HuntingNut
HuntingNut
   Login or Register
HomeCommunity ForumsPhoto AlbumsRegister
     
 

User Info

Welcome Anonymous


Membership:
Latest: RichardZ
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 13126

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 472
BOT: 1
Total: 473
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Your Account
02: Photo Albums
03: Forums
04: Photo Albums
05: Forums
06: Forums
07: Forums
08: Forums
09: Forums
10: Home
11: Forums
12: Forums
13: Forums
14: Your Account
15: Forums
16: Forums
17: Forums
18: Your Account
19: Forums
20: Forums
21: Photo Albums
22: Your Account
23: Forums
24: Forums
25: Forums
26: Forums
27: Home
28: Your Account
29: Photo Albums
30: Forums
31: Forums
32: Forums
33: Forums
34: Forums
35: Your Account
36: Home
37: Photo Albums
38: Your Account
39: Forums
40: Forums
41: Your Account
42: Forums
43: Forums
44: Forums
45: Forums
46: Forums
47: Home
48: Forums
49: Forums
50: Photo Albums
51: Forums
52: Your Account
53: Forums
54: Forums
55: Your Account
56: Forums
57: Forums
58: Forums
59: Forums
60: Forums
61: Forums
62: Forums
63: Forums
64: Forums
65: Forums
66: Forums
67: Forums
68: Forums
69: News
70: Forums
71: Your Account
72: Home
73: Forums
74: Home
75: Your Account
76: Forums
77: Home
78: Forums
79: Photo Albums
80: Forums
81: Forums
82: Forums
83: Forums
84: Forums
85: Forums
86: Forums
87: Forums
88: Forums
89: Home
90: Forums
91: Forums
92: Home
93: Home
94: Forums
95: Forums
96: Your Account
97: Your Account
98: Home
99: Forums
100: Forums
101: Photo Albums
102: Forums
103: Forums
104: Photo Albums
105: Forums
106: Forums
107: Forums
108: Home
109: Forums
110: Forums
111: Home
112: Home
113: Forums
114: Forums
115: Forums
116: Forums
117: Your Account
118: Forums
119: Forums
120: Photo Albums
121: Photo Albums
122: Forums
123: Forums
124: Forums
125: Your Account
126: Forums
127: Forums
128: Forums
129: Forums
130: Forums
131: Forums
132: Forums
133: Home
134: Photo Albums
135: Forums
136: Forums
137: Forums
138: Home
139: Forums
140: Forums
141: Forums
142: Your Account
143: Forums
144: Forums
145: Home
146: Forums
147: Forums
148: Forums
149: Photo Albums
150: Forums
151: Forums
152: Photo Albums
153: Forums
154: Forums
155: Forums
156: Forums
157: Your Account
158: Your Account
159: Forums
160: Forums
161: Forums
162: Forums
163: Forums
164: Forums
165: Forums
166: Forums
167: Forums
168: Forums
169: Forums
170: Forums
171: Forums
172: Forums
173: Forums
174: Forums
175: Forums
176: Forums
177: Photo Albums
178: Forums
179: Forums
180: Forums
181: Forums
182: Your Account
183: Forums
184: Forums
185: Forums
186: Forums
187: Forums
188: Forums
189: PointBlank Online
190: Forums
191: Forums
192: Home
193: Forums
194: Forums
195: Forums
196: Forums
197: Forums
198: Forums
199: Forums
200: Forums
201: Your Account
202: Your Account
203: Forums
204: Forums
205: Home
206: Photo Albums
207: Forums
208: Photo Albums
209: Forums
210: Forums
211: Your Account
212: Your Account
213: Forums
214: Forums
215: Forums
216: Your Account
217: Photo Albums
218: Photo Albums
219: Your Account
220: Forums
221: Forums
222: Forums
223: Forums
224: Forums
225: Home
226: Forums
227: Forums
228: Forums
