Replies

1. 
   Steinmetz | Apr 24, 2006 07:13am | #1

   I once visited the Springfield Armory in Springfield Mass.

   They have one of the first lathes made to duplicate gun stocks. Picture a wood lathe with two sets of centers positioned parallel to each other but, say, 9 inches apart.
   A rough walnut blank, which was bandsawn (oversize)is centered on the "Aft'set of revolving centers

   The 'template',(which is a finished gunstock)is fixtured to the 'fore' set of centers. The combination index- cutter is made to ride on the surface of the template (Which has a ball roller)and extends across to carve the blank using the skew shaped cutter end.

   Of course, the two driving spindles are chain driven together, so as to have the template and the work rotate in 'SYNC'.

   Nowadays, they are run off with gang CNC routers

   Works like a key machine duplicator.
   Steinmetz.

   
   

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   Edited 4/24/2006 12:15 am ET by Steinmetz

2. 
   Troy | Apr 24, 2006 08:27am | #2

   Take a look at a company called Brownells they have a huge catolog for gunsmiths that has all of the tools for stock making as well as books that might be of help. I think their website is brownells.com

   Have fun

   Troy

3. 
   joinerswork | Apr 24, 2006 02:58pm | #3

   Repairman,

   Stockmaking is or can be pretty involved.  Length of pull, drop, and cast-off are all important to the fit of a stock to user.  Brownells, or the NRA website will likely have a book or two on the subject.  Numrich Arms, or Midway both have a selection of replacement stocks, and stock blanks for many modern and an older guns.  If you are looking to shoot clay birds and  not make a wall hanger, I'd think some research on the topic would be time well spent.  I met a skeet shooter a while back who had modified the length of pull on his win '97 pump by adding a sheet of cardboard between stock and buttplate.  He said it made all the difference in the way it came up and met his shoulder.  Little changes can make a big difference.

   Regards,

   Ray Pine

4. 
   pzgren | Apr 24, 2006 07:02pm | #4

   This site has a nice selection of checkering tools:

   http://www.gunline.com/index2.html

   Good luck with your project; it sound like fun.

   James