The Accurate Reloading Forums
Getting better but I still need help
15 February 2025, 08:14
enyGetting better but I still need help
I'm still struggling with recoil pads. I'd say 0ne out of three I just have to throw away. The other two are passable and once in a while I get one just right.
wondering if I just need more skill or better /different tools.
below are the jigs and belt sander I use. Never mind the belt as it got trashed on a recent household project

I've tried doing it freehand on this belt sander with some tape on the stock but that didn't work. thinking maybe a knife making type of belt sander would be better? would love to get some ideas.
Also, may latest two projects in progress
https://share.icloud.com/photo...cMkGg9_B_ZSzHCGYmMPwhttps://share.icloud.com/photo...CTKvqEAGZczgT6Ml0A-ghttps://share.icloud.com/photo...cZXo3H-eAYxjcXFQRigAhttps://share.icloud.com/photo...NeodX4fZPO0ascO5rSAwhttps://share.icloud.com/photo...kzyFCL4Jg8W7nQS-kAHwhttps://share.icloud.com/photo...kLG_Z97gojpExnuxeAYQhttps://share.icloud.com/photo...YJqIuLuiHKlJUZV5KM1A15 February 2025, 13:37
Steve BertramI was taught to grind them free hand years ago and have fit hundreds of pads that way, it does take practice to get good at it. I like to look down on the belt when I grind so I stand on a small platform to fit pads. A sharp belt helps. I use a jig only for the final grind on a leather covered pad. YMMV.
Steve
15 February 2025, 17:34
BobsterIn the shop, we use the jig and a disk sander with a table. The pad is screwed to the stock and deeply scribed with a scratch awl. The scratch is filled with whiting to make it stand out. Then the pad is attached to the jig and the two are placed on the table. Sand until the white line just disappears.
15 February 2025, 18:17
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)WE had a gunsmith on board while I was workiong or a large sporting goods chain...Every pad he tried to install...Farked up the stock! The job fell on me to repair until I just made mention he was not to touch a pad...ever!
Nice guy and knowledgeable...but the stars just did not line up when it came to pad installation....I'm that way with computers!
15 February 2025, 19:04
dpcdI see your problem; too many jigs; I do it like SB; iron grip and nerves of steel; all by hand.
Also, start with a coarse belt; using too fine a belt at first will just take forever and cause you to lose concentration.
Of course, fitting one to an unfinished stock is child's play; I fit them to finished stocks by scribing a line, and then removing it for the last .030. Iron grip.
Tape method; only if you don't want a perfect fit.
15 February 2025, 19:14
Fal Gruntquote:
Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
WE had a gunsmith on board while I was workiong or a large sporting goods chain...Every pad he tried to install...Farked up the stock! The job fell on me to repair until I just made mention he was not to touch a pad...ever!
Nice guy and knowledgeable...but the stars just did not line up when it came to pad installation....I'm that way with computers!
I've forgotten his name now, but the old man who worked in stocks at CST was very polite in his urging that I never touch a stock again.

Nathaniel Myers
Myers Arms LLC
nathaniel@myersarms.com
www.myersarms.comFollow us on Instagram and YouTube
I buy Mauser actions, parts, micrometers, tools, calipers, etc. Specifically looking for pre-WWII Mauser tools.
16 February 2025, 02:34
AtkinsonA pad on a unfinished stock is easy, on a finished stock it takes a skilled steady hand unless you intend to completely refinish the finished stock and thats easy also..
I sanded to very close and finish by hand with i80 and 240 with a flat sanded block made from walnut or whatever and take long swipes not back and fourth, a slow process and I use my fingernail to know when its done...Its much easier to send it out if you know the right guy.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
16 February 2025, 04:35
richjFor fun or for profit. Are you charging for your time :-)
Scribe it,
Bandsaw then,
belt/disk sander then,
mount it then,
by hand with files then sandpaper
Pachy's seem to work well, softer pads don't react well to hand filing.
16 February 2025, 04:45
enyquote:
Originally posted by richj:
For fun or for profit. Are you charging for your time :-)
Scribe it,
Bandsaw then,
belt/disk sander then,
mount it then,
by hand with files then sandpaper
Just for fun, but I only have winter to work. Mostly my stuff but a few for friends. Mostly Pachmyer. I guess mostly I was hoping to be able to get closer without getting an area too small so as not to be doing the long process of finishing by hand.
Pachy's seem to work well, softer pads don't react well to hand filing.
16 February 2025, 04:51
enyThanks everyone, nothing really new here so I think I'll make a place to get belt sander lower and just suffer the long hand finish. On stocks I make I do them before I sand the whiskers off.