Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Mar 13, 2008 12:17am | #1

   Hi Aero.

   I'm not really familiar with the concept of checkering on a gun stock. You wouldn't happen to have a photo you can post here or a link to a Web site with photos?

   I did a quick google search on the phrase "checker gun stock" and I found this site that sells a carving tool set and book specifically for checkering a gunstock.

   Not knowing what a checkering pattern looks like up close it's hard for me to speculate on the techniques, but I would bet that it's essentially a low-relief carving with veneer inlay. If that's the case, I can point you to a few good article on our site that detail cutting veneers and using carving tools for low-relief carving.

   Write back and let me know.

   Thanks, Matt Berger

1. 
   Aero | Mar 14, 2008 04:19pm | #3

   Matt, thanks for your attention. I'm not very computer savvy, but I am going to try and send you a photo of the type of carving I am speaking of. In the photo, the Checkering I am reffering to is the very fine diamond cut reliefs on the forend of the gun. I am familiar with chip carving, but due to the small size of the  carvings and that they are in such a pefect geometric alignment, I feel that there must be some layout/pattern used. I  cant believe (perhaps mistakenly) that these designs were cut freehand with out a pattern, especially since the more checkering and fineness of the cuts adds significantly to

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   View Image the cost of a gun. Once again, thanks for your help. HJB

1. 
   MBerger | Mar 14, 2008 05:11pm | #4

   Great photo. Now I know what you're talking about! I was just a kid the last time I went out with a riffle. I was pheasant hunting with my brothers, shot a bird, stuffed it in the back pocket of my vest for the walk back to the car, and the bird came back to life on me! I never got over that.

   I digress...

   The link I sent to you (also below) sells the tools and instructions for cutting the checkered pattern on a gun stock. It looks like you have to buy an $80 kit. Below are the contents, copied from the Web site:

   "This set contains the six basic tools ... available in either 18 or 20 lines per inch.  (Other line per inch sizes are special order items.)   Included are the following:

   - C1 - Coarse. Coarse layout cutter - Used for original pattern layout and deepening the rows after they are marked in. -C1 - Fine. Fine layout cutter - Used for original pattern layout and deepening the rows after they are marked in and the final finishing. - #2.  Double cutter - Used to "even-up" the diamonds to assure an even pattern.- #3.  Left spacing cutter - Cuts new rows, has two blades but the right one is smooth and is used as a guide to assure even spacing. - #4. Right spacing cutter - A mirror image of the left hand cutter. - S1. Short curve cutter - Makes short work of tight corners and small areas.- This set is a complete package of everything you need to get started checkering.

   I'd recommend you get the book to go along with it.

   LINK: http://www.fandfwoodcarving.com/checkering_tools.htm

   - Matt

    

1. 
   Aero | Mar 19, 2008 04:08pm | #6

   Thanks Matt. I will get the tools and get started right away! What a great website you have. I am also an avid hunter and I can relate to your pheasant story. As a matter of fact I was hunting when the idea to incorporate checkering into my woodworking occurred to me. (If it looks this good on my gun, why wouldn't it look good on one of my projects?). I have a black lab who is just as at home snoozing under my bench amidst the wood shavings as she is in the field - my "shop assistant". Thanks again. HJB.

2. 
   saschafer | Mar 13, 2008 12:28am | #2

   There are a couple of gunsmiths over on the Knots forums. You might be able to get some info by asking your question there.

   -Steve

    

3. 
   sierramtns | Mar 18, 2008 07:39pm | #5

   Try http://www.brownells.com they are one of the largets gunsmithing on-line stores.

1. 
   Aero | Mar 19, 2008 04:09pm | #7

   Thanks for the info. I will check out this site as well.