Anyone tried checkering a Ruger laminated stock? How did it go?
Thanks

I checkered a laminated stock a long time ago. Did not work. The glue lines raise serious hell with the checkering tools. That was the last one I did.

A power checkering head works just fine, doesn't plug up like the hand tools.

I have checkered about 1/2dozen laminated stocks and the word is care. When using a power checkering tool you can get carbite cutter wheels for them and they make quick work of the glue lines. I'am left handed and the wheel seems to always be in my line of sight so I checker by hand. I use Brownell Fullview cutters for layout and Dembart cutters to pointup with. The Brownell's can be resharpened, the Dembarts are disposable. Keep your cutters sharp. Dull cutters cause run overs and tire your fingers.

Use a little Hot Stuff glue, the watery mix, while you checker and the diamonds will not pop off.

A trick I learned from Belk when checkering California cork wood (Claro, black etc.) I can checker Claro as fine as you please with that stuff...so I tried it on a laminated stock and bingo it worked.

Use a little Hot Stuff glue, the watery mix, while you checker and the diamonds will not pop off.

A trick I learned from Belk when checkering California cork wood (Claro, black etc.) I can checker Claro as fine as you please with that stuff...so I tried it on a laminated stock and bingo it worked.

Take a few cuts and now the checkering looks like Old Bens cotton patch, you know, all fuzzy and funky, soak it down with Hot stuff and let dry a bit, then continue checkering and it will shine like Obies knob and be harder n Woodpecker lips. Keep replenishing lightly as you checker..

Thanks guys,

from the sound of it, I'd probably br better off buying a synthetic stock! I will do this, and have a go at checkering the (laminated) stock as and when I get the time. I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks again,
rugeruser