what should i do!!!!! stock options

Looking good, I like how you are going for an innovative design. Please be careful with that circular saw and any other power tools, they
speed things up but greatly increase the risk of injury because of all the bends and curves that are being formed. Perhaps you could
use someone's band saw for the major cutting out and buy a draw-knife for the major shaping? A clamping table or bench vise is a must!
 
I'm a framer so I work with these tools every day. I've done things with them you wouldn't even dread of doing.
I kinda mashed a few designs together that I liked and I'm custom making adjustment risers with a machinist I know. The entire project is a learning curve.
 
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Fore arm
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Pistol grip
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Partially carved buttstock
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Accidentally put the template upside down.. Fixing that tomorrow
 
Turkish or Circassion walnut would be my choice... just don't forget to bring your wallet or line of credit cheques!

A solid but generally plain alternative is Birch or European Beechwood.

Looking great so far!! :)
 
Looks like you're already learning a lot of important lessons on these trial runs. That's what it's all about! In particular study pictures of other similar stocks. And of these some of the Anschutz stocks of this style. Look at the way the hand cut outs are done. If you run into a possible issue of the short grain runs around the pistol grip where you highly relieve the thumb area then consider a vertical cross grain bolt up through the pistol grip as a reinforcement.

Use the rough trial stock(s) to also work on your own eye for symmetry. I'm seeing a bit of lopsidedness in a couple of the end views. I'd also be inclined to glue a couple of pieces together and then run the block through a bandsaw so you're working with a true 2 inch thickness like you'll have with the zebrawood. That way you can get a more accurate feel for shaping the adjustable cheek rest and even trial fit the riser mechanisms.

But other than these niggles you're doing great!
 
Looks good i am going to be doing the same thing as you are soon. I have a 12' x 12" x3" piece of Black Walnut sitting at my shop i will be cutting to make a couple shotgun stocks. Ill also be doing a trial stock out of spruce to get my design right.
 
BCRider said:
Looks like you're already learning a lot of important lessons on these trial runs. That's what it's all about! In particular study pictures of other similar stocks. And of these some of the Anschutz stocks of this style. Look at the way the hand cut outs are done. If you run into a possible issue of the short grain runs around the pistol grip where you highly relieve the thumb area then consider a vertical cross grain bolt up through the pistol grip as a reinforcement.

Use the rough trial stock(s) to also work on your own eye for symmetry. I'm seeing a bit of lopsidedness in a couple of the end views. I'd also be inclined to glue a couple of pieces together and then run the block through a bandsaw so you're working with a true 2 inch thickness like you'll have with the zebrawood. That way you can get a more accurate feel for shaping the adjustable cheek rest and even trial fit the riser mechanisms.

But other than these niggles you're doing great!
Click to expand...

ive already bought zebrawood. its goin on a 243 so im not too worried about the pistol grip breaking, and i have lots of wood in the pistol grip to hold the recoil. i was thinking about putting a rod in it but it kinda seems pointless right now, i might have to look into it more later.
im working with a machinist from church to custom build the adjustment hardwear. its going to be fun.
i cheated a little on my trial stock. instead of making it a true 2x8, i moved the template over a 1/4 inch today and carved the contour of the buttstock. ill try get pictures up tonight yet
 
I'm keeping tuned to see the results as well. I've built two laminate stocks almost entirely myself from live trees but never from a solid billet of wood. The latter of course requires greater care in selection and curing. Anyway, Bob Fortier is someone who should be heard closely on the matter of stock making.

Woods of North America are what I've tried to keep foremost as my choice... call me nostalgic. American Beech is a viable alternative not yet mentioned, but is a rather plain wood when plain sawn: I have yet to quarter saw a log (quartersawing tends to expose more detail in the wood, and the result of the extra effort and cost is greater stability) of this variety to make any statement about improved appearance but it is strong either way and not terribly heavy.

Whatever your choice, the experience is enjoyable.
 
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Leveled for drill press work
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1/2 holes for aluminum pillars and recoil lug pocket. Look how square that cut is!!! I impressed myself :p
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Adjustable cheek piece cut out, started the inletting for the adjustment hardwear
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Everything's laid out. Just to remove wood... Started on it today and it is taking quite some time. Patience is being learned.
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Barreled action in stock (not final position. It's got to go in another quarter inch.
That was six hours in a fully equipped shop. There was a lot of hand work and measuring (double and triple checking) had a few odd things happen I wasn't expecting but nothing I can't hide/glass bed over.
 
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Adjustable cheek piece. Did a bunch of the machining myself with help from an actual machinist. It's complete but this was after the first morning.
 
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