doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How do I get started checkering?

I find checkering to be the most satisfying aspect of gunstock work, when I see the finished product in my hands. Getting there can be somewhat frustrating but the reward accomplishment wise is worth the effort. It's not for all but all should at least try you never know till you try if it's your cup of tea. I would personally recommend that one starting out re-do an old checkered stock just to appreciate the mechanics of the work. Keeping the lines straight around curves and holding the tools at right angles to the surface of the curves is the trick that needs some practise. Just to add, most of tools are set to cut on the pull. --- John Can.

Hey Rabbit

Checkering is satisfying until you look at your earlier work and realize that you have to redo all of it: "How did I let this leave the shop?"

I started with the Dembart tools, moved to the Camp Perry set from Brownells which I believe is excellent for most jobs.
You will simply pick up different cutters when you find that the ones that you have aren't doing what you would like them to.

Riffling files are always useful and a cradle is a necessity as shown earlier in the post.

I get down to the Outer Banks on vacation each summer and I will often bring a piece of work with me. Break out the swivel vice, clamp the work onto a picnic table and something that I have been avoiding gets done during the course of the week

Mike C.
After a line is roughed with one of the really agressive cutters (from the above set) I usually use more than cutter to finish it. Some push, some pull depending where I am on the pattern. Pull is probably the best way but not always convenient.

Some time back someone posted some shop built cutters that bordered on art. Way beyond my level of experience and definately from someone who knew what they needed for the job.

Good luck

Tom

Tom, If you are driving south on US 95 when going to the OB, you will have to take 64 east . I live right off 64 & would be happy to have you as a guest if you'd like to take a rest break & visit. Boone Berlin (stockmaker)lives on the same block so you could meet & visit him too.

As a matter of fact, anyone traveling this way are welcome to stop by to rest & visit --- just drop me a note or call. Ken

Bill:

Thanks. The wood is a graduation present from some friends that cut wood in CA, and is one of the most perfect blanks I have ever seen. Mr. Mann has kindly consented to turn it into a handle for a Creedmoor rifle, in spite of the fact that it is lowly Juglans nigra. Imagine what it will look like when he is done!

Mr. Hall:

Sitting at a picnic table on the Outer Banks and checkering a stock! I can't imagine it gets much better than that...

Glenn

Tom, I'll keep your critical self-judgment in mind if I ever produce any "work". Glad I have limited ambition; won't have to squint as long initially and then squint again at my own painful shortcomings down the road. I just want some workaday nonskid. JC sent me a pic of a narrow riffler or float made out of a power hacksaw blade by Geno. I'm about ready to make one of those Monday and just start checkering. Don't need no stinkin tools! Thanks for the hints, fellows. I'll give some thought to whether I can do everything I need to with one carbide bit and the Brownell handle.

jack