I have come into some very pretty wild cherry wood. I think I want to try and make a stock. I'm going to start with a revolver and the if that works out I'll move to a rifle stock. Any advice will be greatly appericated.

start with a rifle. read this thread for inspiration.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...043/m/4711078031/p/1

Problem is that thread makes it look stupid easy

Make sure the wood has been properly dried and is stable. Use high quality sharp tools. Read books on stock making, get help and work methodically.

quote:

Originally posted by kcstott:
Problem is that thread makes it look stupid easy

It's not? Now you tell me!

Oh yeah, the stupid easy Les Brooks thread. Heck, you don't even need any power tools except for a hand drill.

A piece of cake guys!!! I see some may have read the post above on making a stock. It's not hard to do just get started and cut away all wood that doesn't look like a stock. That's My Way.

Your blank needs to be about 2 1/4 inches wide to have a cheek piece. I think I covered most info needed to make the stock.

I didn't know that so many people were interested in my stock project. Over 15,000 views!! Maybe I can finish it and post the final picture before too much longer. Some have posted thanking me for posting with pictures.

Good luck on your stock projects,

Les

quote:

Originally posted by clowdis:
Oh yeah, the stupid easy Les Brooks thread. Heck, you don't even need any power tools except for a hand drill.

And a pickup truck.

I am a lowly home stockmaking hack. I have done a couple from a blank that turned out pretty good. I would suggest that you first buy a cheap "throw away" blank off ebay and try to see what you can do before you cut on that good piece of cherry. I know my first one from a blank was frankly UGLY, but invaluable in the education.

The only other thing I would say is to have patience and you should be fine. You can not put wood back, so go slowly!

It IS simple! I build 90% of mine just as Les does, with a few minor variations. I use a hand-held drill motor, a cross-cut hand saw and, when a drawbolt is necessary, a lathe to drill the drawbolt hole. No other power tools necessary although a drill press is handy sometimes and I've been known to ask a friend to bandsaw my blank's outline on a few occasions.

Make a full-size drawing first, in fact make several of them with different stock styles and shapes for comparison. I first draw an outline of the barreled action, full-size in ink, tracing the outlines of the steel closely and following the lines faithfully. Then add the stock outline(s) in pencil and adjust to suit your idea of 'attractive'. When settled on a style, it's a simple matter to transfer the drawing to the stock blank and cut it out.

Of course it's a lot easier when you're on your 10th one instead of your first one, and by the time you've done 20 then it's almost second nature.....
Regards, Joe

I'm so glad to get so many replies. I'll be starting real soon I hope to take some pictures along the way.I should be able to get several good blanks from the cherry stump. I will probly start with a pine blank first. That sould go pretty quick. I also have a water oak coming down soon to saw some blanks from. I figured on cut them 3" by 7" by 36". That will give me the option of a very wide beaver tail on the forearm. I have plenty of time (God willing) so I can try, try and try agin until I get it right with the pine and them it is on to the good stuff.

I envy you finding a piece of figured cherry. I have used walnut, maple, myrtle and cherry over the years, and cherry is by far my favorite. Hard to find a nice piece too.

quote:

Originally posted by mdvjrp93:
I'm so glad to get so many replies. I'll be starting real soon I hope to take some pictures along the way.I should be able to get several good blanks from the cherry stump. I will probly start with a pine blank first. That sould go pretty quick. I also have a water oak coming down soon to saw some blanks from. I figured on cut them 3" by 7" by 36". That will give me the option of a very wide beaver tail on the forearm. I have plenty of time (God willing) so I can try, try and try agin until I get it right with the pine and them it is on to the good stuff.

Pine and oak don't make good stock blanks. The cherry will need a couple of years to dry once cut.

Your first stock is bound to be a train wreck, but I disagree about using a cheap blank for your first stock. The work takes so much time and focus that I believe most would begin trying to cut corners(and ruin the stock) if they didn't value the blank.

I was just using the pine and oak to pratcice carving not to make a usable stock. I have still got to go and pick up the wood. I really do appericate the advise.