Making Fiberglass Stocks???

[robbor]

Has anybody seen the process of making a glass stock?
Ive had it in the back of my mind, trying to make a glass stock. Im planning on stopping by Mcmillan next time through Arizona, hopefully they give tours.

 

[BoydAllen]

Within this video is one way that they are made.
http://www.bansnersrifle.com/miscellaneous.html

 

[BillK]

It would be a ton of work and for someone buying the materials in small quantity would probably cost you more to build one than buy one.

 

[robbor]

Thanks guys, Ill take a look. I found a really good deal on uninletted glass stocks so now Im trying to figure out if I know anybody with a mill or if I can come up with a jig to use a router. Id save about $250 and still have a molded in color mcmillan.
Anybody know about where to get bits for actions, as I recall they are about 1.36 so probably a 1.4" bit??? I worked for a glass boat shop way back but everything we made was 2 piece or more. I really doubt It would cost me more to make than buy. Just unsure if they are injected and how they make them as 1 piece. On the other side its alot more work to have to reinvent the wheel:crazy:, would be less trouble to just inlet. I have 2 lathes but no mill, anybody want to trade a lathe for a mill. Richards microfit is right around the corner so ill drop in and see if i can get a tour and pickup pointers on how to setup for inletting.

 

[RickB]

For prototyping or very low volume production you can put one together like a surf board. Get some foam of the appropriate size and shape it to suit yourself. Layup the fiberglass, carbon fiber or whatever on the outside and let it cure. You can also vacuum bag it to improve the consistency of the layup if you want.

There are several people putting together stocks out of Balsa wood, cedar,frequently laminated from multiple pieces of wood) and other woods and then laying up carbon fiber on the outside in a similar fashion.

The mold technique described is a good one to make multiple stocks to the same design though.