There certainly is.
Checkering Refinishing Question(s)
- Thread starter hoz53
- Start date
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Where did you get your info? How come the custom checkering folks refuse to do it? At first glance by an unknowning person, you may surmise that it is easy and unfinished. I suggest that you check with an actual wood stock mag or forum.
shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
Why would I check on a forum, Butch? FYI, my checking instructor was Joe Balickie! I have the diploma to prove it! Maybe you should switch to de-caf.......
Martin Hagn does flat top checkering; so does Ralf Martini. Martin uses a 60 degree cutter which he makes. Actually, he uses the 60 degree cutter to do sharp checkering as well. The sharp checkering is generally finer than the flat top. The checkering on the OP's rifle does appear to be intentionally flat topped. It also appears to vary in spacing quite a bit which would make the use of a single cutter mandatory.
Good flat topped checkering is just as difficult to do as good sharp checkering. In looking carefully at that done by Hagn or Martini, the diamonds are all exactly the same size and stay the same right up to the border. WH
Good flat topped checkering is just as difficult to do as good sharp checkering. In looking carefully at that done by Hagn or Martini, the diamonds are all exactly the same size and stay the same right up to the border. WH
Two things are interesting in that stock . At first i thought it was a home project, but no over runs , interesting. Then the spacing appears to be sub par , more like a beginner, but no over runs and no border to hide mistakes . I would clean the checkering up with a single line cutter , going a little deeper but still keeping the the flat design . I think it would be better looking ( hide the spacing issue ) if cut to full depth creating pointed checkering .
sorry no coffee yet .
Hoz , do you want to borrow some tools ?
sorry no coffee yet .
Hoz , do you want to borrow some tools ?
Chocdawg
Silver $$ Contributor
Use a tooth brush with furniture grade finish remover. Did that on my upland o/u shotgun and can now see wood grain on checkering after finish applied.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Surprised it hit you that hard. As I said, do some research.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
This is an old thread, but shortgrass may need to check with his instructor,Joe, and other professional checkering people about flat top checkering.
therifler
Silver $$ Contributor
check your lines per inch. stock makers made their own checkering patterns which you may see on some older stocks . LC. Smith did in fact intentionally make flat checkering patterns . modern firearm patterns tend to be more in line with 16,18 and 20 lines per inch and have sharp diamond . if it doesn't match any of those lines listed, chances are bringing them to a sharp diamond is not possible . let me add it may be possible to split the diamond that is there and produce a finer pattern . i won't know without measurements. ah old world gunsmithing has gone bye , bye for the common stock . just easier to through synthetic on it and the stock work for fine wood costs a much as a complete rifle today and more .
Last edited:
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
My photo posting is non existent at this time. I can email a couple photos if somebody would like to post them.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
hi butch-- I just noticed this thread. I started last year I guess. my email is hozz99@gmail.com if you'd want to email pics ill post them. I still haven't refinished this stock but have removed some finish lately. I think the checkering was done by someone who wasn't an expert. I will try to leave it as is and just clean out the groves. thanks
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
hi rifler -- I will try to leave this checkering as original and just clean it up and refinish it. thanks
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
that is why I have done so far thanks
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
I don't think he's around here anymore
SGW Gunsmith
"Accipere non casus-Virga Bis"
Using a 90° single line cutter, that checkering can easily be pointed up. Being that the stock grain looks quite course, it might be whomever did the initial checkering was afraid to lose some of the diamonds as with course grain wood, the tops can pop off. A good hardwood stock will take finer checkering at 24 LPI and pointed up with a 75° finishing cutter:
Actually, there are three single line cutters, with 60°, 75° and then 90° included angle cutting teeth. The 75° cutters I bought from W.E. Brownells when they were sill made in the USA.
Actually, there are three single line cutters, with 60°, 75° and then 90° included angle cutting teeth. The 75° cutters I bought from W.E. Brownells when they were sill made in the USA.
SGW Gunsmith
"Accipere non casus-Virga Bis"
Monte Kennedy's book, "Checkering & Carving of Gunstocks" has flat top checkering throughout. A very good example of 'flat-top' style checkering that's been used on Weatherby Rifles is what's called skip-line or French checkering. Sorta looks like this:
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Monte Kennedy's book, "Checkering & Carving of Gunstocks" has flat top checkering throughout. A very good example of 'flat-top' style checkering that's been used on Weatherby Rifles is what's called skip-line or French checkering. Sorta looks like this:
I do have a copy, but it sits on the shelf as I will not be checkering. I do admire great checkering though.
I just checkered the grip on one of my silhouette rifles. I checker one or two stocks a year and feel like that is too many! I don't know how the good guys do it so quickly and easily. WH
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Hoz53 said he would post a photo of 2 of mine, 1 a point pattern and 1 a flat top checkering.
SGW Gunsmith
"Accipere non casus-Virga Bis"
Here's some Ruger Mark pistol panels that I did a while back. Both are American Walnut. The one on the left is again, "skip-line" checkering, often seen on 1911 pistols grips, and some Weatherby rifle stocks. The panel on the right is 20 LPI with a 90° single line cutter to point up the checkering:
At this point in time, I don't know of any person who does checkering and makes their own cutters. Most use either the Dembart or Gun-Line brand. Sad to say, but the ones I use are no longer of the same quality that they used to be:
Flat-top checkering serves no actual functional purpose, it's more of a decoration. But consider that, to look good the diamonds should still be the same size and cut to the same depth. Not a real easy task to do. And, when checkering gets finer than 24 LPI, it also doesn't serve to provide the "purchase" involved with having a steady hold on the grip or forearm:
At this point in time, I don't know of any person who does checkering and makes their own cutters. Most use either the Dembart or Gun-Line brand. Sad to say, but the ones I use are no longer of the same quality that they used to be:
Flat-top checkering serves no actual functional purpose, it's more of a decoration. But consider that, to look good the diamonds should still be the same size and cut to the same depth. Not a real easy task to do. And, when checkering gets finer than 24 LPI, it also doesn't serve to provide the "purchase" involved with having a steady hold on the grip or forearm:
Last edited:
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.