Checkering tools

TheGrandEnigma

TheGrandEnigma

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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Hey folks,

I'm looking for checkering tools, but I haven't found anywhere online to get them. Literally nowhere. Any pro/hobbyist smiths out there have a source to get a starter kit (or are selling your own tools)?

I'm not interested in getting into it professionally or anything. Just want to try my hand at it.
 
You can contact dem-bart directly, but they are about as old school as some hillbillies that live up in the mountains. They need you to send a cheque or money order, but have shipping figured out or whatever.
 
TheGrandEnigma said:
Hey folks,

I'm looking for checkering tools, but I haven't found anywhere online to get them. Literally nowhere. Any pro/hobbyist smiths out there have a source to get a starter kit (or are selling your own tools)?

I'm not interested in getting into it professionally or anything. Just want to try my hand at it.
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I sent you a PM.
 
Also looking for same.

Anyone have a spare set they’d part with? Not looking to go commercial. But want to try to freshen up some family pieces .

Seems like something I could enjoy!
 
Almost every checkering pattern you will see is cut with 90° cutters. Someone may correct me on this, but I think the 60° are only used for borders.

There's an online store called Woodcraft that stocks gunline tools.
Brownell's will ship to Canada, but finding them in stock is a challenge.
UJ Ramelson sells carbide tools, but they're awfully expensive if you're only doing a stock or two.
 
KV woodworking stocks a few cutters snd tools I believe.

Ime, if you’re looking to get serious about it, best to jump into quality cutters from the start. Recently upgraded to tools from Ullman precision in the states, tools are crazy $$$, but the usability and quality is night and day.

The dem barts or gunline are great ones to get a guy started though.

Ime, I like to scratch in my lines with a 60, but then do my deepening with a 90. I’m still learning myself, so can’t say it’s the right way, just what’s been working for me.
 
With the right pitch checkering file to set the edge of the tool, would a piece of 1095 or O1 rod filed to shape with a good harden hold an edge as a basic checkering tool? Not looking for anything fancy, just something for touch ups or to do some baseline experiments without a huge investment.
 
The_Shmoo said:
With the right pitch checkering file to set the edge of the tool, would a piece of 1095 or O1 rod filed to shape with a good harden hold an edge as a basic checkering tool? Not looking for anything fancy, just something for touch ups or to do some baseline experiments without a huge investment.
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Make it nicely and harden and temper it... it will last a long time. the biggest problem is not burning off a fine edge when heat treating it.
 
The_Shmoo said:
With the right pitch checkering file to set the edge of the tool, would a piece of 1095 or O1 rod filed to shape with a good harden hold an edge as a basic checkering tool? Not looking for anything fancy, just something for touch ups or to do some baseline experiments without a huge investment.
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There is a couple gun-smithing books here - one is written by Clyde Baker circa 1933 - also two volumes by James Virgil Howe circa 1934 - both books presumed a certain amount of know-how to form and harden steel (to draw temper to make leaf springs!!!) and make your own tools to do various tasks with rifles - like checkering. I think both books mention making or using a bent file as a "clean up" or veining tool - so you are on the correct track, I think. Both books seem to make a big deal about having or making a proper checkering cradle to hold the stock to work on it - I presume those old guys knew what they were talking about.
 
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An old retired gunsmith told meet to get old stocks, cracked, doesn’t matter to practice on
You are learning to deal with the shape of the various gun stocks and the cutting of the old patterns
 
I'm not a good mentor for checkering. I don't make my own cutters.

I'm not patient enough for the job.

I do the very odd stock, for myself only or clean up existing checkering.

However, I started learning how to handle the cutters on bits of scrap hardwood of different types from one of the local shops.

I would suggest that you start with something that only requires ''straight'' lines. The fancy stuff is about three levels up from there.

If you aren't blessed with that special kind of patience and good eyesight to take on tedious work, don't get upset if you find it isn't your bag.

I had a girlfriend about 40 years ago that was one of the best stock finishers and checkerers that I have seen. She was a master at inletting and had, what appeared to me to be the most awkward stance while working on a stock, mounted in a checkering cradle allowed the stock to be adjusted to the best possible position for ease of cutting.

That lady had PATIENCE. Don Robinson who was a great stock maker in his time used to send special orders to her and that's saying something. He always paid well.

We parted ways and she ended up drowning a few years later during a canoe trip on the McKenzie River. Sad, talented and lovely as well as being a wilderness freak. I really liked her. Just couldn't handle the ''work only when you absolutely had to" lifestyle.
 
Potashminer said:
There is a couple gun-smithing books here - one is written by Clyde Baker circa 1933 - also two volumes by James Virgil Howe circa 1934 - both books presumed a certain amount of know-how to form and harden steel (to draw temper to make leaf springs!!!) and make your own tools to do various tasks with rifles - like checkering. I think both books mention making or using a bent file as a "clean up" or veining tool - so you are on the correct track, I think. Both books seem to make a big deal about having or making a proper checkering cradle to hold the stock to work on it - I presume those old guys knew what they were talking about.
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Find a copy of Gun Stock Checkering and Carving, by Mont Kennedy. Aside from showing a great deal on layout and patterns, there is a fair bit of info on making your own cutters inside.

When I last saw fit to muck with the stuff, the replacement cutters were a couple bucks each from DemBart (a while back), so I made handles out of worn out screwdrivers. Hacksaw a slot, file a curve to match the radius on the cutter, drill a cross pin hole, and yer in business!
 
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