I poted a question about repairing a stock in the gunsmithing section, but after getting the broken pieces back from the manufacturer, I do not feel comfortable trying to repair it myself. The grain runs across the wrist, and I feel if I glue it, it will just crack again. I am thinking of some type of pin or screw to reinforce the area, but there is so little wood to work with, I don't want to do it myself. Is there anyone out there that can make this repair at a reasonable cost, or can recommend someone that can? I am in central Ky, but don't mind shipping it out to the right person.
A question for stocksmiths
- Thread starter johnfred1965
- Start date
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Hey. Can you send me some pics. What kind of stock is it? Wood type?
Here or my email: JoshuaCBoucher@verizon.net
Here or my email: JoshuaCBoucher@verizon.net
Lapua40X
California Hunter Education Instructor
I understand how intimidating it can be when doing your own stock repairs. Whether you want to try it or not, perhaps you or someone else may want to consider what I've done when repairing broken pieces like the one you describe.
I take great pains in developing a clamping mechanism that will hold the pieces securely in place when realigned. I then drill one or more holes (depending on the break and the area accessible) from one side through the mating side, as deep as practically possible, using a drill bit size that corresponds with a specific size of hardwood dowel rod. With the holes drilled and all debris blown out (compressed air) I use a high quality carpenters glue (I like Elmer's E7040) applied to both broken surfaces, the drilled holes and the dowel(s). Driving the dowels into place and clamping the pieces for 24 hours typically produces a stronger union than the original solid piece. Then I simply follow up with refinishing.
Takes patience and careful attention to details but it works very well.
Best of luck ......
I take great pains in developing a clamping mechanism that will hold the pieces securely in place when realigned. I then drill one or more holes (depending on the break and the area accessible) from one side through the mating side, as deep as practically possible, using a drill bit size that corresponds with a specific size of hardwood dowel rod. With the holes drilled and all debris blown out (compressed air) I use a high quality carpenters glue (I like Elmer's E7040) applied to both broken surfaces, the drilled holes and the dowel(s). Driving the dowels into place and clamping the pieces for 24 hours typically produces a stronger union than the original solid piece. Then I simply follow up with refinishing.
Takes patience and careful attention to details but it works very well.
Best of luck ......
Try Pedersons Gunshop in Ludington Michigan. Tell him what you have,maybe with a photo or two. Repairing broken stocks is kind of a sideline with him but he's very good. Engraving is his specialty.
It is a burl walnut varminter stock. There are a couple of pics of the crack
I will have some more pics of the stock in two pieces, the only place there is wood is right on the sides. The front half looks like a U where the action and trigger cutout is.
I will take some better hi rex pics, maybe without the glare tomorrow
It's a bit tough to see but it appears the problem is going to be there isn't a lot of wood in that area of the stock. It's too thin to use dowels to reinforce the area. I would suggest using a thin wood glue to glue the two pieces together. Let that dry for at least a day. Then, with a dremel tool, or similar, CAREFULLY hollow out the areas around the crack inside the stock. I would remove at least an inch of wood from either side of the crack. You will want to remove about half the wood between the inside and outside of the stock. Next, find some strips of walnut and using a LOT of epoxy (a good acraglass gel or similar with fiberglass fibers will work well), glue the walnut strips into the areas you've hollowed out making sure the grain runs parallel to the stock. If you are familiar with fishplating, this is what we are trying to do here. Fill in as much of the area as you can without interfereing with the action/trigger and rebed the entire action area to reduce stresses in this area. I did this with a stock similar to yours and you could hardly tell it was broken and it never failed in a 243.
If this is a 458 Mag or another big boomer, just get another stock. I had a buddy who repaired a stock like this in a 300 mag and he was always worried about it splintering and injuring him once it did. This caused him to lose his concentration and the last time he used it he pulled up on a deer and never shot because of it! The stock never failed, but his confidence sure did. It was restocked after that.
If this is a 458 Mag or another big boomer, just get another stock. I had a buddy who repaired a stock like this in a 300 mag and he was always worried about it splintering and injuring him once it did. This caused him to lose his concentration and the last time he used it he pulled up on a deer and never shot because of it! The stock never failed, but his confidence sure did. It was restocked after that.
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gme
Site $$ Sponsor
Doan turns work around pretty quick, he never charges enough for the time and effort
Those pictures tell a better story! I think you need to seek another stock on this site because I do not think anyone would try and repair that at all.
Good luck
Bill
Good luck
Bill
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
I have to agree with Bill and Gary. That stock is toast. You can see the grain of the wood running perpendicular to the action. The weakest configuration for a gun stock. Even if you fixed it, it would prolly break again. If it's "special" to you, the guy that mentioned hogging out material from the inside and glueing in stronger, straight grained wood is on the right track. Even then, it could still break again in the future. Sorry for the bad news. It was prolly a very pretty stock. When I make mine from a pretty piece of wood, I position the curly grain in the butt and the straight grain around the action.
Much better pics. Gonna have to revoke my post above though. I wouldn't try to repair that one. There's just no way to adequately reinforce it. It's unfortunate. It's nice looking piece of wood.
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