I would really like to learn some more about making stocks and wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction for some literature on the subject. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. AB

1. Have you read the Silver Lining Scholarship thread yet? (excellent CD is available)

2. Professional Stockmaking by David Wesbrook

3. Custom Guns in Black and White by Steven Dodd Hughes

4. And, if you are really interested in making a whole bunch of stocks for yourself, or doing it on a semi professional basis, it might be beneficial to find a stockmaker who would be willing to take some of your money (I am guessing anywhere between $500 and $1000 or thereabouts) to allow you to come to their studio a few times to watch them craft a few from the blank, allowing you to make a few photos and ask a few questions. Try to find one that uses a milling machine to inlet their stock blanks.

quote:

2. Professional Stockmaking by David Wesbrook

For fitting a simi-inlet Wesbrook's book is great.

If you were to buy only one book, I would highly recommend Stockmaking by Alvin Linden. The book is great for beginners because it goes so deep into the fundamentals. The real nice thing about this book is the fact that Linden did all his work with basic hand tools. Doing it the Linden way does not require a bunch of expensive equipment.

Jason

David Wesbrook's book is it. If you are serious about doing best quality work I would make it a point to NOT read most of the other books out there. Lindens book is good. Both the S.D.H. and Ron Towes book are excellent but wont give you the "how" as far as nuts and bolts. Again, I would not waste my time with the myrad of books typlified by cute rhymes in the glossary.

Great guys.. thanks for the info. I will read the silver lining thread.

Lindens writing style left me with a headache. I like the Wesbrook book if you can find one. I read about everything I get my hands on and learn some from each. I've been reading the Roy Dunlap book lately and enjoy it. Once you get an idea of the basics I find looking at professional work helpfull and enjoyable. SDH's book above is full of classic work and very helpfull. I like the black and white as it shows the detail of the work very well. Sometimes pretty wood is a good cover for average work (like mine) . The B&W draws your eye to the details IMO.

Stockmaking,eh? Well there are 2 aspects of it that the books cover. One is the techniques you need to learn/master. (I agree) Linden's book is good but a bit dry. Monty Kennedy's "Firearm Design & Assembly, Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks" also pertains.

The second aspect, and IMHOP, is even more important: stock (& rifle) design. That's where SDH's books come in. There is no finer assemblage of fine rifle & shotgun designs by the best custom makers available.

Mr. Hughes book is excellent for visual clarity as to what you should be trying to achieve and is a bargain at any price. Mr.Wesbrook’s book is indispensable for the how-to of stockmaking. Another book you should be looking for is Ron Toews. It’s proably the best book I have seen on the finest of American gunmaking.

http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-American-stockmakers...id=1227740143&sr=1-1

Or better yet, this is where i got my copy, not perfect but very close to it and several hundreds dollars cheaper!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Contemporary-American-Stockmakers-G...C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Wow! Thanks for all the great links, and to SDH.. I am looking forward to picking up your book set. Now it is time to get my hands on this stuff...settle in for some good reading...and then knowing myself... completely ruin my 1st stock but learn a lot and go from there!! It is going to be fun! Great, just what I need...another hobby!!

Srtrax,
That is one heck of a deal! The book sold for 100$ new back in “79. The seller is Dennis Toews, Ron’s cousin and a heck of a nice guy.

SDH you have a PM.

I just picked-up a copy of Ron Toews' book. Many thanks Big Earl and srtrax for pointing it out.

It's a fantastic book. A few of the featured stockmakers I'd never heard of and never seen their names posted here or on any other bulletin boards. Guys like Richard Hodgson and Robert M. Winter. And then there are the chapters on Jerry Fisher, Maurice Ottmar and Duane Wiebe amongst others. Fine, fine stockmakers all.

This book was such a great find. Thanks again.


cheers,
- stu

Glad you got it! May have sold out of them, because they are no longer comeing up on that sight anymore...Enjoy!

If you want a historical perspective, the granddaddy has to be Clyde Baker's "Modern Gunsmithing" from the 1930's. I think this was one of the first widely published books in the field and is a fun read, full of practical tips. It has nice sections on remodeling military actions and building sporter stocks. The examples from Mews, Linden, Kennedy and other "old timers" are terrific.

Roger

I wish I could find a copy of Wesbrooks book for a reasonable price!!!

Try dropping this guy a line, he might know where you can pick up a copy:

David Wesbrook
9370 Ridge Ave.
East Sparta OH. 44626

http://www.midwayusa.com/eprod...ct?saleitemid=287366

Midway lists Westbrook's book for a decent price ($50). I'd call to make sure they have it. Amazon has several copies beginning at $135.00!!

Thanks, Clowdis! I looked at Amazon and saw those prices and just said no. I figured it was an out of print book! I will check Midway now! Lee.

If anyone is interested in a copy of this book, one has come up again.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Contempora...7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50

Great price and a good person to buy from!

That is a great price on that book. I gave quite a bit more to Jerry Fisher for a copy last year at the ACGG exhibition and was happy to get a copy. I was told by some that I had gotten it too cheap but now I see I paid too much.

Unfortunatley, Midway shows the Wesbrook book as dicontinued. The search goes on!

quote:

Originally posted by Idared:
That is a great price on that book. I gave quite a bit more to Jerry Fisher for a copy last year at the ACGG exhibition and was happy to get a copy. I was told by some that I had gotten it too cheap but now I see I paid too much.

The copy I got for $80 has some light foxing on the inside covers, and some very light water damage at the bottom of the pages. It was advertised as such, and in no way detracts from my reading enjoyment. It's just not a mint copy, that's all. I think it's a very impressive book.

cheers,
- stu