I remember an earlier post someone asking what the flats were used for, a reply was to get a good bite with a pipe wrench... 

GT wrote on Feb 18^th, 2018 at 2:50am:


What I assumed, first time I saw one, was that a special, fitted, wrench was provided for easy brl. removal, something like the ones used with screw-barrel percussion pistols.  Since the idea was copied from percussion Rigbys, I wonder if Rigby provided such a wrench?  Otherwise, if they have no purpose at all, I don't get it.  "Attractive"?  I don't think so, although of course they do demonstrate metal-working skills.

No matter what the grumpy ol' guy above says, it looks mighty good. You're a skillful fellow to pull it off so nicely on the first try. You get the attaboy today.

Very nice.

Boats

In the March - April Single Shot Rifle Journal Vol.59, No 2 and starting on page 22 Steve Durren has a real nice article that includes the making of Rigby Flats as a part of this project rifle series. Clearly written and fully described along with pictures of his setup etc. If one is thinking about doing the same I believe you can still purchase this back issue from the ASSRA and we'll worth the effort and cost.

JLouis

Thanks for the kind words, I look forward to the posts that other members put out there of projects they have going and the ideas these stimulate for me, I try to return the favor.   
Redsetter, I do agree with you, when I first really noticed a firearm with the flats on them, I thought they were hideous and unless they had a reason, like switching barrels, why go to all the effort.  Like many features found on firearms, they grow on you.  I still DO NOT like engraving on a firearm, Harry Pope made a comment referencing that it served no purpose... Checkering... still not a fan of that either...  wedding band on a barrel, I've done a few, again no purpose but a little tiny oddity, stops observant people and identifies character.  Integral quarter rib and banded front sight, a lot of work, but it adds a twist making up a custom feature.  There's more and I'm sure as I wander around these forums and in and out of some of the shows I go to - there will be more  HMMM's
Greg

Zack,
It's a 12" rotary table and I had about 9" between the v-blocks, support wasn't a problem but then again there wasn't much being machined off.  It was more for an outline so I could keep my lines straight and my circles round.  A new quality file, chalk, and a file card, (spare fingers would be nice) help things go smoother.

JMH, 
It's funny you brought that up, a friend that I have been corresponding with said he's going to do like you described and "locktite them" in place.

SSS,
I have to confess, Ron talked me into Stainless for this barrel, I've messed with coloring this back in my bolt gun days but I'm not going to do it here.  I'm going to do a polish to 320 grit then a bead blast dusting, CC the receiver and pieces, a simple Linseed hand rub on the wood and hopefully have a shooter.
Greg