I am sure this can be done, but i am wondering how much it might cost and what kind of results to expect. My idea is to have the standard "chevron" style checkering pattern altered to look more like the Sako or Winchester M70. bassically all that would need to be done isround the front and slant the rear of the "chevron". So from > < to / ) Sorry for the primative graphics.

Low quality minimal checkering starts at $150.00 and goes up from there. To duplicate the machine checkering on a Model 70 by hand will cost around $400.00.

Thnks Rick. I would almost be better off to have a stock custom built with my design wouldn't I or is that a significantly greater expense?

Dave: Log on to www.gunstocks.com. You can get some idea of pricing there. By the time you add up all the charges you're looking at about $400 uncheckered with rather plain wood. Unless you can do most of the work, a really nice stock is going to cost you close to $1000.

Holy smokes. I never thought checkering was so expensive. I thought if you kept it fairly simple it would cost much. I have a plain jane Winchester Ranger. It drives me nuts because it doesn't have checkering. When it is dry out no problems, but the slightest drizzle makes it hard to hold in the shoulder.

Ranger Dave,

Iam with you. And while I will never begrudge a man from earning a living and being paid for his skill let me just say wow!I figured $400-$500 tops and that to me is piles of bucks. I guess I better start tapping my father-in-law for some of his friends that are stockmakers. he had a custome Fajen stock blank built for a .35 herritt or Martini Henry I think, for only a couple of hundred bucks about 20 years ago. Full figured quilted maple no less.
thanks for the info.

Dave,
If I understand your project right, I doen't think it would be outrageously expensive to do. Most of the layout and checkering is already there . If you do a search from www.dogpile.com for "stock checkering" I'm sure you will find someone that can do this.
good luck.

Spend a hundred bucks for tools and do it your self.

You'll find that stock makers/checkerers are WAY underpaid.

Ranger Dave and Dave in LB,
Checkering is the most time consuming single project in making a stock. It is all about time. And you mention that someone got a stock made 20 years ago for $200, well to begin with that was a cheap price even then. And I remember when gas was $.19 a gallon but it isn't now. A cheap rifle stock these days will run $1200 or so plus your wood. I am closer to $2500 and there are quite a few at $5000. A handmade stock will take anywhere from 80 to 120 hours to complete.

A simple checkering job will take 15 to 25 hours depending on a number of variables. You can't charge what you should for checkering and make it come out. There are some checkering specialists that advertise in Gun List, Pat Taylor, Bernadette Duckett, and Kathy Forster. They have developed a particular skill and just deal with checkering and they are very fast but their prices are the same. There are others known for their incredible work like Gary Gowdy whose workmanship is as good as it gets and his prices can run up to $800 for extra special jobs but the time goes up dramatically.

Pat Taylor had a printed slogan at a show some time ago. It said to the effect, "If you want a job done "real bad", I can do it real bad, if you want it in the worst way, I can accomodate that also." Most factory checkering is crap, it does the job but it is poorly done. If you want better you will pay for it and it is not robbery it is paying for someone's time.

I used to do some of the local gun shows and the statement you made about "And while I will never begrudge a man from earning a living and being paid for his skill let me just say wow!" just shows a lack of understanding on what is involved. It is usually done with a sarcastic comment or two and just helps to ruin anyones disposition. You won't begrudge a plumber or car mechanic the rates they charge and if you paid a gunsmith at that rate you couldnt afford to hunt. If I use this argument I often hear that "yes but I need my car or my plumbing, tghey are a necessity." And that is a choice on your part not on mine. Sorry just spouting off.

Dave In LB,
As was said, most of us wont get rich by doing checkering. I do a lot of stock refinishing and to just clean up the existing checkering to do a good job probably takes longer than the rest of the job. Get some tools and a book on checkering (such as from Brownells) and do it yourself. You will enjoy it and it sure will fill up those long winter nights.
Good luck.
Ed

I would not checker a rifle for less than $375.00 and it would take me 40 hours or more to do it, as I do it all by hand. How many of you get paid that little by the hour...and many times I will farm my personal stocks out to someone like Bernadette Duckett for $400 up because I don't need the headaches that go with checkering....She can do the same job in 4 hours with the power tools and do as good a job as anyone....Same for Pat Taylor.

Today I only checker a rifle at the insistance of a customer that I am building a stock or rifle for as some clients want it all done by one person, and thats OK, I will do that for a price. I always give them the option..

I just skipped to the end after reading a few posts and want to clear things before you all start to hate me. I understand that Checkering is time and labor intensive, and that these are the types of jobs that typically need to be done but net very little because the consumer is not will to pay what they are truly worth. I understand the difference between and artisan craftsman and an apprentice or journeyman and am by no means suggesting that your time, and skills aren't worth any rate you charge for a job well done. I appologize for any and all remarks that may or did offend, just reacted from a bit of sticker shock I guess. My comments about the stock made years ago was point of interest in intent not suggesting that pricing now. My F-I-L got a great deal back then on that stock. I do appreciate the information you gentleman have provided.

Dave,
I'm sure you meant no offense but this is a subject that is a bit touchy to most gunsmiths and makers. Especially those that have been at it for a long while. The truth is that most are unable to earn at an hourly rate equal to the average government labourer. Especially if you include benefits. Those that earn at a higher rate usually (but not always) deserve it. Regards, Bill.

Bill,

Thank you. I actually am very sensitive to this type of issue myself and certainly meant no offense. As to you comments all I can say is "agreed".

Kind regards to all,

Dave

Dave, I didn't take any offense from your remarks, and that is why i did distinguish it from the remarks I have recieved at gun shows. Most of the time it is just not knowing the time involved. I did overhear two guys at a gun show in Spokand taking about checkering in particular. The one said he wanted to try it and the other said, "how hard can it be, get some tools and do it." I couldn't help my self from telling them all the pitfalls. It was done in a friendly manner and they said they didn't have any idea it was that difficult. The nagging thing that keeps going through your mind as you checker a stock that up to that point is relatively flawless is that just one slip, let your mind wander and not pay attention and Wham. It is very unforgiving. You can make adjustments and corrections at some times but not always.

Chic

In my opinion, checkering is the most loathsome task involved in stockmaking. I've done a lot of it, but I could never do it for a living.

My eyes can't take it for any extended period of time anymore. Not to mention the concentration and care required. I can only do it for about 2 hours a night before it's time to take a break.

The very best at this endeavor combine combine an artistic eye with flawless execution. I've seen many examples of one without the other.

It's tedious work. When I peruse examples of fine checkering, I have a greater appreciation for the labor involved than the product itself.

It's a deceptively simple operation. The tools are cheap, and the basics are easy to understand. However, when working within your comfort zone stretches into weeks for relatively non-complex patterns, you'll learn to appreciate the skill of people who do it for their livlyhood.



GV