Author Topic: Working without the proper tools (Read 4212 times)

elkslayer4x5 · « **on:** December 15, 2012, 08:35:01 AM »

Some of you may have seen some of the gun stocks that my son and I make. We make 'em the hard way, without the proper tools, because we don't have them. Sort of a mixture of really old school and a few proper tools. The most difficult part of making a two piece gun stock is drilling the hole. I'm sure that it would be much easier if we had a production model drill press, capable of a 13-14" swing. A handi butt stock is around 12-12 1/2" In order to drill a hole that long, we use a 1/2 varible speed drill motor anchored to a wooden bed. We have made a few modifications so that we can level the drill bit, and control lateral movement. Notice the elevation screws on the front of the drill, and the horizontal adjustment screws on the back, behind the trigger. Currently, we are just using shims under the back of the drill motor.

We have a center line drawn on the drilling bed, and on the sliding table. We establish the bolthole line that we need, draw that line on the stock blank and anchor the stock blank to the sliding table, matching the lines.

We drill from the butt to the reciever end, using three steps. We start with a 7/8 spade bit, and push the sliding table into the drill motor, until we reach the full length of the spade bit, un chuck that bit and chuck up an extenision, snap the spade bit back in and mark ( with a piece of duct tape ) on the shaft of the extension, the final depth of the 7/8" hole. We make a slimmer stock than Handi does so we stop our bolt hole 4 1/2" from the reciever end, so that the end of the 7/8" hole is in a thicker part of the stock, to do that, we use a 5" bolt.

In the above photo you can see the extension and the spade bit, and the duct tape marker. Under the bench is our converted dust collection system, R2 DustToo. After we reach the maximim depth, we switch to the 3/8 long spade bit, seen here.

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2012, 08:46:27 AM »

The stock blank pictured above is going to be a left handed Monte Carlo that my son is making for a member of this board. I have just one more pic to add today, and that is the forestock that I'm making for Ken. I'll post more of this build along in the comming days, right now, it's time to get back to it! Before you ask, yes same size as my foreend, so hows it look so far Ken?

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2012, 07:48:24 AM »

After the hole is drilled, its time to cut out the stock shape, and then taper the blank. To do that we use a router, but first we draw the stock on the blank, including the cheekpiece. We set the blank on a router table, clamped in a vise. Secure the blank so that it does'nt move, and build up a surface for the router base to run on, I usually try to be a 1/4" above the stock blank. Next I set the router bit to the depth of the recoil pad allowance line. A brief note here, all router cuts are made to be 1/32" - 1/16" proud of the final finish size, and sand down to final finish. To set the taper of the stock, 1 3/4" at the recoil pad, and 1 3/8 at the reciever, we place a shim under the reciever end. Route the side with out a cheekpiece first, so that when you turn the blank over you have a solid, even surface in contact with the router table, then turn the blank over.

Set the taper as before, then carefully follow the outline of the cheekpiece, then working away fron the cheekpiece take the rest of the excess wood off. As my son said once, "making a gun stock is easy, drill the bolthole, draw the stock and cut away anything that is'nt gun stock". We now have a rough shape of a gun stock, and its time to form the stock.
We built a stock forming clamp to hold the stock while we take away most of the un-gun stock wood.

For this we go back to a really old school tool, a wood rasp, working from the center line ( offset to account for the cheekpiece ) round off the square edges to the bolthole line, also drawn on the blank. Rasp until you have the shape you want, take your time, its hard work. Take plenty of breaks, and after the feeling has returned to your hands, continue until you 'ger er done'! The following pics are Ken's right handed Monte Carlo stock.

Today, I'll shape the hand grip. See tommorow's posts. Please feel free to comment, we welcome any constructive suggestions.

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2012, 08:34:09 AM »

drilling the hole in the forend. it has to be centerd and a distance from the end is key... get it to short and it wont fit.

once thats done we move on to releaving the stock for the lug.. get that all done , then i move on to shaping

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2012, 08:45:39 AM »

stock after it has been all cut out

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2012, 12:53:50 AM »

Traded the stock I had in the 'wanted to trade H & R' forum, part of the deal was another couple of coats of Tru-Oil. Power went out right after dinner tonight, my son can't sleep with out his Cpap, so we're out in the garage hand sanding, under the glow of a couple of LEDs, and by the time to power came back on, I'd sanded off the old Tru-Oil, then wore a half sheet of 220 on the set. We'll see if we can find any finer paper here in our small city. I'll raise the grain again this morning, and polish 'em some more before I re-apply the Tru-Oil, told 6x5 that I'll miss this stock when she's gone. Here is where I got that stock blank, it was a slab off the root ball of a small California Redwood, Sequioa Semperviren.

