Any suggestions for a good read on checkering, finishing, etc.?

I believe someone on HA suggested Monte Kennedy's book?

There are many useful books for the do-it-yourself gunsmith that detail stock finishing and checkering. Jim Carmichael wrote a pretty good one. The Kennedy book is a great addition to your library, as well as covering the art of checkering.

If you just want to learn the basics, Brownells sells a booklet from Dem-Bart about checkering for $4.50

As you are probably aware, there are a variety of stock finishes and techniques. Here's a link to the technique that many use for stock finishing.

http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive99/1_20waltcunfin.html

If you have more specific questions about either task, I'm sure you can get answers here.

GV

The dembark book was a brochure almost and was written by Bill McGuire and is essentially worthless. David Westbrook put out a book Called Professional Stockmaking that is very good. Wolfe Publishing. It is intended for use on semi inletted stocks.