Would like a short list of what kind of tools I should have on hand when my stock comes in so I can inlet it myself. I don't want to spend umpteen thousands of dollars on special equipments and logarithms as I may never do another. What kind of files, scrapers, chisels, etc. should I have? The stock is a laminate, in birch. This is a softwood, yes? If so, it shouldn't be too hard to move lots of wood with gritty sandpaper? And what about bedding... Acra-glas or Steel-bed? So much to know... so expensive to screw it up doing it the hard way.

rootbeer,
Hate to disappoint you but birch is a hardwood similiar to American Walnut. At the minimum you need a 1/4 inch flat chisel and a 1/4 inch half=round chisel and a barrel channel tool. Since I glass-bed the action I have found a Dremel tool is ideal for the rough work that is not visible. The round ball cutter does 99% of what I need to do on bedding the action and the first inch or so of the barrel. Regular AcraGlas gel is fine for most calibers, steel bed for the magnums if you are so inclined.

Good luck on your first endeavor, it may not be as pretty as you want but it can be very rewarding.........As my ol' cousin used to say about carpentry "the sign of a good carpenter is being able to hide his mistakes." Glassbedding is the stockmakers best friend although the "purist" have palpatations and tend to scream a lot if you even mention glass-bedding.

Ol' John

Thanks, Hondo. I've been through your town a million times on my way to and from Del Rio. Any good shootin' places down there? I hate the east coast and want to move away from here to a place that offers lots of good shooting places and happy hunting grounds for g-hogs and such. Looking for a place with low humidity and mild winters.

Ditto what Hondo said.

Try one of the marble/tile or formica cutting bits. It looks like a shaft with diamonds all over it. This is the fastest wood removal tool I have ever used.