Do it yourself Stock making thread

[Fast14riot]

Sorry to hear about that. Keep your head up mate.

How about a great excuse to buy new tools though!

About hand tools. My hand gouges are the most dangerous thing in my shop by a mile. Ill stick with the router and Josh's box jig technique as its safer for me my tools and anyone within 10meters....

The box jig and router is an excellent way to go, but it's mainly limited to scratch building. I'm currently reshaping/fixing an existing stock and it is very difficult to just fixture it. I do agree on the gouges, though! Although, hand tools make mistakes much slower than power tools do, lol! For me its about maintaining skills, which is why I still shoot iron sights pretty regularly. All my kids know that my work/loading area is off limits, especially when I'm working. Just too many things that can go wrong if I'm distracted. I've been accused of being OCD by more than one person, but I also have the patience of a stone wall, so if it takes me 20 hours to do the work that would take 2 hours on a mill, i dont care.

 

[heydogman]

Nice shape and a pretty piece of wood!

Thanks Josh, I'm still trimming the fat. 96 degrees in the shop.

 

[joshb]

Thanks Josh, I'm still trimming the fat. 96 degrees in the shop.

Oh, that sucks. My shop is under my garage, buried in the cool earth. It’s about 75 degrees in there, right now. About 90, outside. I’m in the process of cleaning out. It’s gotten embarrassing when people stop in.
I started pulling some wood out of the attic but it’s gotta be 120 up there.

 

[heydogman]

Oh, that sucks. My shop is under my garage, buried in the cool earth. It’s about 75 degrees in there, right now. About 90, outside. I’m in the process of cleaning out. It’s gotten embarrassing when people stop in.
I started pulling some wood out of the attic but it’s gotta be 120 up there.

75 is a dream. At 2300 it's still 85 in here and outside. Doors open, window open and fan running. That wood in the attic ought to be dry.

 

[TrxR]

The type of bit is called a "Box Core" bit, I prefer the 1/2" shank. I have a few box core bits 1-3/8" & 1-1/4" dia for action inlet. Then I have 1/2" dia to 1" dia box core bits for the barrel channel

Hope this helps

Thanks I can find 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 but can't seem to find a 1-3/8 anywhere.

Would the 1-1/2 leave too thick of bedding area?

 

[joshb]

Thanks I can find 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 but can't seem to find a 1-3/8 anywhere.

Would the 1-1/2 leave too thick of bedding area?

I’ve not seen an 1 3/8” either. I thought of ordering a custom but never did. The easy way is to use the 1 1/4” and cut 1/16” wider on each side. The bottom of the cut won’t be “perfect” but the bedding takes care of that.
When I got started, I bought the 1”, 1 1/4” and 1 1/2”. I used the 1 1/2” maybe once before I figured out the better way.

 

[TrxR]

Ok i will order the 1-1/4 and if necessary i can open the extra by hand if needed. .

Thanks.

 

[Mojomfg]

The finish line is in sight ....

 

[Fast14riot]

Spending a little time working on the maple BR stock, reshaping the tip. Got it square and pretty close to how I want it.

 

[Fast14riot]

Was still feeling good (home from work with a pulled muscle today) after taking care of the tip I decided to match up the profile taper on each side to each other. Because this stock was asymmetrical to start with the right side vertical flat was .200" taller than the left. Looking from the tip the left side was also convex and the right was flat(ish). All this work I'm doing is with files, rasps, chisels so far, haven't even touched it with sandpaper yet. Good measurements and layout help keep things in line.

Right side after making stock parallel

Left side after making parallel and what I needed to match


Right side 97% matched to left. Just needs a little more fine tuning.

 

[joshb]

Looking good!

 

[CStuck]

Over the holiday break I got closer to finishing up two stocks I am working on. Hopefully get recoil pads in soon and finish up the final touches.
Cherry and then a Maple & Purpleheart Combo

 

[joshb]

Pretty figure in that Cherry!
Two really nice stocks there!

 

[CStuck]

Pretty figure in that Cherry!
Two really nice stocks there!

I love the cherry! I think I am going to keep it haha

 

[Fast14riot]

That cherry is pretty!

 

[Fast14riot]

Started assessing the back half of the stock today, this thing is going to need some work! I cut a small flat parallel to the forend just to see how much and where I need to remove wood...

The things like the pistol grip rounding off to the bottom and very uneven shaping just lead me to believe this was either a first time project or laziness. Simply just laying out an accurate centerline can make the end result so much better!

 

[TrxR]

Any hints or tips on inletting the tang? Its a thick benchrest action tang.

Im going to do the major channel with a 1-1/4 core box bit but am trying to picture recessing the tang so its flush with surface of the stock.

 

[joshb]

Oooh! You want a challenge! Tangs: where to stop. The main body of the action? Yup. Measuring the height to leave is easy. The sides are the trick.

 

[heydogman]

Over the holiday break I got closer to finishing up two stocks I am working on. Hopefully get recoil pads in soon and finish up the final touches.
Cherry and then a Maple & Purpleheart Combo
View attachment 1114858

View attachment 1114859

Nice!

 

[heydogman]

I think the shaping is done. I put a 3/8 offset and a slight cant to it. It's balanced well and shoulders right on target with the scope on it. Pillars are in and going to bed it today, then try and get the file marks out. Right now it's feeding from the magazine. Flame Birch machines well but it's very difficult to work by hand. Even a freshly sharpened scraper can cause tearout.