Stockmaker show and tell

27 November 2018, 16:38

LesBrooks

I see that the photo site Hunt101.com went down and all the pictures of this project are not showing. I saved the pictures on my own PC so they are available. The site owner says it will be back up, but I don't know when this will show up again. My pictures are on the DVD or USB if anyone want the complete files.

Which site is the best place to put pictures for this AR forum?

Thanks,

Les

20 December 2018, 20:15

lindy2

Mr. Brooks

You could try this one.

https://postimages.org/

14 January 2019, 17:28

LesBrooks

Without pictures to show how this project developed I will ask for the project to end.

Thanks to all that may have followed this article. I hope it has helped!!!

Les Brooks, retired gunsmith

14 January 2020, 19:20

LesBrooks

quote:
Originally posted by LesBrooks:
The purpose of making a stock without power tools is for a few people wanting to know how some of us have make stock in the past. Everyone has to start somewhere to learn and then they can add knowledge to their skills from all of us that have made this trade our income for many years. TSJC class of ‘63
Some people will have a different opinions on how to make a stock, but I will try to explain my method of approach. Dimensions, shapes, styles, and types of wood are the choice of the person wanting a custom stock. I have made all styles of custom stocks to please the customer. This AR gunsmithing forum seems to like only classic styles. Mr Roy Weatherby probably made more money than anyone that has started a gun company in the custom field. You may not like his style of stocks, but he had the best BS going to convince a customer to buy his guns. It kept us alive working on his styles of the ’50’s and ’60’s.
The AR gunsmithing forum has some very good craftsman showing their work. I am not active in a business nor am I wanting to advertise for any work. I retired a few years ago and do not wish to become active again. The stock which I will show is for my use and it is the LAST STOCK which I will attempt to make. This started out with me winning a barrel from Kreiger at TSJC at our 60th anniversary. I wanted another light varmint rifle to carry in the field. The 204 Ruger looked real good for long range from the reports I read on the AR forums. Bought the wood from Charles Grace and found a mini Mauser rifle in south Texas for the project. Now lets get started

15 January 2020, 04:49

Jkinpa

Just read this entire thread. Even without the pictures, it’s truly educational and inspirational.

In the process of building a workbench for my own use. The pictures above are being used as a guide.

Thank you, sir!

15 January 2020, 05:02

LesBrooks

I was trying to see if I could repost and put new pictures for the thread to be complete again.

Jeffrey the USB I sent to you will have all of the pictures to view like they were in the first time around. I took out all of the people asking questions on the original postings and tried to make the write up so people could understand the process of making a stock.

I was trying to find the original 6 pages and tried adding a picture today from a different hosting site. Hope I helped you and if you like what you see tell others.

16 February 2020, 02:49

PWS

Just wanted to bump this up and let everybody know that Les still has USBs and DVDs available. He just sent me a copy this past week and would love to share his information with budding stockmakers and gunsmiths.

Thanks Les!

20 February 2020, 16:43

Jkinpa

quote:
Originally posted by PWS:
Just wanted to bump this up and let everybody know that Les still has USBs and DVDs available. He just sent me a copy this past week and would love to share his information with budding stockmakers and gunsmiths.

Thanks Les!

Agreed.
I have recently received the usb from Mr. Brooks as well. Great info, and a great man to deal with. He’s sent me some additional advice and information also.

Highly recommend his information.

16 August 2020, 05:49

LesBrooks

I am trying to use a pic to show the finish rifle from this write up.

This is one of the best shooting rifles I have owned. I hope to do some varmint hunting soon.\
Les Brooks

24 August 2020, 21:51

LesBrooks

I will be going back to the beginning and repost the pictures from a different host site. This will help you people to see how I worked.

I will be adding a few pictures a week and it will take some time to replace the pictures.

01 September 2020, 18:18

LesBrooks

quote:
Originally posted by Angus Morrison:
Still underway, but getting there, for a 3 3/4lb Hagn 5.6x50 Mag, started as a plank.

