The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Gunsmithing Is there someone in Southwest Idaho....?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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Who can at least do a good job of grinding a but pad to fit? If not, is there someone I can mail my stocks to who does an impeccable job of installation for a fair price?  | ||
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Jim Kobe did one for me. I just mailed the stock to him. ------------------------------- Some Pictures from Namibia Some Pictures from Zimbabwe An Elephant Story | |||
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I would think that a guy that can do surgery should be able to - with the right tools - do it himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpR_yA0UVc4 | |||
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Lawndart I like Jeff Thompson at Allison & Carey Gun Works, Inc. in Portland, Or. 503-256-5166. He has done some of our custom rifles. He is a pad expert and very reasonable considering his quality work. Good luck. Dave | |||
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Call Roger Eubanks in Homedale, ID. He is a high end shotgun guy. Mike Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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I may have to buy the tools.  I can get a Delta Disc sander for the cost of two pad jobs from Jim. | |||
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I know Roger very well. I had a medical practice in Homedale for ten years. Dropped off a Benelli for some simple armorer type work. Went back a year later, it was just gathering dust. | |||
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I will give him a call. Thanks for the lead. | |||
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LOL | |||
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I would send it to John Farner (Toomany Tools) in New Mexico. He does impeccable work at a reasonable price and in a timely fashion. I just sent him one to do since my shop is down right now and I got it back in a week looking perfect. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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Jim Combe out by the cheese factory in Nampa. Elite rifleworks is the name, I think. | |||
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I'm checking all venues for price, and quality. Is it just me being cheap, or is $120.00 a bit high for one pad, and grinding.  | |||
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I'll check with Jim Combe, as well. I drive that way on occasion. | |||
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I saw a guy on another forum recently complaining that $65 to install a pad was highway robbery. $120 for a pad installed correctly and without marring the existing finish will seem like a bargain when that $65 job comes back all fubar! Best advice is to ask to see examples of pads that have been installed. Then judge for yourself whether the quoted price seems commensurate.  Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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That is not too bad. Also check to see if that includes return shipping. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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FWIW, the pad cost btwn $26-$32 (not the retail price) to the grinder. The pad takes about 1-1.5 hrs. to do well. Yes, others do it faster...you get what you pay for. $120 for both the pad and the job done well is a bargain. I charge $135 for the service. A well done pad IMO: is flush to the wood. Toe and the heel are in line with the top and bottom of the stock. Base of the pad is polished to 600 and there is no step between the rubber and the base. Any scratches in the base go around the pad...not across it. There is no damage to the original finish. Pad is clean of all residue from the sanding. The days of the 20 minute job using 100/220 grit on the sander being the standard has passed. Quality expectations have grown over time. The quality of the material to be ground....has not. Dennis Earl Smith Professional Member ACGG Benefactor Life NRA Life NAHC | |||
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I know one profession that not only charges more than that for a quick ten minute visit, but makes you wait an hour to do it! | |||
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Then...As 135.00, takes a lot of recoil pad jobs to pay for the tooling and supplies to do a proper job IF (Big IF) the guy has the talent in the first place. No...you don't attach a disc sander to a hand drill! Dennis puts a coat of wax on the stock and stops sanding when he hits the wax. | |||
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I don't necessarily agree that quality always equates with price. Somebody that charges $50 for the job may be just as capable and do just as good a job as somebody who charges $200. A lot has to do with perception and supply and demand, and time. For sure, if you are in a hurry you are going to pay more. If you have been convinced that one person does a better job than another person and the extra money is worth it you are going to pay more. In certain areas of town you will pay more. You will pay more for those who have "more" experience, most of the time, but not always. And sometimes it will be true that you get a better job that way, but not always. A lot of it has to do with pride of craftsmanship no matter what is being done. As a medical professional you might charge $500 for a certain procedure. And you might charge somebody else $200 for the same procedure. I'd bet a dollar to a donut you would do the same quality job on each patient. I know many lawyers who charge $450 an hour for the same thing that I often do for free to help poor and disadvantaged people. Same quality, same thing~  | |||
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Okay, now I know that $120.00 is the going rate, I know that is the going rate. Don't shoot me for being ignorant. That is why I asked the question.
