Stock making from scratch-Part 1 lots of pics.

[marlinman93]

This will be long and drawn out, as it takes time between steps waiting for things to dry. I'm in the process of building a set of stocks for my double gun project, and thought I'd take some pictures to describe how I do it. Not sure how others do it, but this has been my method. I start by building the stocks from the inside out. This way I can fit pieces next to the action and barrel, rather than carving out a stock and then cutting in the inletting.

I start by covering the entire area with good quality plastic wrap. Tape it in a couple places to keep it in place:


Next I get some soft fir or other wood that is easily cut and shaped. I fit the wood in pieces around the metal, and glue the pieces together with Gorilla glue. Don't worry about a perfect fit, as that will be the last step before sanding:

The forearm will be done in 4 pieces. Three for the bottom, and one for the tip:

The buttstock will end up being a lot of small pieces and one large piece:

Tape and rubber bands work well to hold it all together while the glue sets up:

On this project Im using a donor stock (old Marlin 27) so I wont have to carve all the shape. I want a cheekpiece, so I cut one out on the band saw and glued it on. The screws will be removed when the glue sets up:


When all this dries I'll attach the stock to the pieces already fitted, fill in some more piecees, and then final fit the wood to the action using plain old body filler. I'll also mold in the cheekpiece and buttstock using the same. When it's done I'll have a perfect pattern to send to the duplicator. That's all for now!

[Andrew]

Pretty cool idea. I would like to build a stock from scratch some time just to add something to the ol/ bag of tricks.

[Chuck 100 yd]

That is a lot of work no matter how you go about it.
I use Bondo also to create a different shape on a donor stock.

I suggest if you are going to use a very high grade piece of wood that you cut pattern stock out of cheep wood made as a copy of your patern you are making. It can be fitted to the gun without worry of close inletting and any changes made you want then Glass bed the new pattern to your gun. Now you have an accurate pattern to use when cutting that valuable piece of walnut you have been hording.

The duplicator in the picture is one I made and have in my shop In Ridgefield Wa. Iwould let you use it to make your pattern if you want.
I am also a gun tinkerer so like to be of help if I can. Chuck

[Ysabel Kid]

Wow! This is going to be a fascinating project to follow!

[AJMD429]

The duplicator in the picture is one I made and have in my shop In Ridgefield Wa. Iwould let you use it to make your pattern if you want.
I am also a gun tinkerer so like to be of help if I can. Chuck

If you ever wanted to write up something on how you made the duplicator, I'm sure forum members would really like that! Most of us don't have the skills to build one, but it would still be of interest, and in my case I have a friend who is a welder and another who is a machinist, so perhaps I could talk them into building "us" one .

[Chuck 100 yd]

AJMD429 , That is an idea. Pictures are worth 1000 words as they say.
Maybe I can post a few pictures with fewer words. I built it using linear bearings and shafting as guides. That is a very accurate way to guide the router but is dificult to operate (requires too much muscle) and is very expensive to build. Dont get me wrong, It works well but I plan to modify the design when I get time to make it like most duplicators that have a track on each side with a simple wheel that rolls along like a rail cars wheels.

Enough of ME! This is Vall`s thread!

[marlinman93]

Thanks Chuck! I might just take you up on that offer! I presently send my stuff off to a friend to duplicate, but it costs us shipping each way, and a long wait time in the mail back and forth. I've got a piece of walnut for this project that's pretty decent, but not presentation grade. I found a trigger guard at the gun show today, so that was the only metal missing I needed.
Also got the donor buttstock fitted, so now it's ready for the bondo and more pictures.-Vall