inlaying a plaqe in a stock

[levi joseph]

I have purchased a remington mdl 700 bdl for my son in place of a class ring. This is what he requested. I would like to have a plaqe placed in the stock. Not a very big one maybe 3"x1"with a special inscription on it from me and his mother. I think this would make the rifle all the more special  for him. . Does anyone have any suggestions on a way of doing this. I am a generally good at working with my hands and I think I can do it. Just trying to figure out what would be the best way of going about it. All suggestions and comments welcome .

Thanks Levi

[gunnut69]

Well I've done quite a few muzzle loaders and inlays are common in that venue. First I'd stay away from square. It's easier to make the inlat perhaps but the corners will give you fits. I prefer nicklesilver(german silver) as it doesn't tarnish as will silver. Inlay it first and have the engraving done after. I have used nails and screws to retain the inlay and have even installed 'blind' screws.. The blind screws were soldered to the back of the inlay after it was fitted into the wood. Oversized holes were drilled for the holes and then the inlet and the holes were filled with slow set epoxy. The inlay had already been carefully degreased and was installed. The epoxy hardened and the screws will hold like iron. Install the plate, then draw file/sand it flat.. Polish starting with steel wool. Use epoxy to ensure a perfect fit.

[LRB]

I would suggest sterling silver instead of nickel. Nickel silver is just tacky, and whoever does the engraving will thank you. The screws in epoxy is good. Shape the inlay, set it in place with superglue in a couple of spots away from the edges. Use very small drops. Then do a careful scribe around the inlay. Remove it and cut out the wood inside the scribe. Get the inlay set in the cutout so that a few thousanths are proud above level, then epoxy in place. When the epoxy is dry file down to the wood, then sand and polish. If you confine the epoxy to where it does not squeeze out of the edges, and you end up with small gaps, the silver can be carefully hammered to fill. Another plus for real silver. You will have to refinish the area around this, If you want a very good job of the inletting.

[wncchester]

I'd try to  inlay a small medallion into the grip cap.  That would make the touch-up of the stock finish MUCH easier.  Use black epoxy to secure it, the squeeze out would not show.  I doubt that screws would be needed but they would certainly make it a strong inlay.

The worst problem you will face is trying to cut the mortise too fast.  Take your time and fit the edges carefully.  Once you cut the outline to depth you can remove the rest of the stock pretty fast with a Dremel tool but be VERY careful not to damage the mortise edges. 

Should be fun for you as well as meaningful to the lad.

[mjbgalt]

on a BDL, you have a nice-sized floorplate. i have seen engravings and initials and such on those before and if they are done well, they look really classy.

Maybe something along those lines?

-Matt

[gunnut69]

That's a great idea!  Perhaps a local jewler would make a set of iniitials with a coupl of small rivets  soldered to the back.. Simply drill the correct sized holes and peen the rivets over carefully.. No refinishing needed!

[gnoahhh]

Another trick is to make the mortise a few thousandths smaller than the inlay (like 1/2 a pencil line) and slightly under cut  the edges. Then, undercut the edges of the inlay also. When you seat it into the mortise you'll get a whisper of a crush fit with no gaps.

If I may make another suggestion, do a trial run on a piece of scrap first.

Just my 2.8cents (what it costs the mint to make two pennies)

[gunnut69]

I've built a lot of muzzle loaders and inlaying while it looks simple it does have a few tricks. Any mating of metal and wood is easier if the metal has a bit of draft. I even use the technique on trigger guard and such..

[levi joseph]

I like the floorplate idea !! My father was old time country preacher before he passed away last april and the church he pastored bought him a marlin 30-30 and had a plaqe inlayed in it back in the early 70's I now have this rifle and it is one of my most prized possions. Thats where i got the idea for my sons rifle. I do belive that I will look into having the floorplate engraved. thanks for all the input guys. 

levi