Appropriate wood species for 858 prototype furnature?

[Kevin M.]

Quick question for other knowlegable woodworkers / Red rifle fans.


I hated the compressed resin handguard that came with my CZ-858, so I had ended picking up a synthetic set. This however, had the wrong feel to it, so I am moving on to the next solution, which basically entails sacrificing a few hours to build my own furnature for it.

Question is, what would the appropriate wood species, stain, and finish be to get it somewhat close to what an AK-47 could look like?

I will keep you guys updated with pics once I start building.

 

[Ike]

Beech, maple, walnut any reasonably stable hardwood would work well. For a different look I am going to make a set out of purpleheart and one out of alder. I also have some cocobolo and a chunk of padauk that would look good as well.

I think AKs have used a lot of different woods but beech and maple are probably pretty standard, someone else could probably elaborate mor than I...

Just be sure to post pics of your work.

 

[Satain]

Cherry Oak
or
Red Mahogany

 

[gun_mike]

Cherry Or Mahogany would be nice.
I tried making a pair out of maple. It was easy to work with. and not to hard either. However staining was a pain in the A$$. I had to sand them down and restart. I ended up using pre-stain wood conditioner.
any ways heres some pics after 2 coats of gunstock from Minwax, and a few coats of semi-gloss poly spray.

Before the stain and poly

mike

 

[PerversPépère]

I would use a block of laminated veneers.
Nice work, BTW, Gun Mike.
PP.

 

[made Man]

You know about the straw that broke the camels back?

Well, my back of furniture is bloody cracked by now.

THIS is furniture

guns have STOCK!

ARRRHGHGHGHGHGH


PS
sorry, one of those things that sets me off. Kinda like mag and clip.

 

[Curtton]

gun mike : how did you make the top handguard?

 

[Woodbeef]

I'm with PP on this one. Make a laminate set and I'll buy it!

 

[Deckard]

I would use a laminate for AK type. I have used oak, but prefer softer woods.

for fun

 

[Spcamno]

gun mike : how did you make the top handguard?

X2.

I am interested to know as well.

 

[Andy]

Tiger-striped hard maple with a nice aniline die.

 

[Paul Morrison]

Since this is a prototype, I recommend birch or ash. Birch is softer than ash. This is a mixed blessing. Its lighter, and easier to work with, but it will break easier. Ash is heavier, but tougher. It will take longer to work, but will allow you to get it right because it won't break everytime you touch it.

Once you get the hang of it, mahogony or walnut. Walnut's really expensive, but hard like ash, looks fantastic.

 

[wood800]

im making my sks proto type stock this weekend, i got some maple to use

 

[gun_mike]

gun mike : how did you make the top handguard?

I glued two pieces of maple together, trimmed it square on the table saw. then mounted it in the 4 jaw chuck on the lathe, drilled a 1" hole down the middle and turned the outside with a slight taper. I cut a section out with the band saw then filled and sanded it to fit the gun. I used the same dimensions as the compressed resin grip (accept for the inside of the U shape which I drilled to 1" because i didn't have a drill bit of .96").

mike