doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Checkering Cradle Head and Tail Stock

Long post:

I have made a lot of progress on the cradle and, although I may make some changes to the head stock design, I'm pleased with the results so far. Here's what I've done:

The 'bed' is made of 1x3 oak purchased from home Depot. the rails are 4' long with short spacers glued at each end:



A mortise is made by gluing in an 11" spacer 2 1/2 inches in front of the head stock spacer.



The head stock slots in



The head and tail stocks are made of the same 1x3 oak laminated with the middle board just under 2 1/2 inches longer than the shoulders to create a tenon that is just shy of the depth of the mortise. This allows the stock to be locked in place with a washered bolt.

The bottom of the tenon was drilled and a hardwood 1/4" threaded insert (ez-lock) was installed.


The allows the head stock to be removed of necessary (using a wrench), and the tail stock can slide along the bed.

A cabinet pull knob was tapped for 1/4" and a short length of screw inserted. This allows easier, tool-free adjustment of space between centers: