You will need a fine single line cutter, a short cutter, and a magnifier hood; recommended - a jointer may prove useful and a carbide cutter works some places. A vise or stock holding fixture that has a lot of adjustments and is bedrock solid will be needed - don't even consider trying to hold the stock with one hand while you cut with the other. You will also need a strong "point source" light (high intensity or similar - never a floresecnt tube) that can be moved into various positions that will sidelight the checkering in a section. This throws one side into deep shadow so you can really see the lines. Patience - mucho patience and care going forward. If you can't/won't get these things and do it this way, then don't do it at all. It isn't hard. The most common mistakes are to try to hand hold without magnification and/or sidelight and to shortchange the tools. Oh, yeah, you can fix al/most misteaks without undue trouble as long as you catch them early. Don't be surprised to find misteaks already in the patern, too.
