Do it yourself Stock making thread

[heydogman]

@heydogman that is a beautiful stock bud! Well done!! I really like the crisp lines you put in.
- I also use a farriers rasp fairly regularly. I have a Nicholson that has a handle on each end that is nice


I have been working on a new one and teaching myself how to checker. I still have plenty of work to do but I have the basic shaping and inlet done. Now for all the detail work and finishing. This one is for a college roommate and long time friend. He has only seen the picture of the blank and doesn't know it is for him. I think he will be pretty excited once I am done and surprise him for his birthday.
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This is my first attempt at checkering a stock grip. I have places to fix but I think it is a good start. This is 18LPI with a 10LPI skip for French Checkering. I wanted to try something different than my typical stippling that would sort of cover the beautiful grain in the grip area
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That's a beauty for sure! I originally rounded my forend than yesterday decided to put a angle on it. I think it took about 5 minutes with the rasp than a progression of finer files. That rasp is quick.
I try to keep lines because of the Hawken influence and one sign of a good Hawken builder is keeping the lines.
Maybe you could teach me to checker, I think we live pretty close.

 

[CStuck]

That's a beauty for sure! I originally rounded my forend than yesterday decided to put a angle on it. I think it took about 5 minutes with the rasp than a progression of finer files. That rasp is quick.
I try to keep lines because of the Hawken influence and one sign of a good Hawken builder is keeping the lines.
Maybe you could teach me to checker, I think we live pretty close.

Thank you bud. I'm glad that rasp is working well for you, it is definitely a handy tool. I do the same process, rough in with rasp, then move to finer files, then a sand paper glued to a piece of thick aluminum so it doesn't flex and I can keep a clean line.

You are welcome to come by, or we can set up a time for me to come visit and do a little checkering practice. I am certainly no professional at this point, but I have learned a ton in the last few months practicing checkering. I can atleast show you the tools and give you an idea of what you need and how I have learned to set it up. It is a time consuming and sometimes painful process, but rewarding. Like I have said before, I am happy to share the knowledge I've gained for the growth of this community. Knowledge that isn't passed on is a waste in my opinion.

I also built a cradle from some scrap 2x4s I had around the shop to help with shaping/checkering

 

[heydogman]

That is a beauty,I really dig the herring bone figure in this pic. Looks like a Chevron design point towards the butt. Great job.

Thank you. It's my huntin rifle.

 

[heydogman]

Thank you bud. I'm glad that rasp is working well for you, it is definitely a handy tool. I do the same process, rough in with rasp, then move to finer files, then a sand paper glued to a piece of thick aluminum so it doesn't flex and I can keep a clean line.

You are welcome to come by, or we can set up a time for me to come visit and do a little checkering practice. I am certainly no professional at this point, but I have learned a ton in the last few months practicing checkering. I can atleast show you the tools and give you an idea of what you need and how I have learned to set it up. It is a time consuming and sometimes painful process, but rewarding. Like I have said before, I am happy to share the knowledge I've gained for the growth of this community. Knowledge that isn't passed on is a waste in my opinion.

I also built a cradle from some scrap 2x4s I had around the shop to help with shaping/checkeringView attachment 1103133

I'd like that and appreciate it. That stock will be the birthday present of a lifetime.

 

[heydogman]

Baking in the sun after rubbing the dye with burlap. Starting with the oil tonight.
If you like a lot of figure you might love it, if not you probably will hate it.

 

[Bc'z]

Beautiful!!!

 

[ridgeway]

Any composite/carbon fiber experts here? I had in mind making a core out of balsa and vacuum bag the entire core with carbon fiber cloth or carbon/kevlar. Any tips or tricks in doing something like this that comes out nice?

 

[Mojomfg]

Any composite/carbon fiber experts here? I had in mind making a core out of balsa and vacuum bag the entire core with carbon fiber cloth or carbon/kevlar. Any tips or tricks in doing something like this that comes out nice?

Im no composite expert .. But ive worked with a lot of balsa in other hobbies .. Personally i would consider a using a stronger wood in the center with balsa laminated on both sides

 

[Mojomfg]

I can’t wait to see your design.

This is what ive made for a pattern to put in the duplucator ..35" long. 3" wide forend
Im sure i will revise it a few more times

 

[joshb]

Any composite/carbon fiber experts here? I had in mind making a core out of balsa and vacuum bag the entire core with carbon fiber cloth or carbon/kevlar. Any tips or tricks in doing something like this that comes out nice?

I have plans to venture into those waters, too. I googled a bunch of stuff for research. I bought some Paulonia from a guy that also sells paddle board kits. It’s very light wood and pretty cheap. Take a look. My plan is to glue in a short piece of hard maple under the action for strength. The fiber wrap still has me puzzled so I haven’t done it yet. I’ve worked in fiberglass and always had trouble with “edges and seams”.

 

[Fast14riot]

Any composite/carbon fiber experts here? I had in mind making a core out of balsa and vacuum bag the entire core with carbon fiber cloth or carbon/kevlar. Any tips or tricks in doing something like this that comes out nice?

I have a bit of experience with laminate and currently sell it. Problem with making a blank out of balsa is that you will have soft spots as the grain will be wrong in many areas. Typically with balsa core laminates, they use sheets that are end grain. I would look into some core foams, like divinycell or possibly non woven like Coremat. You will need to use a twill woven cloth like 284. Epoxy or Vinylester resins for carbon.

 

[joshb]

I have to find some better wood! You guys are posting some gorgeous stocks! I don’t know what to say so I’ll just say WOW!

 

[Fast14riot]

I'd love to find some punky cedar and to a 3 or 5 layer laminate with carbon fiber between layers and a clear glass on top.

 

[Bc'z]

I have to find some better wood! You guys are posting some gorgeous stocks! I don’t know what to say so I’ll just say WOW!

You should see the quilted maple I'm working on now.
I was told to make it pop!
Suggestions?

 

[heydogman]

You should see the quilted maple I'm working on now.
I was told to make it pop!
Suggestions?

Yellow and orange brings it out.

 

[heydogman]

I have to find some better wood! You guys are posting some gorgeous stocks! I don’t know what to say so I’ll just say WOW!

Found some curly European Beech, kind of looks like it's made for a stock.

 

[Bc'z]

Got home from priming a walnut xringstock,
And this one was in the mail just got done staining.
Before
Sanded
1st coat of dye

 

[Bc'z]

I have to find some better wood! You guys are posting some gorgeous stocks! I don’t know what to say so I’ll just say WOW!

Not a gun stock but check this out.

 

[joshb]

I repeat! Wow! Bc! You’re killing me!.........my bank account will suffer because of you!

 

[ridgeway]

I have a bit of experience with laminate and currently sell it. Problem with making a blank out of balsa is that you will have soft spots as the grain will be wrong in many areas. Typically with balsa core laminates, they use sheets that are end grain. I would look into some core foams, like divinycell or possibly non woven like Coremat. You will need to use a twill woven cloth like 284. Epoxy or Vinylester resins for carbon.

How would you go about wrapping around the corners to make it seamless looking?