Gun Stock Refinishing

Repairs to some damaged checkering on a forend prior to some re-finishing. The first step is to make a simple cradle to guide the miniature router. The bit is traversed along the damage and then a piece of walnut is glued into the grove and allowed to dry. It's then levelled off flush with the surrounding surface after which the existing checkering lines are extended through the new wood. Finally the the forend is stained and prepared for an oil finish. More to follow.

Here's an interesting one. The stock of this air rifle was damaged with an unsightly dent on one side so the owner tried to disguise the fact by routing out both sides to maintain a degree of symmetry. He wasn't too pleased with the result so I filled the slots back in and extended the existing grip panels to incorporate the modifications. The panels had been laser cut and to add texture instead of checkering they looked like they had been sand blasted. I don't have the equipment to duplicate the same procedure so had to rely on good old hand tools, patience and few pipes fulls of to***co. I think it turned out reasonably well.

British army 1918 SMLE 303 with a missing piece behind the bolt handle. After removing the action a new piece of wood was added and then shaped to match. Some distressing took place to mimic the rest of the stock, and it was then water stained and finished off with a few coats of shellac and oil followed a few days later with dark tan shoe polish.

Oiling underway.

Darkening the checkering this morning. Oiling tomorrow.

Before the oiling process can begin the new work has to be colour matched and blended in with the existing woodwork. I don't like using brushes for this as too much goes on or the act of brushing removes or damages soft layers underneath whilst I'm still applying the colour. Also the lines between new and old finish are too abrupt with a brush. To avoid these shortcomings I prefer to use an air brush powered from the workshop compressor.

Roughing out the checkering on both sides of the extension. These are the first few passes.

Next part of this project is adding some checkering to the hand grip extension. First one side and then the other.

Here's an unusual project, the customers barrel came loose in the carry case and left a very deep scratch and divot on the underside of the stock. Too deep to fill or disguise so we decided to put in a decorative patch. He also has had a few problems with the grip, so whilst it's in the shop it was decided to extend the grip and customise the gun to his particular needs. You see the project part way through.

The finished article. New checkering panels, recoil pad hand grip extension, a beech stock stained with walnut water stain and finished with boiled linseed oil and then after curing gunstock wax.

Working for the last few days on a beechwood air rifle. An adjustable recoil pad has been fitted, a short decorative extension to the pistol grip and some additional checkering to the forend which isn't quite complete yet. Plenty of fresh coffee beans and fine pipe to***co has gone into this one.

Saturday morning in the workshop. A little filling before oiling.