Gun stock making and checkering.

I’m thinking about doing a course in gunstock checkering. I’ve been messing around with making stocks and I’d like to be able to checker them as well. Plus, I guess I’ve always been fascinated with this particular part of gun-making.

I think I’ll invest in the recommended starter set of tools after Christmas and try some basic checkering on practice blanks and see how it goes. I bought a couple of books and I’ve at least got the fundamentals of layout and basic designs down.

I was fooling around with making a new benchrest stock for my Contender pistol. I was just practicing on a lower grade piece of walnut, but it turned out so well that I finished it. I’d love to add checkering sometime after a bit of practice on blanks.

Just curious if anyone out there has done any stock making or checkering? Be interested to hear your experiences.

Grouse

Grouse, I’ve never checkered a rifle or pistol stock, but I have done baluster restoration on a number of old historical homes, cue sticks, and a few walking sticks/canes. Principal is the same, though design and cut dimensions can vary a lot.

I strongly recommend getting hardwood dowels to learn/practice on. Its relatively easy to draw/lay out the pattern on flat stock. But when you apply it to the curve, its very easy to drift off and have a “twist” look in the diamonds.

I caught Larry’s video from midway USA. he makes it look so simple but having ALL the correct knives and picks does make it easier to do a great job.

Another concept idea for you. If your into automation and have access to a CNC machine, your possibilities are endless. Every year at various ranges I meet guys that have made their own stocks with some pretty incredible details to them