I quit smoking in Dec of 06, and by Feb I needed to keep my hands and mind busy so I cut up that yard table into 5 adult sized stock blanks, and one youth sized blank. On the first blank, I drilled the hole croocked, got the 5" bolt stuck, and had to cut it apart. Started another, and found a few problems. Scrap that one for a while, too.

Thats the stock I'm trading to Frank for a .280 barrel, and some coin of the realm. I had to go 3/4" deep to route out that rot, found a pretty piece of burl to glue in, but could'nt get it sanded flat enough to laminate with the little palm sander I had, so I made a third stock, which is still on my .25-06, currently my grandson favorite rifle. Went back to work on this stock after finishing mine and my daughter-in-law's stock, called it The Lady Handi.

In April of 07 I began repairing this stock,

Finally got around to finishing that stock earlier this year, when I began offering it for trade, and this morning it looks like this.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2012, 04:49:22 AM »

I tell you, when I first saw this stock set with just one coat of Tru-Oil on it I knew I had to have it.
I can only imagine what it is going to look like with some more sanding and a couple more coats to bring out the grain/shine.
Should be a really good looking set!
I am kind of glad there was damage in the wood as I am sure it wouldn't have come up for trade otherwise.
The Myrtle accents really set it off and even the repaired butt stock has a distinctive different look that doesn't really detract from the over all appearance, at least in my mind.

I think I am really going to like this set after it finished.
Now to decide what caliber to put it on.
Maybe that custom 28" 38-55 Target Classic I am going to have re-done into a 405 Winchester!

LONGTOM

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2012, 06:15:56 AM »

As 6x5 and I sat basking in the glow of the LEDs and the trusty Big Buddy heater last night, one of the thing we talked about was ....How many time did You, LONGTOM View my add for this stock, I've noticed that every time I visit a thread, the view count goes up. Just wondering how many time did you take another look at this stock? You'll be pleased with what will show up as I continue to work my way to the finer grit papers, if I can find anything finer than 220 aluminum oxide. We're only 20 miles from a large metroplex area, and our stores here only carry what the average homeowner would be likely to buy.
On another project, I've finished rough shaping Ken's all Redwood right handed Monte Carlo, and worked it over really well with the 60 grit on the palm sander to remove all the rasp scars, and started final shaping with the 100 grit. Here's what your stock is now looking like now , did'nt work on the grip like I said I would but will later today.

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2012, 06:46:19 AM »

shaping up a stock with the rasp , its a time consuming task working slowly to get it to your line

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2012, 06:49:14 AM »

here it is all shaped and rough sanded.. boy it sure is a prety hunk o wood

LONGTOM · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2012, 10:05:03 AM »

Quote

How many time did You, LONGTOM View my add for this stock,

HA HA!
Many many times I went back drooling over it until it got the best of me.
Sometimes you look at things so long that you just tell yourself enough is enough.
Either get it or quit looking at it!

LONGTOM

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2012, 10:32:32 AM »

I'm real happy with your decision!

I working the stock set over with 320 wet/dry, am down to wood, old finish is gone, and I'm rubbing a high polish on it now, start to glow and the iridesence is showing without the Tru-Oil, by the time I rub in several coats of Tru-Oil, the set will shine. Gonna stock your custom .405 Win with it? What did you use as a donor barrel? I don't recall H & R making a .405 Win barrel, my first though is you had a .38-55 rebored and chambered in .405. No?

LONGTOM · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2012, 12:05:09 PM »

Yes it is a 38-55 barrel.
I left the caliber out in the other reply.
I went back and fixed it.

LONGTOM

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2012, 09:45:46 AM »

all done with the rough sanding it has been hand sanded with some 220 and 320 now . it looks real good, as per member request the grip has been inlarged , Lop has been lengthened also.

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2012, 10:11:24 AM »

here is a good look at the wood ..

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2012, 11:19:46 AM »

Stunning piece of Burl, nice work!

