First attempt at checkering

[spitfire_er]

Well, got out a set of Dem-bart tools tonight that I got second hand. Tried my hand at checking for the first time.

Looking for any advice. I know I ran over in a couple spots. Tried getting good points on each pyramid. Did this without magnification so I now have a raging headache. Put a coat of finish on there and immediately realized I forgot to thin it, so it's a tad washed out. Didn't set up for a specific pattern, just started cutting.

Also the cutter heads move a little on my handles, I'm assuming that's not right?

 

[Hal]

Well, got out a set of Dem-bart tools tonight that I got second hand. Tried my hand at checking for the first time.

Looking for any advice. I know I ran over in a couple spots. Tried getting good points on each pyramid. Did this without magnification so I now have a raging headache. Put a coat of finish on there and immediately realized I forgot to thin it, so it's a tad washed out. Didn't set up for a specific pattern, just started cutting.

Also the cutter heads move a little on my handles, I'm assuming that's not right?

Your diamonds line should be 60 degrees not 90 degrees.
Practice on flat surfaces than move on to curved surfaces to match a stock.

Hal

 

[Preacher]

You need to put more angle on the diamonds, like 3 to 1 or more...
That is 1 wide and 3 long..
I like 3 1/2 to 1 personally..
The cutter must never be loose in the handle
Readers are your friend for close up work...
ALWAYS keep the cutter 90˚ to the surface of the wood no matter how it's turned..
Good luck...

 

[ridgeway]

I am going to give checkering a try for the first time too.

Where is a good place to start in your pattern layout? Middle and work your way out?

How many lines do you space out to start with?

Space out in both directions and slowly bring both to depth?

How deep should you go with the spacer tool?

 

[Preacher]

I am going to give checkering a try for the first time too.

Where is a good place to start in your pattern layout? Middle and work your way out?

How many lines do you space out to start with?

Space out in both directions and slowly bring both to depth?

How deep should you go with the spacer tool?

After the outline is laid out just deep enough to see them, and your master lines are laid out, starting in the middle and working out is your best bet for straight lines.
Space out all the lines on both sides before starting to make them deeper..
Go just deep enough to be able to follow the lines with the cutter, go to deep and you'll make it hard to follow the other direction lines.

 

[ridgeway]

here is what i want to checker...

 

[spitfire_er]

When adding lines should a person use the dual cutter or the triple cutter?

 

[Preacher]

When adding lines should a person use the dual cutter or the triple cutter?

I use a duel cutter with one side blank, 3 would work with 2 sides blank, and possibly keep lines straighter..

 

[butchlambert]

here is what i want to checker...

From the 60s.

 

[spitfire_er]

I'll have to pick up some one side blanks. I'll sleep need to install a larger pin between my cutters and the handle. They are moving around to much.

I have a similar stock ad the one posted by ridgeway. Not sure how old mine is, but I'm guessing at least 30-40 years if not older.

Here's my second attempt last night. I messed up a couple lines, but most of the diamonds in the middle I think look decent. I can see now where when you see a stock with some deeper grooves it's where someone tried fixing an f up.

 

[Preacher]

I'll have to pick up some one side blanks. I'll sleep need to install a larger pin between my cutters and the handle. They are moving around to much.

I have a similar stock ad the one posted by ridgeway. Not sure how old mine is, but I'm guessing at least 30-40 years if not older.

Here's my second attempt last night. I messed up a couple lines, but most of the diamonds in the middle I think look decent. I can see now where when you see a stock with some deeper grooves it's where someone tried fixing an f up.

Looks like your getting the hang of it, the diamonds need to be longer though

 

[Gun Smith]

Just ran across this long thread about checkering over at Rimfire Central.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571170

 

[butchlambert]

ek-marlin-424 On the rimfirecentral forum mentioned above did a stock for me on a 40X and he did really fine work and was a pleasure to deal with.

 

[zeke06]

I haven’t done a lot of checkering but I like to wear 3+ reader glasses and it helps to have an adjustable light with a low watt bulb shine across to cast a shadow of your lines. Don’t get in a hurry and take plenty of breaks to rest your eyes too. Looks like your getting the hang of it.

 

[boltfluter]

ek-marlin-424 On the rimfirecentral forum mentioned above did a stock for me on a 40X and he did really fine work and was a pleasure to deal with.

Butch,

Wow, that is a beautiful rifle with some amazing checkering! Thanks for sharing.

Paul

 

[butchlambert]

I think that Evan Koch is a member here.

 

[spitfire_er]

Just ran across this long thread about checkering over at Rimfire Central.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571170

That's a good link, thanks. I'll tune up my tools, might grab a few more cutters and try again.

Then guess I better make a cradle if I can get anything to pass as decent checkering job.

 

[Preacher]

I use a small swivel vice for my checkering, works way better than any cradle I've ever used...
Works for pistol grips or full length rifle stocks..

 

[spitfire_er]

Here's the stock I'm thinking about checkering. Still working on fitting everything and deciding on a forearm cap.

Also had my youngest rifle builder supervising. Just carving, no sanding with this guy on the job.

 

[johnfred1965]

There is a future Boone and Crockett inductee in the making!