229: Forums
230: Forums
231: Forums
232: Forums
233: Forums
234: Home
235: Home
236: Forums
237: Forums
238: Photo Albums
239: Forums
240: Forums
241: Forums
242: Forums
243: Forums
244: Forums
245: Forums
246: Forums
247: Forums
248: Forums
249: Your Account
250: Forums
251: Forums
252: Forums
253: Forums
254: Forums
255: Forums
256: Forums
257: Forums
258: Forums
259: Your Account
260: Photo Albums
261: Forums
262: Photo Albums
263: Forums
264: Forums
265: Forums
266: Forums
267: Home
268: Forums
269: Your Account
270: Forums
271: Forums
272: Statistics
273: Forums
274: Forums
275: Forums
276: Forums
277: Your Account
278: Forums
279: Photo Albums
280: Forums
281: Forums
282: Forums
283: Forums
284: Forums
285: Home
286: Forums
287: Forums
288: Home
289: Forums
290: Forums
291: Your Account
292: Forums
293: Forums
294: Forums
295: Your Account
296: Your Account
297: Your Account
298: Forums
299: Home
300: Home
301: Forums
302: Forums
303: Home
304: Forums
305: Home
306: Home
307: Forums
308: Forums
309: Forums
310: Home
311: Forums
312: Forums
313: Forums
314: Forums
315: Forums
316: Your Account
317: Home
318: Forums
319: Forums
320: Your Account
321: Photo Albums
322: Forums
323: Forums
324: News
325: Forums
326: Forums
327: Home
328: Forums
329: Forums
330: Forums
331: Forums
332: Forums
333: Forums
334: Your Account
335: Forums
336: Forums
337: Forums
338: Forums
339: Forums
340: Forums
341: Your Account
342: Forums
343: Forums
344: Forums
345: Your Account
346: Home
347: Photo Albums
348: Home
349: Forums
350: Photo Albums
351: Forums
352: Forums
353: Forums
354: Forums
355: Home
356: Forums
357: Forums
358: Your Account
359: Photo Albums
360: Forums
361: Photo Albums
362: Forums
363: Forums
364: Home
365: Forums
366: Home
367: Forums
368: Home
369: Forums
370: Forums
371: Forums
372: Your Account
373: Forums
374: Forums
375: Home
376: Your Account
377: Forums
378: Forums
379: Forums
380: Photo Albums
381: Your Account
382: Photo Albums
383: Forums
384: Forums
385: Forums
386: Photo Albums
387: Forums
388: Forums
389: Forums
390: Forums
391: Forums
392: Home
393: Forums
394: Forums
395: Forums
396: Forums
397: Home
398: Your Account
399: Home
400: Forums
401: Photo Albums
402: Forums
403: Photo Albums
404: Your Account
405: Photo Albums
406: Home
407: Forums
408: Forums
409: Forums
410: Forums
411: Home
412: Forums
413: Your Account
414: Photo Albums
415: Forums
416: Home
417: Forums
418: Home
419: Forums
420: Forums
421: Your Account
422: Home
423: Your Account
424: Home
425: Your Account
426: Forums
427: Photo Albums
428: Home
429: Forums
430: Forums
431: Forums
432: Forums
433: Forums
434: Forums
435: Forums
436: Your Account
437: Forums
438: Home
439: Forums
440: Photo Albums
441: Home
442: Home
443: Photo Albums
444: Forums
445: Forums
446: Forums
447: Forums
448: Home
449: Forums
450: Forums
451: Forums
452: Forums
453: Forums
454: Forums
455: Forums
456: Forums
457: Your Account
458: Home
459: Forums
460: Forums
461: Home
462: Your Account
463: Forums
464: Home
465: Forums
466: Photo Albums
467: Home
468: Forums
469: Forums
470: Your Account
471: Forums
472: Forums
  BOT:
01: Photo Albums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
 

