doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Checkering clean up before oil

I am part way through a refinish project on a Remington 700 with machine cut checkering. The stock was stripped and the checkering cleaned out with brushes, etc., which left lines that look pretty rough.

I intended to freshen the checkering after the finish is complete, but should I be cleaning up these lines a little before starting in with red oil?

Jim, do you intend to keep the "skip line" checkering? If not, it may be better to change it before hand and go across the whole pattern to make sure the spacing is even. I had one changed over and it was noticeable.
Mike

I havent totally decided about the skip lines. I don't really like them, but I've worried that the spacing might be difficult to get just right. If I can space things correctly, I would prefer to get rid of the skips and also add a border

If the skip line pattern doesn't allow for a nice clean up w/o noticeable wide and narrow lines ,,
You could relieve the checkering that is there. I'd probably keep the orig borders as they look quite deep.
Removing the skip-impressed checkering goes pretty fast with sharp chisels and scrapers.

Then cut a whole new pattern in the relieved area. That sort of checkering with a relieved edge at the border or the entire pattern area taken down makes for a nice look IMO.

The only thing to watch is not to make the checkered area too deep of a relief. That may make the whole idea no-go on this checkering outing as you may have to go too deep to remove the orig checkering.

Most every recut over impressed skip line checkering leaves some evidence behind.

If there is chance that the stock itself could use a slim down, and most factory stocks are good candidates,,then I'd slim the entire stock down to remove the impressed checkering and re-checker with anything that you like.

More Work!

Thanks Kutter.

I'm surprised to find that the machine cut spacing is not perfectly consistent. but I've measured it at 20 lpi and it seems to be working to divide the skip lines well enough.

I was able to split all of the skip lines, although some of the factory lines were bad/shallow enough that they were a little hard to follow. And some of the skips were definitely more narrow, so I used a 22 lpi on one that was clearly too narrow for the 20 lpi tool.

Overall, I'm pleased with the result. My plan is to proceed with sanding and finishing,then frehen all the checkering once there is some finish on the panels so that the diamonds aren't so crumbly.

Looks great, Woodreaux. I’m impressed!

Jim,
Maybe if you "gingerly" apply your "finish of choice" to the checkering, lightly brushed with a fiber brush and let it harden well, it will help with the "crumbly" problem.
Mike

I was thinking I would apply red oil first, then 1-2 very light, thinned coats of slacum brushed out as you suggested. Let it harden while I apply slacum to the rest of the stock over the next month or so, then touch up the checkering at that point. probably with another thinned application of oil after the diamonds are pointed up +/- a mullered or beaded border.

Seem reasonable?