01 September 2020, 19:47

Aaron Little

Where do travels have you now in Texas? If ever near the Tyler area you should come visit!

02 September 2020, 18:02

LesBrooks

I have been holed up near Waco for several months. Medical problems has us grounded for Drs appointments. Maybe we will be able to come over that way to Shilen's for a new barrel for a new Rem short action (17 or 20 cal.???) I said I would never make another stock, but I may have to cut another one. It has been over 10 yrs since the last one in 204 Ruger was written up on AR'

I could stop in Athens if I get over that way.

02 September 2020, 18:41

Aaron Little

You’d be welcome to use the shop as well. Has all the goodies a guy could want, other than duplicator.

21 September 2020, 21:19

LesBrooks

I have been using rust bluing with the old water boiling in tanks since 1960. I took the formula from early books. It took a little time to learn how to get a good blue on guns. 3 or 4 yrs ago I decided to try the steam tubes to blue my 204 Ruger. I made up the system for less the $100 and it was so much better than the old boiling tanks. Try this for your own guns and get the stainless steel wire wheels from Brownells. I use a 3/8 drill motor to turn about 400 rpm and it came out very good.

16 December 2020, 17:08

LesBrooks

Here is another pic of my setup for rust bluing. This is easy to make and use. The middle section has a joint so I could shorten the work area down to the level of the bench. The stainless steel strainer holds the small parts.

This type of setup is the best as most of my rust bluing was done in a hot water tank boiling parts. NEVER AGAIN IN A TANK!!!

Bobster has a good site to explain his method. I would recommend you try bluing an older gun to see how things go. My first try in rust bluing started in 1960 with tanks and home made bluing solution. This steam method is the best I have tried.

Brownell's has all tools needed except for the 3/8's drill motor. Run slower and set the speed to around 400 rpm.

23 February 2021, 02:49

custombolt

PM coming shortly Les.

quote:
Originally posted by LesBrooks:
I am trying to use a pic to show the finish rifle from this write up.

This is one of the best shooting rifles I have owned. I hope to do some varmint hunting soon.\
Les Brooks

16 March 2021, 20:24

mickri

I would also like to thank Les for this very informative thread on stock making. It is the best that I have been able to find on the internet. Even without all of the pictures it taught me what I need to know to make a stock.

I have 4 rifles to restock. 3 small ring mausers and a carcano. I have never made a stock before. The carcano will be first. I plan to make the blank out of baltic birch plywood. No sense learning on an expensive piece of walnut. I wanted a laminated stock for this rifle anyway.

I will also need to blue these rifles. A thread on steam bluing would be good. Or maybe a post or two on this thread giving the details on steam bluing would be sufficient.

16 March 2021, 21:13

dpcd

Go to Bobster's web site and you will see about rust bluing, including the steam tube method, which is all I use.
The site name is hard to remember; www.rustblue.com.

16 March 2021, 23:12

mickri

Thanks for the link.

17 March 2021, 01:41

Brian Canada

This is a great thread. Thanks to all.
Les, that is a "perfect" rifle/stock!
Brian

03 December 2021, 23:53

Lester Brooks

I have been off of the AR forums for a few weeks. I had to change my password and email address, so now I can be reached by the list in my profile on the gunsmith section. Hope this will post and maybe I can post a few more articles on gunsmithing.

Thanks, Lester Brooks, Look up posts under: LesBrooks which was my old name on topics

17 December 2021, 18:04

Lester Brooks

quote:
Originally posted by LesBrooks:
quote:
Originally posted by Angus Morrison:
Still underway, but getting there, for a 3 3/4lb Hagn 5.6x50 Mag, started as a plank.

28 March 2022, 18:10

Lester Brooks

I am asking that my post by moved into the regular flow of posting on the AR. If someone wants to contact me send me an email as shown in the PM info. My age is catching up with me and some times it is time to quit. Thanks to all that have followed my post and I hope that it has started some new stock making people.

Thanks, to all and now I am signing off

Les Brooks, TSC-1963, now retiring