Coppermine Stats
Photo Albums
 Albums: 308
 Pictures: 2451
  · Views: 820725
  · Votes: 1316
  · Comments: 86
 

Almost there...
Discussions related to Guns and Firearms
Go to page 1, 2  Next
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
SingleShotLover
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 1005
Location: Illinois

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 8:46 am    Post subject: Almost there... Reply with quote

It’s been a long time in the process, but I’m finally almost finished with my much-delayed project of restocking two of my Ruger #1Bs. The project began about 2006 when I ordered two sets of profiled stock blanks. They were to be about 90% inletted and rough shaped, leaving me with the final inletting, fitting and shaping. I had done this a couple times before with little difficulty and decided that it was time to upgrade two of my Rugers that hadn’t been restocked. The wood arrived and was of the grain and figure quality expected but the project got derailed for a couple of years when I lost a fight with a bench saw while doing some remodeling and nearly cut off my left forefinger. Ten months (and three surgeries) went by before my left hand was even moderately useable. Even more time was lost as I regained strength in that hand, but never having regained use of the finger I also had to train the other fingers to work around it. It still just gets in the way to this day. In about 2008 I finally decided that my hand was as good as it would get and decided to get started. I was in for a big, unpleasant surprise.

Having dealt with this vendor in the past and been happy with his product, once I started the laborious process of fitting the actions to the stocks I was completely shocked to find the poor quality of work that had been done on these two stock sets. The action inletting was sloppy, off-center and over-cut. Tang areas had been cut too wide and long and looked as if the cutter had wandered. Material removed to begin the shaping of the side panels had been done in an asymmetrical manner causing me to have to adjust and reshape from the original design intent. The forearm screw hole, which owing to the unique method of attachment that Ruger uses on these rifles is extremely critical, was drilled at the wrong angle on one set and not even started on the other. Calls to the supplier generated nothing but denials, excuses and anger. Frustrated and furious, I laid everything aside, relegated to a shop drawer and placed in the back of my mind for further thought and fermentation.

Finally getting to the point of feeling guilty that I had $800 worth of wood (2006 prices) lying around not being used, I steeled myself to the task and got at it around Christmas. Working my way through each hurdle and laying everything aside when I got too frustrated or discouraged, I finally got them done. In the process I had to rebuild certain support areas, bridge wood to metal gaps (thank God for AcraGel), re-cut inlets and reshape the profiles to blend profiling errors into a pleasing effect.

Once the fitting of wood to metal had been accomplished I completed the external shaping (lots of rasp work) and sanding. Final finish consists of multiple coats of hand-rubbed oil (somewhere between 8 and 12 – I lost count over the timeframe involved) that filled the pores and added depth to the grain. No stain of filler was used as the oil finish darkened the wood to the hue I wanted, leaving a near 3-D effect without blurring any grain details. Extremely fine steel wool was used to cut the finish between coats. All internal wood and grain ends were coated with a polyurethane finish for better moisture seal.

No the world's best photographer, but here goes:

The first rifle is a .280 Remington that I had originally stocked with a Treebone Carving profiled stock in the late ‘90s. I swapped that stock to my .223 Remington when I decided to stock the .280 in a modified European “stalker” style. The forearm is slimmed and I chose to use a modified schnabel tip that works very well with the grip of my damaged left hand. It is shorter than the typical “B” model forearm so that I could use a more traditional looking barrel band sling swivel. The barrel is fully bedded in the forearm. This rifle can shoot well under an inch for the first three rounds fired as fast as I can load and get proper aim, but as the barrel heats it starts very slightly stringing the group upwards. I know that this could be eliminated by floating the forearm, but since it isn’t really likely that I would ever be presented with the opportunity to fire more than three (if that) rapid shots at game, it doesn’t matter. The stability of the bedded forearm is more important for the use for which this rifle is intended. Normally a hand-rubbed oil finish should be more of a subdued matte, but in order to truly reveal the depth and subtle nuances of the grain on this stock, I finished with several applications of thinned oil to completely level the surface and left the gloss.





The second stock is for a .22-250 Remington and still has a little finishing work to do. I chose to leave the forearm fuller than usual for better support and balance off of sandbags or bipods and installed two sling studs; one for the sling and the other for convenient bi-pod attachment if I wish. The barrel will be floated and the forearm bedded for contact only at the hanger since this rifle shoots better that way and I am far more likely to put more consecutive shots through it than the .280. The finish on this stock will have little gloss since the grain and mineral patterns are bold enough to show without the “3D” effects brought out by a proper gloss finish. Both stocks, by the way, are fitted with blued-steel grip-caps.





Make no mistake; these are using rifles, not wall-hangers. They will not be “babied” in any way other than normal care. I just prefer nice looking wood when possible. That is one of the reasons that I use oil for finishing. Minor mars and scratches can be covered in minutes. Major gouges or other damage would require more extensive repair no matter the finish.

After I give my poor hands a break, I may be tackling the checkering. If I listen to my wife, however, I won’t be checkering. She thinks it would distract from the wood. With the “tacky”-palmed shooting gloves I use, checkering isn’t really necessary for grip and purchase. I guess I’m waiting to see what I decide. While that is happening I am cutting various design templates and taping them to the stocks to see how I like them over a period of time. I really don’t want to choose a pattern and then regret my choice once it is too late.

The Ruger #1 is probably the most difficult, yet rewarding, rifle I have ever stocked due to critical angles, inletting issues and hole alignment requirements. This whole project was made even more difficult by all of the errors introduced by sloppy profiling. I am not going to name the vendor, since I had good luck with them in the past and they now seem to be out of business, but should I choose to do another Ruger #1 in the future I would go back to Treebone Carving for stock sets. I have used their products (twice) on Rugers in the past and though they are more costly, their work has been excellent.

_________________
If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!

The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.

SSL
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:00 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Nice work SSL! The rewards of one's labor of love.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
MacD
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Apr 08, 2011
Posts: 1052
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 3:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

As nice as thry look I bet they feel even better to hold. Your level of craftmanship leaves me with a warm feeling. Thanks for sharing.

