Wow - look at all the options! Thanks everyone! Its interesting to see all the different viewpoints on layouts.

Chic,
if you took the bottom picture, template, spun it 180, and widened it, you would have the large end of the trapazoid on the up/left (-x,+y) quadrant (quad VI? I forget), and a matching, but mirrored forearm.. and enough for fantastic ruger vaquero/blackhawk and knife grips.. in fact, since I tend to carry a fixed AND a folding blade, there's more than enough to fully out fit two young gentlement with rifle and shotgun shocks, pictols, knives, and hell, even a letter opener or two.

jeffe

if I had a slab like that there wouldnt be a tooth pic left.

Jeffe, speaking of knives, have you seen Texas Knifemakers's Supply supply? They have some excellent kits that make for some great knives, including locking liner that I carry.







BTW, tried to follow what you were saying and just got dizzy.

I was thinking nearly the same as Gringo except there would be only one bottom blank and it would be farther away from the sapwood and start more to the right with the two piece wood taken from the middle. That could possibly afford good grain flow throughout depending on the specific dimensions.

Nice stump there Bill!

This stuff is much too precious to let any go to waste by trying to lay out rifle stocks. Sell it to someone who will get maximum use out it by cutting 2-piece shotgun stocks .... take the money you get and buy 2 best quality, matching rifle blanks.

I've never made a gunstock in my life, but I do have a lot of woodworking experience and a boatload of tools. My next project for sure is going to be a new stock for my Win. 70. I'll probably try 2 or 3 (or more) mock-ups first before working with a "decent" piece of wood. Are there any good books out there on stock making? How about videos?

BTW, I'd give my left nut for that slab of wood. Hell, maybe my right one too.

Delta Hunter,
Get the book "Professional Stockmaking" by David Westbrook and study it good.It is excellent.
"Restocking a Rifle" by Alvin Linden is also good, but seriously dated. Both are available on line- I always use www.abebooks.com and find the best prices and availability on used, out of print books like these. - Sheister

Much obliged, Sheister.

I'd say you need to make a decision before decicing on the layout.

Do you want the largest number of stocks or would you prefer a couple with the most dramatic use of grain.

The lighting may be misleading in this photo but i see two almost matching stocks and a bit of wood for other usefull projects.