Finally got one laid out without crossing any lines. The inside of the grip was pretty tough with this one and some diamonds got warped and some got mashed up in soft spots but overall it's not bad.

Why use such a difficult pattern when beeing a beginner ? And now you maybe noticed that high detailed checkering patterns need very hard and high quality wood too....

quote:

Originally posted by igorrock:
Why use such a difficult pattern when beeing a beginner ? And now you maybe noticed that high detailed checkering patterns need very hard and high quality wood too....

I'm more motivated to do a good job when it's tougher. That and I think I may learn more by challenging myself and forcing myself to make mistakes and learn from them (while practicing). Once I start checkering "real" finished stocks, I will use less difficult patterns and the stocks themselves will have much less extreme contours, so I will be taking it easier on myself.

I haven't yet checkered any English walnut so we'll see about that next. The pieces I have are much denser than the claro walnut I've been practicing on.

I did do an easier grip panel on the other side of that practice blank before attempting the one you see above.

quote:

I'm more motivated to do a good job when it's tougher.

Ok, my motivation is at it´s best when the results are as good as possible. But everybody has his own way.

So I assume your advice would be to scale back and master simple patterns before moving up?

Well, hopefully this is an improvement.



I still have to deepen all of the lines and lay them out on the other side, but I'm happy to see the pattern looking "right" on this stock (at least to my eyes).



Indeed the less complicated patterns make it easier to do better work. Almost finished wood (claro walnut in this case) is much better too, although I had to deal with the spacing tool getting clogged up often.

I won't keep this thread going any longer, but thank you all for the tips and advice. It is much appreciated.

Good progress. I can see the improvement in your work quality.

I am getting inspired by your venture! I want to do the same on my Mannlicher Schoenauer project - ..... one day!