04 January 2010, 07:22
Trax
... 
Stock making is like golf, you drive and rough mill for show, but you putt and fine inlet for dough$$.
quote:to see that is was indeed made from a blank.
quote:Originally posted by 22WRF:quote:to see that is was indeed made from a blank.
For all of us nonstockmakers, I am just wondering what the distinction is (if you care to tell).
1. aren't they all made from a blank
2. Is the distinction between one kind of machine and another. Or the amount of machining that can be done. Or the type of machine that can be used. Or what?
... quote:Originally posted by 22WRF:
well, not to take anything away from Mr. Kobe's skills, but it appears to me that almost as much work was done with a machine on this stock as would be done with a pantograph.
quote:Originally posted by 22WRF:quote:to see that is was indeed made from a blank.
For all of us nonstockmakers, I am just wondering what the distinction is (if you care to tell).
1. aren't they all made from a blank
2. Is the distinction between one kind of machine and another. Or the amount of machining that can be done. Or the type of machine that can be used. Or what?
quote:quote:Originally posted by Trez Hensley:
Here is a partial copy of the rules as taken from the ACGG web site. I've put the info that is directly related to your question in BOLD. The original founders of the guild made the rules.
The most likely reason as to why you can use a mill and not a duplicator is to allow the Guild to know that you know how to lay out a stock correctly. Many who use a duplicator, do not do the work themselves and so they may never have had to do the detailed layout work.
However, since I have only been in the guild for the last few years maybe a few Guild members here that were around during the early days of the Guild might be in a better position to answer this in full detail.....
From the ACGG site:
To qualify as a Regular Member, an applicant must be a professional craftsperson who
actively solicits commissions to create custom firearms, all, or in part, or related items. An
applicant’s quality of craftsmanship in the categories: Stockmaker, Metalsmith, Engraver,
Metal Finisher should represent at least minimum professional standard for the field. Due
to their specialization aspect, an applicant’s quality of craftsmanship in all other categories
should represent excellent standard for the field. Members are expected to maintain good
business practices and high ethical standards in their relations with the public and their
peers. At the annual meeting, candidates are required to display at least two (2) examples
of work and be approved by a 2/3 majority of the members voting. Refer to the attached
“Requirements for Acceptance -Stockmaker,” “Requirements for Acceptance - Metalsmith,”
and “Requirements for Acceptance - Metal Finisher.”
--To Apply For Membership
An applicant for admittance to the Guild must submit work for viewing and acceptance by
the membership. The work in the category submitted for membership approval must be
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completed by the candidate without the assistance of any outside party (e.g., all stockwork,
all metalwork, etc.).
---To apply for Regular Membership please do the following:
1. Fill out the personal information and signature on the Page 3 Applicant’s Signature Page.
2. Provide six (6) customer references who can verify workmanship and satisfactory business
practices. (Page 4 of Application)
3. Review all qualifications and sign application.
4. Submit signatures of three (3) or more current Regular Members who have reviewed work
samples. (Page 5 of Application)
5. Include a signed copy of your Federal Firearms License where applicable.
6. Enclose a check or money order for $260.00 payable to: American Custom Gunmakers
Guild.
7. Mail all forms and materials to: Jan Billeb, Executive Director, American Custom
Gunmakers Guild, 22 Vista View Ln, Cody, WY 82414-9606.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE - STOCKMAKER
An applicant must submit two stocks with the following work completed. All of this work must be performed
solely by the applicant.
1. INLETTING
a. Both stocks must be fully inlet, metal to wood.
b. At least one of the stocks must be laid out, inlet and shaped by hand. This means no use of
duplicating or pantograph machines (drill presses, hand saws, milling machines, etc. are, of course,
acceptable). We are making no judgments on the use of pantograph machines in the everyday life
of a stockmaker. We do believe, however, that a stockmaker should know how to make a stock "by
hand from the blank" and for this occasion we would like him/her to do so on at least one of the
examples.
c. The applicant must bring required hand tools to remove metal from wood for inspection of inletting.
2. STYLE
Style of stock work may be any the applicant desires and will be judged solely on the layout, quality of fit,
finish, detail and checkering.
3. FINISH
Finish may be any type the applicant feels is appropriate for the firearm displayed. Judging will be on
preparation, application, detail and overall appearance.
4. CHECKERING
a. Checkering will be judged on layout, sharpness of diamonds, straightness of lines, lack of overruns,
and overall appearance.
b. Patterns may be any the applicant desires.
5. SCREWS
All slotted screws must be indexed with slots parallel to the length of the firearm (north-south screws).
6. ADDITIONAL FEATURES
We would like to see these four features included at least once each. It is not necessary to include all four
features in each piece, but we would like to see one feature each from a, b, c, and d, somewhere on the two
stocks.
a. Steel, skeleton butt plate or leather covered pad.
b. Steel, skeleton grip cap or trap grip cap.
c. Ebony or contrasting forend tip.
d. Inletted sling swivel base or bases.
7. FUNCTIONING
Above all, the examples MUST function perfectly. This is CUSTOM work, which means superb in function
as well as esthetics. The applicant will submit along with the two firearms, a full magazine of dummy
cartridges for function testing.
Page 8 3/2009
8. RECOMMENDATIONS, TYPES OF FIREARMS
Since the purpose of this work is to show off the applicant's abilities as a stockmaker, it is recommended that
quality rifles or shotguns requiring a considerable amount of inletting and shaping be chosen. Mauser 98,
Model 70 Winchester, 03 Springfield, High-Wall Winchester, Hagn, Ruger #1, Model 21 Winchester, L.C.
Smith, Parker, any of the fine European shotguns, side-by-side or over-under, and, if you are lucky enough,
a fine double rifle would be great. Muzzleloaders are also a good choice.
What we would not like to see would be, for example, Model 12 Winchester, 870 Remington, etc. There is
nothing wrong with these firearms, they simply do not require the amount of inletting and shaping that we feel
is necessary to showcase one's skills.