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Hello All ; I'm in need of advice an opinions concerning , Stock making and general gunsmithing .I've a friend who's a dam fine tool an die machinist and he's interested in looking into the subject . He's NOT going to become a Gunsmith for hire but has agreed to do some things on a custom basis . His Qualifications , building over 30 scale model running engines ; from hit an miss ,18 Cylinder Radial and recently an Offenhauser . These were NOT kits , as Everything was machined from stock an hand made including spark plugs . This is two fold as I will attempt checkering of which I've never done !. Cut shaped and inleted stocks Yes checkered NO . I have several K BDFT of Exotic woods along with full shop capability and it's time to get too it !. Question is ; What Do the majority of YOU feel , are considered the Best Books on these two subjects ?. Thanks in advance too ALL ...    | ||
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Its not going to be cheap because its out of print, but if you can find a copy PROFESSIONAL STOCKMAKING by David L. Wesbrook you will find that it is a thorough book on inletting, shaping and finishing wood gunstocks. Also not cheap, but a good book to see what is possible would be MASTERY OF WOOD AND METAL by Tom Turpin | |||
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general - Dunlap, Gunsmithing Vickery, Advanced Gunsmithing Brownell, Gunsmith Kinks (4 vols) stockmaking - Wesbrook, Professional Stockmaking Linden, Stockmaking (3 vols) checkering - Kennedy, Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks In addition I recommend Guy Lautard's series, The Machinist's Bedside Reader (3 vols), and also his other works. Your friend probably already knows about these, if not then he'll bless you for telling him. These are merely the beginnning. Regards, Joe __________________________ You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think. NRA Life since 1976. God bless America! | |||
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Other than Monty Kennedy's book on Checkering, and those others mentioned, if you are into exotic stock woods perhaps finding a copy of Gunstock Woods and Other Fine Timbers by V.M. Davis might be worth the effort and expense. Also the two volumes by James V Howe - The Modern Gunsmith. | |||
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With all due respect Doc....it seems you and your T & D maker friend have adequate skills just lack specific practice.....may I suggest you merely get an action and go to it.....the very best way to learn is to go get your feet wet!...jump in and ask and learn as you go.....you can read books until the cows come home but won't ever learn a thing until you're out there trying it for yourself..... /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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VapoDog ; As I generally would agree ,however in this case I want checkering instructions . Pattern , proper layout along with beginning instructions, Border outlines then field LPI selections which are practical . Lay out and Cutting one piece or combination laminating of stocks , along with Shaping letting and finishing of stocks I've done . I know how to use various tools including hand operated ,chisels ,gouges ,veining, skews ,scrapers. I've even made custom scrapers so as to duplicate detail on antique furniture pieces , Just Not Checkering !. An seeing as it's nearly the last step prior to finishing the stock , I'd prefer reading or viewing a video before just Jumping on it !. As screwing up that aspect can cause severe GRIEF ,already knowing the time effort and expense of getting the stock too that point . I also understand some Checkering tools are Pushed an some are Pulled ; What are the Pros and Cons ?. I prefer to pull if possible ,as that has seemed to work well enough for other task . It's why I want reference material ! , prior to just Jumping on it . My philosophy is and always has been ; Be as well informed as possible practice whenever possible and don't hesitate to ask or question an operation prior too engaging in it . Thanks too ALL ; | |||
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I would be happy to lend you my Joe Ballickie video on checkering. | |||
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I learned the basics of checkering from Kennedy's book. Then it just took several checkering jobs to learn how to read the wood and interpret feedback from the tools as you work the wood. Ten years, and over 100 checkering jobs later, I'm still learning. When you tackle a bird's eye maple stock, lay in a good supply of your favorite stress reliever. I have a similar background to you and your buddy. I agree with the others.....JUST DO IT. Mike Ryan - Gunsmith | |||
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Doc....I heartedly disagree.....buy this action and get on with things.... There's a lot of folks that can help you in terms of the next step....but you need to just jump in.... Lack of checkering experience or coaching is simply a copout!!!! It's the last thing one does to a gunstock....and you're using something several months away from getting going. Now get with it!!!!  In the meantime you might accept 22WRF's offer of the video lending..... I guarantee you.....you'll learn a lot ore by jumoing in than by reading and watching.... Get a blank (there's a good one from jim62 alkso on the classifieds....send it to Dennis Olson in Plains Montana for routing.....and you're off and running.....all it takes is a few bucks.  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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Regarding the push and pull...once you learn to read the wood, it will tell you. I use the tools with the changeable cutters. I have both the short and the regular cutters set up on separate handles for pushing and for pulling. I have the Ballickie video, it is very good. However, Joe really does not TELL you what to do. He shows you how he does it. Start from there, you will soon develop your own way. Mike Ryan - Gunsmith | |||
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Mike before or after checkering ? An how did you decide on which checkering tools to purchase ?.May I also ask if you remember What LPI did you first attempt ?. Thanks ... VapoDog ; I've already got a couple of actions and I've already cut a stock an let it on the mill I'm in the process of finalizing shaping then will proceed with sanding and then Jump on Checkering AFTER I read or View something on it !!!. | |||
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I could go on for several thousand words on the subject of checkering, but please let me give you several very simple suggestions. Firstly, read Kennedy's book with special attention given to Dale Goens' advice and patterns. IMO his work is easily the most aesthetically pleasing of all the craftsmen featured and the graceful flow of his patterns shows it. His idea of using X-ray film for his templates was a stroke of genius! Secondly, get several of the Brownell's see-thru handles, they are adjustable for tool angle and can be used either push or pull. Practice both ways. Their dual shafts also give a good indication of the tool's sideways tilt, not always apparent with the thinner single-shaft handles. Thirdly, get a chunk of European walnut, juglans regia, to practice your initial tool handling and cutting technique. The closer grain and the cleaner-cutting characteristics will cause few or no wood problems, so you'll KNOW that any difficulties are your own (grin). With these suggestions your progress/learning curve should be very steep & fast at first, but don't get overconfident until your practice patterns become close to perfect. Begin to pay more and more attention to your spacing as you progress. Regards, Joe __________________________ You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think. NRA Life since 1976. God bless America! | |||
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Tools: I have done borders, carving, fleurs, ribbons and even skip-line. These days I use very few tools compared to those in the "Expert" sets. Jointer, veiner, Brownell see-thru handles, carbide pointer-long cutters, 90-degree bent needle file, 3:1 and 3 1/2:1 shop-made templates, shop-made wrap-around straight-edges, spacers in skipline, 20, 22 & 24 lpi, and skew chisels. The skipline and skews are for the mullered borders. Checkering is a combination of artistry (layout & flow) and craftsmanship (consistency and detail) and very few smiths are experts in both areas. That's why I use the Goens ideas and patterns when possible, they're A LOT better than almost all the others I've seen. Regards, Joe __________________________ You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think. NRA Life since 1976. God bless America! | |||
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Sincere thanks too JD and others advice taken I will pursue and hopefully prevail . I'm sourcing a magnifying lighted lens now . I have seen them but never used one . My trusted retired Stock maker insists their a must have item . | |||
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I'm cheering you on.....post pics as you go so we can /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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