Section 2 of Stockmaking just wrapped up and you can see the results. Students from Oklahoma, Colorado, Canada, California, Florida and Wyoming brought pre-inlet walnut blanks and we shaped them with hand tools(I made the band saw cuts) for 1909 Argentines in 6.5X55, 284 and 270; Model 70s in 338-06 and .30-06 and a Fred Wells left hand Magnum Mauser in 416. Students learned to design and proportion the stocks to themselves and the appropriate caliber.
Classes for 2016 will probably include Intro To Custom Gunmaking and Small Shop Bluing and Metal Finishing. Info on 2015 classes and contacts for prospective students at my web site.
Best ~~ Steven (photos by Warren Mabie)

Section 2: September 2015 Students L-R:Returning student James Pimetel, TJ Sanders (Wells Magnum), SDH, Metalsmith Nick Hughes and Eric Dehn ACGG Ex. Assistant. Foreground: Gunshop Dog Stella

Nice work!

This is awesome that folks get a chance to learn either for their own benefit or for their profession.

How many of the students were doing it for enjoyment (doing their own stocks)?

Very nice!

AH- I know what you meant with your question, but I'll bet they're all in it for the enjoyment. I know I would be. Darn nice when you can look at work like that and be proud to say "I did that!"

Some true craftsmen!

As far as I know each of the students built their rifle to keep and shoot. Past students have taken deer and pronghorn with rifles built in class.
It is great fun all around.
Contact me through my web site to get on the list for next years Seminars.
SDH

Looks like it was a great seminar, wish I could have been there.

You are surely welcome back Evan!

Next summer I will probably offer either Intro to Stockmaking: Inletting or Stocking from the Blank. I'm also planning: Small Shop Metal Preparation, Polishing and Bluing.
Students will bring some pre-polished parts to rust and nitre blue and we will properly hand polish rifle actions in class for bluing or case coloring.
(Evan: Would you please email me photos of your custom rifle and a dead deer?)

Looks like a hell of an opportunity to learn from a pro.
Looks like fun too!

Ya know, I would love to do this and as a recent retiree my company would fund it as "settling down time" via my pension plan (sorry Sr. Big Oil guy here). I love working with my hands learning from my dear Father, a fine cabinet builder for 50+ years but just do not see me being as passionate as I need be as it would "just" be a hobby for me? Thoughts appreciated.

Wasn't it Clint Eastwood who said that "a man has got to know his own limitations".
Sounds like you know yours, so don't do it.

These Seminars are definitely not for everyone~

Jim's 6.5x55 Mauser shaped from the blank in the September Seminar nearing completion.

Very nice!

I have those S&K bases on order.

Did he weld them on as well? To make them "integral"?

Yes... "Let's just say a friend of mine welded them after annealing followed by re-heatreating".

Didn't I see Nick Hughes working on a stock. Young man is quite a craftsmen He is very very good on 1917 Enfields.

Very nice!

I have started a list of potential students for next years Seminars (June and September 2016). Potential subjects include: Small Shop Bluing, Browning and Professional Metal preparation; Introduction to Stockmaking- Custom Rifles; or Stockmaking From the Blank. Subjects chosen by student interest.
Please drop me a note at my web address if you are interested.
Thanks,
SDH

quote:

Originally posted by SDH:
These Seminars are definitely not for everyone~

Jim's 6.5x55 Mauser shaped from the blank in the September Seminar nearing completion.

I want to ask a question about the scope bases on this rifle. Specifically, whether they are welded on. I think they look great, but I have seen on this board numerous times where people who "are in the know" say that one should not weld on the front ring on actions. Is that true or not? And are those bases custom made or can they be purchased somewhere?

Well, I ve had square bridges welded to mauser front and rear rings. They were annealed and recased after by Pac Met I believe. Properly done by a competent smith and heat treat facility should cause no problems. I have not had it done on any other receivers.

Looking at the mass of that front square bridge, I doubt it is any weaker than the large dovetail that Mauser often milled into the front ring.

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:

quote:

Originally posted by SDH:
These Seminars are definitely not for everyone~

Jim's 6.5x55 Mauser shaped from the blank in the September Seminar nearing completion.

I want to ask a question about the scope bases on this rifle. Specifically, whether they are welded on. I think they look great, but I have seen on this board numerous times where people who "are in the know" say that one should not weld on the front ring on actions. Is that true or not? And are those bases custom made or can they be purchased somewhere?

What rings are going in these bases?

Most likely S&K own rings.

http://www.scopemounts.com/index.html?main.html