Checkering-How difficult?

[greenrivers]

Just curious as to how many have successfully tried checkering either rifle or revolver grips. I have found that I prefer revolver grips checkered and before buying a set of tools thought I would ask.
Thanks for the help!
 

[Bigeasy]

I tried it a couple times on old military stocks I had.  Second one came out decent, but nothing to show off...  Used a Dem Bart kit.  I think the real question you have to ask yourself is do you have patience, and like doing detail work?  If your the kind of guy who enjoys sitting at a table for hours and building a detailed model, you will probably do a good job checkering with a little practice.  Good work takes a lot of time and concentration.  Buy a checkering kit (not to much $), and try it on an old stock.  I have a Mark X Mauser I restocked in pretty Carlo walnut last year that I am going to have to send out to get checkered, just don't trust myself to do a really nice job of it...
 
Larry

[gunnut69]

I always reccomend the book 'Checkering and Carving Gunstocks' by Monte Kennedy. Its a good read even if you never take up the work. There are mini articles from the old time pros like Tom Shellhammer.. 'ole scratch'.. Plus the escentials are there if you wish to take up the taask of checkering a gunstock. The details of good design are there, such as the golden perportion "3 1/2 to 1" which is the size we're going to make our diamonds.. There are also details of patterns used by the big name people in this field. I did a riflestock for a friend in the 'Ace-of-Hearts'  pattern.. It's a real bear but makes a wonderful pattern.. Checkering a pistol grip isnt' too bad as the material is fairly flat but revolver stocks with their compound curving planes are much more difficult. Learning to keep the stock and tool at the same attitude at all times nearly requires a checkering cradle though my first was done freehand. Perhaps a mini-article on checkering would be in order..how say you all??

[RaySendero]

I always reccomend the book 'Checkering and Carving Gunstocks' by Monte Kennedy. Its a good read even if you never take up the work. .....

Thx gun, I ordered me a copy today!

[Dirt Bag]

  For sure on getting the book...... and a starter set of tools won't set you back much. For us, checkering has always been mostly about keeping the concentrarion going long enough to see it finished. Guess you have to do it for the love of it. Would venture to say that most anyone could do it, but very few actually WILL. Like so many things, you get out of it what you put into it.
  Gunut,... I for one, would like to see a thread on checkering. Would try to contribute what we could. And again, thank you for the time you spend answering questions and helping as many as you do.
                                  Good luck Green......
                                                                           D.B.

[wallypedal]

Everything everyone said already...I am self-taught over quite a few years. The first few attempts were disasters, but I stuck with it,(and ended up with some slightly slimmer stocks!)  Patience, concentration, and liking detail work are critical. A comfortable place to work, some sort of cradle or holder for pistol grips, good controllable lighting, sharp tools, recognizing grain differences are parts of it. Layout and maintaining straight lines while going over curved surfaces are key also!
Lately, I like working in a darkened room and using a headlamp and a small side light all with the idea of creating shadow and silhouette in the lines and points - direct light hides inconsistency and developing problems.
Yeah, a thread would be fun.    Wallypedal