All-New: Type 81M

Looks very easy and cheap as well!
Thanks.

Chemical stripper is just the first step in getting the factory finish off. Just be sure to not scrape the surface when getting all the stain off. You will still need to sand to a smooth surface, precondition the wood, raise the grain - then stain (or oil/shellac/tung oil/BLO) or stain w/another sealing finish on top.

Lots of videos on youtube with good ideas.

Shellac is so easy to use, fast drying, easy to fix/cover up... almost fool proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSPznpLdR2Y&t=17s

My first couple attempts at refinishing stocks were terrible... less is more if you are starting out and Beech isn't easy to work with. Worst stuff I worked with was Polyshades, which is a product that has stain and polyurethane together. It's similar to what these factories spray on the wood before assembly, a stain/poly mix to get them dry fast and out the door to get assembled.
 
I used that with 3 coats on my original import fixed stock. Flexible scraper afterwards then very light sanding with 220 grit. Minwax Classic Espresso stain (1 coat), then 4 coats Minwax Antique Oil, 24 hours in between coats.

Last coat just applied today with superfine steel wool.

Will probably be doing this to the under folder that's shipping soon

FYI it was HuskyDude's work in another thread that got me onto this method/colour.


That looks pretty good, like the colour. Bare wood must have been very light.

Is the UHG hard to get off the gas tube? I used to take all my VZ handguards off the tube... then again, I cracked one before.
 
Oh it's beech? No wonder why I couldn't bring much of the grain out unlike my catalpa T56 SKS.

20240322_135928.jpg


Anyways here's mine. Stained it with a blend of Varathane red mahogany and gunstock after fully stripped with finish remover and mineral spirits. Currently applying a BLO/Truoil finish.

Since lighting could be skewed, here's my handguard side by side with a run-of-the-mill Soviet Arctic Birch SKS wood stock under the same lighting:
20240322_023055.jpg
 
Beech always looks blotchy, doesn't take stain well, not much grain... it's very cheap to use and that's why they put it on many combloc rifles.

Even my $900 Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U has a beautiful Walnut stock, but that's a traditional thing for O/U shotguns. Beech is correct for most combloc rifles.

Funny that the thread has turned into an anti-orange wood refinishing subject Laugh2
 
That looks pretty good, like the colour. Bare wood must have been very light.

Is the UHG hard to get off the gas tube? I used to take all my VZ handguards off the tube... then again, I cracked one before.

Bare wood was darker than pine.

I left the metal gas tube cover on the UHG as I could not see any way to take it off without bending metal. Lots of painters tape.....

The Antique oil leaves a nice matte finish
 
Oh it's beech? No wonder why I couldn't bring much of the grain out unlike my catalpa T56 SKS.

20240322_135928.jpg


Anyways here's mine. Stained it with a blend of Varathane red mahogany and gunstock after fully stripped with finish remover and mineral spirits. Currently applying a BLO/Truoil finish.

Since lighting could be skewed, here's my handguard side by side with a run-of-the-mill Soviet Arctic Birch SKS wood stock under the same lighting:
20240322_023055.jpg

lets see it back on the gun please!!
 
Just received my underfolder, but pretty sure it has some factory defects. Underfolder is either bent from the factory or designed like this to clear the safety? Scratches the wood and some wobble in the stock when it's "locked" open. Emailed Ti to ask if this is all normal.
https://imgur.com/a/R3HKanB
 
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Gotta admit, I'm jealous you guys who ordered after me got it before me. Ordered day one, RCMP letter and still no shipping update. 27###. Anyone else waiting too? Located in BC
 
Gotta admit, I'm jealous you guys who ordered after me got it before me. Ordered day one, RCMP letter and still no shipping update. 27###. Anyone else waiting too? Located in BC

no exact same as you, got rcmp verification, first day ordered in BC, no shipping confirmation..
 
Order 27### delivered to my door this morning, the fixed buttstock seems to sit at a weird height almost like it was designed with a hi-rise mount in mind. Otherwise no cosmetic issues with mine, barrel is straight, stock is straight, action mobes well. Ive heard its a pain in the ass to change the furniture on these so well see how that goes.

I think it was designed with a Chinese face in mind.
 
starting to wonder on mark up? how much does it cost to make these?

Not apple to apples but closest o could find,
“As of 2014, Kalashnikov Concern sells the AK-103 at a government price of $150 to $160 (USD) per unit. There are places around the world where an AK-47 type rifle can be purchased on the Black Market "for as little as $6, or traded for a chicken or a sack of grain."

so probably cheaper than that even, half a chicken?
 
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