Checkering

[Walt Krafft]

To checker, or not to checker, that is the question.
I have a number of competion rifles, and none have checkering. I have one with stippling on the grip. I have several military rifles, and none have checkering. If the checkering was for improved grip, I would think these rifles would have it. All of the wood stocked hunting rifles I have are checkered. It does add some extra grip. If the checkering is for decoration, it does do that too. But on some highly figured stocks, it actually hides the pretty wood.
I am building a couple of hunting rifles using pre-64 Winchester actions. Both will have exibition quality stocks. Normally I would put a light coat of oil on them and send them out for checkering. Then I would mask off the checkering, apply 20-30 more coats of oil, unmask the checkering, and add a couple coats of oil to the checkering, working it in with a toothbrush.
I really like the depth of the finish Bc'z applies. It does an excellant job of sealing the wood against moisture. And his use of dyes and candies and such is amazing. But his finish would fill in any checkering if it was done first. Checkering it after would cut through the finish. Doesn't seem a good idea. Maybe he could add some grippy stuff in place of checkering?
What option do you like? Or, is there another option?

 

[pdhntr]

To checker, or not to checker, that is the question.
I have a number of competion rifles, and none have checkering. I have one with stippling on the grip. I have several military rifles, and none have checkering. If the checkering was for improved grip, I would think these rifles would have it. All of the wood stocked hunting rifles I have are checkered. It does add some extra grip. If the checkering is for decoration, it does do that too. But on some highly figured stocks, it actually hides the pretty wood.
I am building a couple of hunting rifles using pre-64 Winchester actions. Both will have exibition quality stocks. Normally I would put a light coat of oil on them and send them out for checkering. Then I would mask off the checkering, apply 20-30 more coats of oil, unmask the checkering, and add a couple coats of oil to the checkering, working it in with a toothbrush.
I really like the depth of the finish Bc'z applies. It does an excellant job of sealing the wood against moisture. And his use of dyes and candies and such is amazing. But his finish would fill in any checkering if it was done first. Checkering it after would cut through the finish. Doesn't seem a good idea. Maybe he could add some grippy stuff in place of checkering?
What option do you like? Or, is there another option?

I use to do a lot of auto clear on stocks and many of them were checkered.

I would checker the stock and mask the checkering and then apply the auto clear. As the clear was setting up I would carefully remove the tape. If done at the correct time in the process, the "rough" edge will smooth over ever so nicely and will disappear.

This works for other types of non-auto clear coatings as well. Takes a little practice with the particular finish you are using but that is part of the process of spraying clear coat on checkered stocks.

With that said, I certainly can't speak for BC. He knows much more about the finishes he applies than I do, and I can't comment on the ability of those finishes to be successful in the process I used. I am guessing he has figured out something by now. He is a talented guy.

Jim

 

[Bc'z]

I cleared some shotgun furniture once.
Working with checkering and my high build, high gloss finish is a huge PITA.
Mask to protect for sanding, remask for primer, remask for every step through the process, then peel tape after 1st batch of clear to lock down and edges and seal checkering. now I've done a few hunting stocks that had no checkering that were finished with automotive clears 2 for @Dusty Stevens and 1 for my wife, oh yeah @ford32. I can't speak for the other guys but wife's rifle gets packed around in the truck and hunted in wet weather.
Dusty'smy brides in the rainFord's dedication to his sister

So yes, me refinishing over checkering is doable, just something I don't like to do as it adds 10-12 hours of tedium that unfortunately I need to charge for.

 

[Kurz]

Charging for required work is a necessity. It can cut down on the number jobs requested but so be it. There will always be those who reject your quote for being too high but then you're left with those who willingly compensate you for your efforts.

Your work is top quality and deserves recognition both verbally and in the payment for the work finished.

Thanks for your talent!

 

[Stumpy1]

Dude! That shotgun stock is GORGEOUS! You continue to amaze -of course your stuff is too purdy to take the range, but still...

 

[ford32]

Agreed, that shotgun stock is amazing! I'd think before taking it in the woods. BUT It goes

 

[mike mccormick]

IMO......checkering is strictly an aesthetic, and some of the true artists at it can produce some really beautiful work. My problem is, if the woodwork is too pretty, i can't force myself to hunt with it. I do like the stippling that many of the european hunting rifles have gone to. It does give some grip, but is by no means an art form. To each his own. If it will be a show piece, pretty it up.

 

[butchlambert]

This checkering does not take away from the wood in my opinion. In my personal wood stocked custom I do not want an item that just stands out over the rest of the rifle.

 

[Walt Krafft]

That is one stunning stick of wood!!!

 

[butchlambert]

That is one stunning stick of wood!!!

Thanks Walt. It came from Roger Vardy in Australia. He is my go to wood stock blank guy.