Hybrid or wood?

[riffehunter717]

I have never made a gun before but am extremely interested in making my first gun. First question is would a hybrid be too difficult for a beginner, and whats involved with making a hybrid? Second question if i go with hybrid i would like to do semi enclosed track and if not fully enclosed track so what is the easiest way to make an enclosed track? and how are other materials used for enclosed tracks?

 

[foxfish]

This might help you - http://forums.deeperblue.net/diy-homemade/72837-105cm-enclosed-track-composite.html

 

[Pastor]

The difficult bit about making a hybrid is aligning the track in the wood with the track on the pipe. The pipe is fitted into the wood by drilling a 3 - 4" deep hole and epoxying the thing in. Unless this joint is in perfect alignment along the length of the gun the finished thing will be bent. OK there are ways of using the pipe as a datum but it's a fiddle. Of course if your woodworking skills are pretty good this won't be a problem but to be honest woody would be a better bet for a first gun.

By semi enclosed track do you mean one like on the Wong hybrids where the enclosed track runs the length of the wood and a rail over the pipe? or a rail like this:

If you mean the fully enclosed type then first cut a slot the same width as the narrow piece at the top as your ball cutter (S below):

Then cut the enclosed track with the ball cutter:

Another way would be to buy a ready made track and fit it to a dovetail track that you machine into your stock

 

[riffehunter717]

Thanks for all the info and by semi enclosed i meant enclosed to rail

 

[Pastor]

Like this?

 

[riffehunter717]

kinda, but im going to try and go with something real original so i can feel like its my gun and not a replica of another