion of an endlessly ongoing thorny issue.

I can't help - please don't ask ... Thanks.

 

Several times each week, I get requests from people which go roughly along these lines:

1). I have access to a machine shop ... so, can you please tell me how to make a PCP rifle?

2). I have experience as a machinist ... I just don't know what parts to make. Can you help?

3). Can I just buy the "valve thingie" from you? I have a barrel already.

4). Can you explain how you got started, how PCP rifles work, and what things I'd need to know to make one for myself. Plans, illustrations, along with any photos, would be greatly appreciated. (Please understand - I only want to make one for myself - I'm not going to be any competitive threat to you).

5). I love your work but don't expect to win the Lottery anytime soon. I'd like to just make one instead. Can you tell me how?

6). I have an "X" brand rifle. How do I convert it into a MOA 300 fpe PCP?

7). All I need is detailed blueprints, materials list, and step by step illustrated instructions.

8). What books can I buy to tell me all about making PCP rifles?

9). Don't want anything fancy (edit: meaning well made, complete, and safe) - just want to make one for a project.

10). Any and/or all of the above ....

 

There is an old saying: "When the student is ready ... a teacher will appear."

Ooohhhhhh .... that clears things up ... thanks.

Actually, it does. Information is everywhere. You absorb it as you are able. If you lack basic skills, you obtain them first. You build upon those basic skills, and all of the sudden you understand something which was unclear before. Experience (through applied practice), gives you the basis to cross-reference something you learned five years ago with something you just read at 2am wed. night. You read every obscure mention of the topic in question (do a google search) - pour over every illustration for hours. When you have applied your knowledge and experience as far as you can go, you'll then know the next single question to ask. At that point, someone will be able to tell that you are serious, and may help you.

Most of this is lost today. Most people are unwilling to invest an honest hour in actual research, study, or practice. It's expected that we can bypass all of that and simply download the pure distilled essence in the form of "Step 1", "Step 2", and ...(hopefully), be finished by step five. That is ... step by step on CD ROM ... with trouble shooting guides, self-help linked websites, and 24 hour tech support. Materials lists (hopefully already pre-packaged as kits) allow someone to ... "Handmake" ... the object by slicing open it's bubble wrap container.

Many people tell me they've already read the areas of this site where I disclose that you need an extensive background in machining (but ... they know a machinist), that you need an extensive understanding of engineering principles, math, and materials (but ... that's why they want instructions), that I've worked 30 years for the knowledge I have (but ... they only want to make one), and that the interaction of all the working parts is what makes this extremely complex PCP operate (but ...they only want to build a simple one).

The bottom line: I can't make a person into a machinist. I can't make them patient. I can't give them an attention span. I can't make them envision the end of a six month project. I can't make them careful. I won't teach them math. I won't give them just enough knowledge to blow themselves up. In short, when a person has the experience required to do this work, he won't have to ask. This isn't building a picnic table, or even overhauling an engine and building a Street Rod. That's cut and bolt - all wrench turning with production parts. I'm designing and making the parts. As in ... from raw materials. No designs that I haven't engineered. No drawings that I haven't drafted. No parts that I haven't fabricated. I'm not trying to be insulting to anyone ... but it's always amazing to me the numbers of folks who think this is just a cake walk. Having answered scores upon scores of these requests, I put references to my policy throughout the site. Still they come in - most often referring to my references throughout the site and telling me how their request is different. Therefore; I've posted this page so that I may refer to it (and hopefully head off most requests at the pass).

I hope this helps ... I realize it's all wrong from the point of view of those who ask. However; when you learn to know someone, you learn to respect their ways of doing things. Eventually, when you've applied yourself, and know what specifically to ask, a specific answer can be found. The general "tell me everything you know ... quickly ..." just won't work.

In jest, the other day, a well known airgun smith ask me how to build a BMW. He said he just needed one. So, I told him to simply buy a new Mercedes and file away everything that didn't look like a BMW.

In closing ... that part about the Lottery always gets me. I have people on the ledger buying their Barnes rifle for a dollar to three dollars a day. There is absolutely no way anyone can build one for that, nor do they require a lottery win.

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