As far as the swipe at me for being a doctor, before I had to retire from a total disability, I spent my last ten years as the only doctor in Idaho's poorest county. Instead of taking insurance, I charged $50.00 cash per half hour of work, Another Arizona Writer. Fortunately, I had already paid for the $150,00.00 in Equipment, and the eight years of post college training living on a pittance. I also made hundreds of house calls late at night. I hear that is going out of style. Everyone got world class medical service from me. I felt a calling to practice where I did, and to charge what the people could afford after all the fires burned out the summer pastures. I live on a $24,000.00 per year military pension because other doctors have gotten everything else. I don't complain about that. It is just how things turned out. I have never let my actions be dictated by a desire to get quality work for a low ball price. I have bought goods and services, some as recently as last week from people on this very post; and without a bit of complaint about the price. Don't you think that comment is a bit gratuitous, and beneath you, Duane? Was that a taunt for me being one of the hoi polloi? I'm sorry Mike, I don't recall ever complaing that $65.00 was too much. How about a "Yeah, Charlie, $120.00 is the going rate."? larrys, lindy2, thank you for your comments. They were helpful, and right on point. | |||
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I recall a sign that said FAST GOOD CHEAP Pick two; But in reality, I think Pick One is more accurate. | |||
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I agree with you on that, Ray B. I came across a sign that said Medicine, Flying, Marriage; pick two. Didn't get married until my forties. Another sign said; sex & flying, or alcohol; make your choice. I never chose alcohol. | |||
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Charlie, Please don't lump me in with the rest. I guess you would have had to have read the post to really appreciate my comment. The guy was saying that he could buy a harbor freight sander and do it himself for that price. Is $120 the going rate? I dunno, I only charged $65 which is why I suggested having a look to see for yourself the quality. I was sort of implying what Lindy said. But I'll try to limit my future input to perhaps yes and no answers so as to avoid having my comments misconstrued. Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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I apologize Mike. I was seeing red by then. I see now that you were saying what lindy was saying. I'm calmer now, so please don't limit your answers. | |||
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Lets say a 60 dollar shop rate starting from the time you receive it to taking old pad off. Installing the new one preparing the stock ect then doing the grinding add all the time it takes. 120 sounds about right if some one wants to work for less more power to them. Or you can buy the grinder set it up dink around doing it your self I bet you have a min . of 3 hours maybe 4. What your time worth. | |||
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Yup and then add in the time it takes to pack it back up and drive it to the shipper, or if you screw it up and have to add another pad to it, or, or, Jim Kobe 10841 Oxborough Ave So Bloomington MN 55437 952.884.6031 Professional member American Custom Gunmakers Guild | |||
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More than likely most people who would do this job their self would not take time off from their job to do it so it really isn't a comparison. People may be willing to exchange their valuable free time to do something for their self that - if they do a decent job - they can be proud of and show off to their buddies out at the hunting shack or on the next hunting or shooting trip. We don't usually ask whether its worth our time to load a box of cartridges, or train the dog, or butcher the deer, or watch TV at night, and so on. Everyone will place their own subjective value on such a project. And its probably just as much about confidence in being able to do a decent job as it is about money, except perhaps for those earning a minimum wage or retired on a fixed social security or small pension income. | |||
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Okay, the going rate is $120-$135, especially for folks who only do it on complete custom rifle jobs. From replies from general gunsmiths, it seems to run from $75-$120. That answers the question I had. Skill will vary, roughly with, with cost. Time to start saving. Thank you all. | |||
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I am not a gunsmith. I have made a few stocks and installed pads on most of them and done a few pads for friends. I wouldn't do it for $65.00. There is too much risk, unless you have the correct tools it can be difficult and the quality of the job low. I think $120 for a good pad on a high end gun is a steal. If the pad was furnished for that price I'd have to back in to pick it up. | |||
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Acutally Duane.....it is masking tape! And I grind the pads off the stock using either one of two pad grinding jigs I have purchased in order to do the job. I use the tape to keep the final processes of dressing down the pad from damaging the stock. I only grind a pad on the stock when I am building a new stock for a client. Dennis Earl Smith Professional Member ACGG Benefactor Life NRA Life NAHC | |||
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I decided to put up. Just bought a sander, and a jig. If I can put faces back together from chainsaw bites, I better be able to grind a pad. Will post pictures. | |||
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Have fun and post some pictures when your done. | |||
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Congratulations on your decision. If you want or need help give me a call. Always willing to serve. Information is still free at my shop. 541-483-2182. Thank you for serving our country. Without those who have served, I believe the craft I use/enjoy would be history. Dennis Earl Smith Dennis Earl Smith Professional Member ACGG Benefactor Life NRA Life NAHC | |||
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Lawndart If you use those hands/fingers to put chainsaw bite back together, they may be too valuable to be used for grinding/sanding. Jus Sayin. Don't limit your challenges . . . Challenge your limits | |||
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Dennis, thank you for your kind words. Serving our country and/or other people has been the greatest privilege of my life. TC, Thanks for the words of caution. I think I will wear kevlar gloves, and be vewy, vewy careful around the Chop saw. The 100 tooth blade, when used with masking tape, makes for a splinter free cut. (Hopefully not through my wrist). | |||
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