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2012, 06:29:56 AM »

Thanks 4x5.. its going to make the member very happy

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2012, 06:36:16 AM »

very nice work and clever work.

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:13:17 AM »

thanks shootall
its a lot of labor. and sanding lots of sanding..lol But its a fun task and finishing one up give us great joy.along with whom ever ends up with it..they are happy as well

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:29:41 AM »

I am in the process of finding wood and a few tools to make revolver stocks . Not that there aren't great stocks for sale I just want to make my own. Or try

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:00:24 AM »

as in grip panels... they are a lot of fun you will need lot o sand paper.. a nice rasp helps along witha router if you need to do any relelaving to fit a frame...you can do alot with a dremel tool. great for shaping.. good luck post up some pictures when you get going on your project

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:09:17 AM »

Will if they turn out ,
Yep grips , Got told long ago if they are wood they are stocks anything else are grips . But folks look at ya funny when ya call um stocks

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:20:18 AM »

Here's a couple of revolver grip panels I made, the center one is two parts that enclose the frame, did that inletting with a rotozip, could'nt find a pic of the inside but that grip fits a Taurus Tracker. The biggest problem I had in making pistol grips was in finding a good supply of grip panel ferrels, if you find a supplier please let us know. As 6x5 said, post pic of your progress, and feel free to ask us any questions you may have.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** December 19, 2012, 08:43:53 AM »

Brownells and I think Midway have them . I have not ordered them yet but have been looking to find all the parts. There is a local place for wood of all knids , will try the less expensive stuff first . One goal is to duplicate some grips I have in walnut in ebony . They fit a J frame S&W and are very compact .

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2012, 05:03:46 AM »

Found the grip panel ferrels on Brownells, both sides, and the screws, but no photo, but it come to $12 a set, Prety spendy when you're trying to makes 'em for sale. Nothing but a ton of grip panels on Midway.
I would suggest that for your first pair, that you try working with a less expencive wood, heck even some fir or pine would work well enough for you to get a feel of how to work on them, as with most thing it takes practice, and I'd much rather make a mistake on some throwaway pieces than on something like Ebony. My above photo was my 3rd set, I've got two bad sets in the scrap box, of both types.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** December 20, 2012, 05:05:38 AM »

If I find any other source will pass it on.

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 24, 2012, 06:59:32 AM »

I drilled and routered, rasped till my fingers hurt,.sanding away hours and lost track of time now Iam all done. all i have to do is ship it off to its new home...thats realy the hardest part...lol I was getting used to mounting up a left handed stock.

The time has come for me to make one to Keep. I have aquired some new handi parts so i will be putting a .243 together along with .280 that 4x5 picked up in his stock trade... I will make a myrtle stock(a very beautiful wood) while Dad has plans to do a redwood.stock matching his 25-06, he made a few years ago.

keep lookin more pictures to come..any comments are welcome along with any suggestions

Bugflipper · « **Reply #27 on:** December 24, 2012, 07:17:03 AM »

Wow! Very nice.

elkslayer4x5 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 24, 2012, 08:27:31 AM »

I'm almost done with LONGTOM's new stock ( My Trader in the 'Want to Trade' forum ) after Frank told me that he intends to bolt my trader up to his Custom .405 Winchester, I offered to add a bit more Myrtle to handle the big .40 cal thumping 30 + lbs of recoil, made it 1/16 proud of the reciever, and chased the fit until I came up a 1/4" short of the original LOP ( now 14" ) and got a 99% fit, and after a few shots the .405's recoil will set the fit.

This cold weather is slowing down the curing process, a few more coats of Tru-Oil and I'll be sending this ole pal off to VA and its new home. I've also done qiute a bit on Purpledragon's all redwood stockset, a few sanding sessions and it will also be ready to ship.

When I get both of those projects done, I'll get to work on a stock for my soon to be new .280 Rem, And as 6x5 mentioned I'll be making it with our last remaining Redwood stock blank ( we'll be taking a trip down into Calif for more Redwood Burl soon ) to match my other long barrel, my .25-06 Rem.

ElkSlayer6x5 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 24, 2012, 09:24:52 AM »

I wet the blank to show its features, picture just dose not compare to what it turly shows. It has golden high light that change in the light

Blank is 2 1/4 thick, Im planing on doing a palm swell... center line has be marked and it now time to drill the hole