Final Photos! - Decided to try making a HBR Stock.

[sparky123321]

Happy New Year everyone!

I was stuck home after some minor sinus surgery, so I decided to try making a HBR Stock for my Savage Target Action based rifle to keep myself busy. Please understand that I have no formal woodworking training and I may just throw the stock out at some point if I don't like the way it's going. I thought some of you might get a kick out of my folly. I'll add photos as the project progresses

I started by downloading a few stock photos and working with them in Microsoft Paint to make a paper template.

Since this may just end up being firewood I am investing as little as possible in this project. So far I purchased a sheet of 18mm 4x8 standard Lauan from Loews, enough for 4 stock blanks, and a couple bottles of interior/exterior wood glue. That brings the total invested in this stock so far to about $15. I know this wood is not exterior rated and I don’t even know if it will hold up longterm. I'm not going to count the cost of the tools used, since I had most of them before starting this project, but I did purchase a few inexpensive router bits on eBay.

Like I said I'm just a little bored and I don't want to waste anyone’s time. I know I'm not the only one out there that's given this a try or at least thought about giving it a try.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Here are a few more photos. I was able to make the butt cuts by pushing through the one side and then reversing the stock clamping it in place and raising the blade up, so that the wider grip wasn't cut.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Sparky,

Yes, Kool Folly indeed. Very interesting and I sure think you have gotten farther than most! Great job so far and keep us posted.. I am anxious to see your finished product!!

Rod

 

[DBailey]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Very impressive start. Looks like it's going to be SWEET!

 

[shortgrass]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Oooops! Where's the inletting? Always do the inletting first, that way if you happen to get the barreled action cocked a bit, and off the center line, a new center line can be established. Shaping first sets that center line 'in stone', no wiggle room for error (and believe stuff happens!).

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Good point, but the barrel/action channel really wasn't one of my big concerns. Maybe I'll regret that, but we'll see how it goes. I'm going to attach two 2x12x1 pieces of wood to the bottom of my router as a guide and then run a 1.25" round nose bit right down the center.

I've inlet several McMillian stocks with just the basic barrel/action channel. I only drill through the front trigger guard screw, after inletting the trigger guard, to ensure proper alignment of the trigger within the trigger guard. I then bed the entire action area with steel epoxy, at least 1/4" thick, after removing the appropriate amount of material. I align the barrel and action using multiple layers of painters tape(10-20) around the tang area and barrel at the end of the stock.

I never use the action screws during the bedding process. I use three 1-1 1/2" stubs, cutdown action screws, to create the holes for the action screws in the steel epoxy. I hold the barrel in a barrel/action vice while doing the bedding and the stock is held in place with strips of bicycle tire tubes. In other words, I let the barreled action and stock do their thing(properly align) while the steel epoxy settles around both to ensure a tight as a drum fit.

Here's a photo of a bedding done using this method. You can even see the stampings on the bottom of the action in the bedding area. Since my recoil lugs are precision ground the only tape I will use is on the bottom of the recoil lug for expansion. I've done a couple without any tape and results were really the same 1/4-1/2 MOA.

 

[shortgrass]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

I guess it's all in the way ya' figure it out or were taught. I've made 11 now, from blanks. I always do my inletting first as that's how I was taught (MCC Troy, NC class of '93). Helps me correct those "errors" that are gonna' happen, no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Learned to do it ALL by hand, and then was introduced (by the stockmaking instructor) how to "speed the process up" by sensibly using a few power tools. Now, I use my vertical mill for some pre-inletting as I can work closer to the lines (not looking for "drop-in", that generall shows gaps!). Used to free-hand with a router (no guides, just tedious work) to get that "hole" established. Mostly, to establish a "bottom" (bury 1/2 the action and barrel). Good luck with your project. ( I see many on the net who buy lathes for chambering. It's a regular "machining" operation, accomplished by any skilled machinist. Want a REAL challenge? Latch on to a stock blank and make a stock! A lot less $$$$,,, alot more frustration!)

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

All good points. Thanks again for your suggestions and advise.

I have it a little easier since this will be a Heavy Benchrest Stock with a straight 1.30" barrel. It will also be a free floating tang, so I want a gap of 1/32"-1/16" all around the barrel and action. The only contact area will be where the action has been bedded.

