Inletting Thimbles

When inletting a lower entry thimble, don’t let the optical illusion fool you. Inlet straight down and remove the bulk of material from under the tab where it joins the thimble sleeve. Work slowly and use inletting black. When you get close use a piece of ramrod to make sure of the fit, and keep inletting down until the rod slides in clean.

Thimble exposure is not determined by what your stock maker provided you. It is determined by the style first. If no reference photos are available, a good rule of thumb is that 2/3 of the ramrod, when laying in the channel, is visible. When you inlet your thimbles the inside diameter must be flush with the bottom of the channel to aid your rod to slide cleanly into the stock. Use 2 pins to prevent thimbles from rocking and always 2 on the entry. Pre-bend the long belly tab slightly just before your final installation so that when you press the thimble into place, it is slightly under pressure when pinned. This will aid to hold that tab up beneath the belly of the lower forestock.