_________________
La a'Blair s'math n Cairdean
(Friends are good on the day of battle)
Back to top
View user's profile
Gil Martin
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jan 28, 2005
Posts: 1837
Location: Schnecksville, PA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing. All the best...
Gil

_________________
Gil
Back to top
View user's profile
Ominivision1
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Sep 20, 2010
Posts: 2984
Location: Iowa

PostPosted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Very Nice SSL,

_________________
Regards

Limitations are but boundaries created inside our minds.
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
BigBlue
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jan 16, 2006
Posts: 1108
Location: Lehigh Township, Pennsylvania

PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 4:56 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

You may have lost the use of a finger, but you never lost your art of craftsmanship. Absolutely gorgeous work!
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Suzanne
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jun 27, 2009
Posts: 3323
Location: Eugene, Oregon

PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:37 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Pretty wood! Satisfying to get it done I bet. I've restocked 3 of my rifles with pre-inletted stocks that were about 80% done and it sure makes you appreciate a rifle with tight metal to wood fit. It's also nice to be able to fit the wood to your own hands too. You can make comfort, point-ability and balance changes, but it's a lot of tediousness to get good metal to wood fit, and well worth the effort. You did a great job and I love the cheek pad and schnabel shaping, the wood is really nicely grained too.

Suz

_________________
May the moon keep you centered,
May the sun keep you dancing,
And the stars shed light on your dreams.
Back to top
View user's profile
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:57 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Nice work SSL! The rewards of one's labor of love.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Aloysius
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Nov 03, 2009
Posts: 2438
Location: B., Belgium

PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

SJ, did your thing come too close to RePete again? Or is it living it's own life?

@SSL: I've always been convinced that I had a very nice #1 in my safe, but you made me change my mind with these two sweet rifles. You can be proud with this 9-finger-job. I happen to know a lot of people with more fingers who cannot make such beauties!
And I like them smooth as they are. I would not even think about checkering on such nice wood. What would it improve? Do you still have to convince somebody of your checkering-skills?
Back to top
View user's profile
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 3:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Aloysius wrote:
SJ, did your thing come too close to RePete again? Or is it living it's own life?

Aloys, this is living its own life. Its happened periodically before several times. I can remember figuring out what caused it but I've slept since then. I do do it occasionally to bug Bushy.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Elvis
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jul 27, 2008
Posts: 9239
Location: south island New Zealand

PostPosted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 5:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

very nice. I agree with your better half..forget the checkering.

_________________
You shot it You pluck it !
Them who eats the most duck eats the most feathers!
Back to top
View user's profile
slimjim
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: May 16, 2009
Posts: 8314
Location: Fort Worth TX

PostPosted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:25 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Nice work SSL! The rewards of one's labor of love.

_________________
"To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Aloysius
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Nov 03, 2009
Posts: 2438
Location: B., Belgium

PostPosted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:57 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

SJ, are you sure your equipment has no german Teckle blood in its vains?
It's either this or some Jack Russel's...

Smile
Back to top
View user's profile
Vince
Site Admin
Site Admin


Joined: May 25, 2005
Posts: 15704
Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA

PostPosted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:21 am    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

SSL...you have done an outstanding job on those stocks mate, simply outstanding. Your workmanship is right up their with Deer Sniper.

Like Suz, I love what you have done in shaping the cheek piece and the schnabel forearm. It would have taken you many hours of hard work getting the cheekpiece just right, especially with the fancy border.

Listen to what SWMBO says about the checkering mate, those stocks look beautiful without any fancying. Checkering is a difficult job that can be mucked up easily, spoiling the look of the entire stock...not to say that this would happen, but Murphy's Law... Also, as you say, you have the tacky palm shooting gloves, so realistically, checkering is only cosmetic.

Once again, well done...you have every reason to be proud of what you have produced...especially with a finger disability. Speaking of which, you might even end up doing what my sister-in-law did with her "disabled fingers"...they kept getting in the way, were easily injured and generally made life difficult, so she had them removed.

_________________
Cheers, Vince Cheers

Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done)
Back to top
View user's profile AIM Address MSN Messenger Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
chambered221
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Aug 17, 2007
Posts: 3455
Location: Lost for good !!!

PostPosted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Almost there... Reply with quote

Job well done SSL !!!

_________________
Ask as many people needed, sooner or later your question will be answered the way you want it answered !!!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
~George Washington
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index » Gun & Firearm Discussions
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Valid CSS! Valid HTML 4.01!
Click to check if this page is realy HTML 4.01 compliant for speed :)

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of HuntingNut.com.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2011 by HuntingNut.com
Interactive software released under GNU GPL, Code Credits, Privacy Policy

.: Upgraded to DragonFly 9.2 by *Dizfunkshunal* :.