I'm also a little OCD so I perfer the exact angles, cuts and flats I am able to achieve with basic power tools.

Once again, I have never received any formal stock making or woodworking training. Just kind of making it up as I go along. I am pleased with the way it is going so far though.

 

[sparky123321]

More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

The $9 router bit I've been waiting for finally arrived from Hong Kong this afternoon, so I was able to start the basic inlet. I also attached the additional wood to the forearm. I should be able to square it up, angle cut the forearm wood, round the edges and start the final shaping tomorrow after the glue sets overnight. After that I will inlet the trigger guard and install a recoil pad.

Here are so more photos.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Almost done! Cut the forearm angles today and started to square everything off. I'll inlet the trigger guard and drill the first action hole tomorrow or over the weekend.

Learned a lot and having fun with this project. Thanks again for all the kind words and encouragement. Here are a few more photos.

 

[MGYSGT]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

It must be nice to have skills.

Tom

 

[WayneShaw]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

I am assuming when you write HBR stock, you don't mean Hunter Bench Rest?

 

[Eddie Harren]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Wayne, I made the same assumption. In this case I believe that HBR means "Heavy Bench Rest". Nice looking job though!

 

[Nodak7mm]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Wow, Sparky. Your dang near an inspiration. Would have never thought of using the tablesaw & fence as a milling base and then using a router. How many passes with the router to get to you desired depth? Would like to see your router jig set-up...

Pretty dang kool!

Rod

 

[sparky123321]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

I meant Heavy Benchrest.

You're going to laugh when you see the router jig I used/made. It's just 4 pieces of scrape wood. You just need to make sure it perfectly centered. It wasn't hard to do. I started a shallow cut first to confirm the jig was properly aligned. After that I did the cut to the desired depth with just one slow cut. That $9 Hong Kong router bit did a great job.

I spent this morning hand sanding with a long auto body block. The forearm is dead on and perfectly flat and parallel. Still need to inlet the trigger guard, fill the voids and final sand the stock. I will probably finish it before bedding the action. We'll see. Might do it the other way around.

I dug out some wood from the action area. Nothing fancy, it's going to be full of epoxy steel anyway. I will probably go a little lower into the stock, but I'm waiting to see how the trigger looks in the trigger guard first.

Here's a couple more photos.

 

[WayneShaw]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Well, in that case, it is a nice looking stock. No restrictions! Keep posting!

 

[sparky123321]

Re: More Photos - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

I finished inletting the trigger guard and bedding the action and the first 3" of the barrel. This is the first time I poured the pillars while doing the bedding. It's tight as a drum and I just need to backfill the trigger guard/rear action screw with epoxy and drill it through. I always use that hole to properly align the action, so I couldn't drill it down far enough to complete that pillar.

I really don't have much left to do. I have to inlet the trigger/safety area, install the buttplate and then finish the stock.

 

[sparky123321]

Trigger inlet and stain - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Well, it's really pretty much done at this point. Unfortunately, due to the quality of the wood, I had to go with a dark stain to cover up some of the voids, dark spots and overlaps. I knew this going in though. I really want to see if I could do it first before spending any real money on it. My family and my shooting buddy hate the color of the stain, but I honestly like it(a little lighter though).

I think I'm going to buy a sheet of $100 void and overlap free plywood and make a few more of these. I figure most of the time was spent setting up the table saw cuts and the router, so I might as well do several at one time.

I'll keep this stock for measurements and just because it was my first attempt. I learned a lot, made a few mistakes and came up with better ways to do things, but had fun doing it. I’ll post a couple pictures when it’s all done with the action/barrel, trigger guard and butt plate are installed.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Trigger inlet and stain - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

Even though the wood isn't perfect I couldn't take the stain as dark as it was. I decided to lighten it up this morning. You can't really tell from the photos, but it is now much lighter than it was in the first photo.

 

[kennyg]

Re: Trigger inlet and stain - Decided to try making a HBR Stock. Bored!

I don't know what finish you plan on using, but you could use a tinted lacquer. That would help even out those lighter and darker areas. The stock looks great and I commend you for taking on the project!