I have a co-worker who, as a antique collector, makes the rounds of the various thrift stores in town. Knowing my interest in firearms and hunting, he often picks up stuff that he thinks I may be interested in (mainly gunsmithing books). Recently he found a cigar box with some checkering tools/parts.

Looking them over, I have a total of four handles, one Brownells, one Herters, and two Dembarts. Plus a selection of cutters, some needle files and sharpening stones. All for the price of $10.
I guess now I'll need some books on the subject- I already have a copy of Monte Kennedy's book "Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks". Very interesting pictures, though a bit dated (1962). Are there any newer "must haves" on this subject? Something that will give me a better idea of the "how to's" of checkering and get my budding "career" off the ground?

Thanks,

Super Bon Bon

most of it should be in that book. Start doing it by hand then when you get skilled you can try machines.A stock cradle makes it much easier and a comfortable seat and very good lighting are needed also.

I've heard that video out by Joe Balickie(sp??) is supposed to be good. Unfortunately I've never seen it.

Bon Bon,
The tape is good be Joe, also several books will help you get started. Now here is a picture of my basic set with air connected to blow the dust away. This cuts time and keep the lines clear inorder to see better. Learn to checker with a shadow cast on the lines. Direct light on the checkering will make you go blind. Power tools are the best if you can afford the investment. The dust created while cutting and breathing into the nose will cause problems. A dust mask or an air system helps. I would recommend that a new person starting out in this field get an air system set up and get used to using this before you get set in your own ways of working. It only takes an hour or two to get used to the air lines and you will not know that they are attached to the handle.

Super Bon Bon ???? Now my curiosity is killing me ... why that name?

I do not know of any other good checkering books on the market. One other was written by Bill McGuire but it basically said "get a whole bunch of Dembart tools ( he was a part owner) and start checkering. He even offered to teach me early in his career and that entailed me sitting in his shop wathing him and just listening. He is a very entertaining guy but unfortunately the conversation was never about checkering.

You do need a few more items to start. The important ones are new cutters, a veiner, a cradle and a Kennedy jointer. I have not had any coffee so I will think of the really important stuff later.

Les, neat system.

Have any of you pro's had the chance to check out the "learnd to Checker" starter kit offered by Midway yet? I treat alot of their stuff with a suspect eye, but...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=576359

Chic- the name come from duck hunting where my partners (my brother Neal and his friend Rob) took note of my preference for BBs. When we switched to goose loads, I began stuffing my gun with Tungsten loads, and thus the Super Bon Bon moniker came about.

SBB