Zebra wood stock. Ready for the range. Final post.

[sparky123321]

Since the first one came out better than I expected I decided to upgrade some of my power tools and make a batch of stocks with better wood and a little more experience under my belt. I'm making two for myself using zebra wood. Zebra wood is very expensive, but it looks amazing. Most of the time was spent setting up the tools and the cuts, so I figured I might as well make several at one time.

I'll post some pictures when time permits. All the wood is laminated and cut into rough blanks at this point. Next step will be to cut the barrel/action channels and then to cut the profiles.

Thanks again for all the help everyone gave me the last time around. No purple stain this time I promise and I'm probably going to incorporate some barrel vent holes and a few adjustable butt plates and cheek/combs.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Sparky,

Now there is a project I cant wait to see. I even went so far to make zebrawood test panels to see which finish looked best to my eyes. It has been one thing to mess around with scraps like I did, but your going all the way. This will be a highly anticipated project in my eyes.

FWIW: I think you should post pix from day one, including the laying up of the laminate panel, splain what glues, clamping process, etc... Weak minds are wanting to know, mine anyhow...

Good Luck..

Rod

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Sorry, but I didn't take any photos of the lamnation process. I used 3 pieces of 53" x 7.5" plywood, two 3/4" and one 5/8" for the center piece. I used Titebond II, but didn't use any clamps. I placed the layers of plywood between two larger pieces of thick plywood and then placed 500-600 hundred pounds of weights on top of the stack for 4-6 hours. I waited until the next day to remove the excess glue and square up the blanks.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

I made my template and router jig for the barrel/action channel today on my day off. Next I'll transfer the template to all blanks and start cutting out all the barrel/action channels. Since a 1 1/8" barrel is about the smallest diameter I ever use I'm cutting to a depth of 5/8" with a 1 1/4" round router bit. I will have to open up the action area slightly, since the Savage Target Actions are 1.3". I also have one barreled action that has a 1.35" barrel, so that will have to be opened up along the entire length. I will probably run a 1" flat bottom bit down the length, except for the first and last 2" of the stock. This will ensure the barrel is free floating and make the action bedding easier when I get to it. It will also make it easier to open up any areas that need it.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Eventhough I was thrilled with the way my first stock came out, please remember that I don't do this for a living nor am I a professional wood worker or stock maker. I'm just an average "do it yourself-er" with a little too much time on my hands tinkering down in my basement.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

I finished cutting out the barrel/action channels today and did all the basic table saw and band saw cuts. Cutting the zebra wood was like cutting rock. Pretty sure one of my router bits is history now. No big deal though. I only paid $12 for the bit anyway.

Next step will be to cutout the grip with a 2" round router bit.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Started cutting the pistol grips today. I was busy working on my dust recovery, so I didn't have a chance to do much with the stocks before today.

I'm going to pull 2 of the blanks out of the batch, due to problems encountered while cutting the grips. One was cause by my stupidity, lined up the jig on an erroneous pencil line on the stock, and the other because the jig slipped during the cutting process. I clamped it much tighter after that.

I still have to cut the pistol grips on the zebra wood stocks. That should be interesting. That wood is very hard.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

I finished all the heavy router work today on all the stocks. The pistol grip cutout was the toughest. It took a lot of time to make sure both sides of the cut lined up properly and I had to make numerous passes with the router to get to the proper depth, especially with the zebra wood. That wood is tough!

Next step will be to start smoothing out the shaping and to do a rough sanding. After that I will cut the taper on the bottom of the butt and then glue the additional wood to the forearm to achieve a 3 1/2"-4" forearm.

Enough for today. Time to take the "Old Bird" out to dinner and a few beers.

 

[KT]

Re: Lots of new photos - Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Very cool man. I can't wait to see the finished product.

I actually had my Navy Chief's box made out of Zebra Wood when I was in Cape Town, South Africa. Wait till you get a finish on it will look awesome.

I will take a picture of it tonight and post it up for you.

KT

 

[KT]

Re: Lots of new photos - Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

The zebra box I had built!

 

[KT]

Re: Lots of new photos - Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Other side.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Lots of new photos - Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing those photos. I haven't been feeling well, so I haven't had a chance to do anymore work on the stock. Hopefully next week.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Some new photos - Decided to start another batch of rifle stocks.

I started to cut the butt angles and shape and sand the grip area.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the zebra wood is going to work out. It has warped slightly and may not be usable. I'm a little bummed, but it's all good. I might purchase some more and try doing things a little differently. I'll laminate 2 thicker pieces, making sure to fold it over on itself, and leave it oversized. After 3-6 months I will have it planed and sanded down to 2". I really love the look of the zebra wood, but if it's not going to be stabile enough I might try something else.

 

[sparky123321]

Zebra wood stocks ready for additional forearm wood.

Cut the butt angles on the 2nd zebra wood stock today and finished most of the sanding and shaping. They're ready to have the additional wood for the forearms glued on at this time. I'm hoping to finish that later today.

 

[StevenDzupin]

Re: Zebra wood stocks ready for additional forearm wood.

Very nice work !!

May I suggest if you use any glue that contains water in the mix,

let your work sit for several months,the longer the better.

As the work absorbes and then releases moisture over time you'll

see the gluelines show more and more.

This is especially prevelant on boxes that use finger joints or

Dovetails but pertains to all glue joinery.


Do wear a good dust mask as Zebrawood dust is a bit toxic!

Regards,

Steve

 

[sparky123321]

Re: Zebra wood stocks ready for additional forearm wood.

I appreciate the advice. I will probably let them sit for a while, fill any voids, do a final sanding and then finish the stock.

 

[sparky123321]

Re: The first zebra wood stock is almost done. More photos.

Did a little more work yesterday and this morning. The first zebra wood stock is almost done. I still need to open up the barrel/action channel a little bit more and then do final shaping of the tang area. After that I'll drill the hole for the rear action screw, for proper alignment, and bed the action. Then I'll inlet the trigger guard, trigger area, bolt opening and finish the stock.

All I can say is that zebra wood is some tough, tough, tough wood to work with!

 

[RonS]

Re: The first zebra wood stock is almost done. More photos.

sparky, it may be some really tough wood but it looks good even unfinished. There's nothing like a natural satin finish to bring out the beauty of the wood. I have been looking for someone to build a stock for me out of zebra wood for years. Good luck with the finished product. What action, barrel and caliber will it be when completed? I'm like a kid I can't wait.....

Ron

 

[sparky123321]

Re: The first zebra wood stock is almost done. More photos.

Thanks, Ron. I'm really getting excited at this point. I was just down the basement spaying a satin finish on a piece of scrap to see how it looks. It looks $#@%ing awesome!

I'll probably do 4-6 coats and allow it to dry for 72 hours, wet sand and then do another 2-3 top coats. If need be I'll even do another wet sanding and a couple more top coats.