Fabricating rifle stocks

Khalnath

Khalnath

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Vancouver, BC, People's Republic of Kanadialand
Does anyone have a good source of knowledge on how to build rifle stocks? I'm looking at buying a TOZ-78 .22 bolt action, but they aren't common enough to have after market stocks available, and I'm too big a boy to want to use a typical midget-sized rimfire stock. I'm also not prepared to spend two to three times the cost of the rifle on a professional custom stock. :)

I prefer fibreglass, but if you have other suggestions, I'm listening.
 
You could always add spacers to the butt to get the right length.
Build up the midget sized parts of the gun with bondo or fiberglass.
It may look like a Red Green special, but if it shoots and fits you, who cares?
 
maynard said:
You could always add spacers to the butt to get the right length.
Build up the midget sized parts of the gun with bondo or fiberglass.
It may look like a Red Green special, but if it shoots and fits you, who cares?
Click to expand...


Do this, and then send it to Skullboy for a kick ass paint job. With the proper fiberglass job, and finished into nice contours to fit you like a glove, it may turn into one of your best shooters, and look the part too.
 
I'm familiar with Skullboy's work. I have an M14 stock painted by him. Very nice.

However, *I* will still know that it's a frankenstock. I may end up going this route in the end, but it's NOT what I'm asking about. :)

I'm looking for information on how to make a complete new stock, not modify my existing one.
 
If you build up the perfect stock then make a fibre glass mold that seems like a good start. I wanted to do this with a target 308 P14 but I am so messy with fibreglass and I would want an accessory rail etc molding in with the stock as well as othe rgoodies. maybe one day I will have the time!
 
Ever make fibre glass canoes at school? I missed that class. basically if you make a frankenstein stock to fit and then make a master mould of the exterior It will allow you to build up 2 halves of the stock. I was doing metalwork instead of whatever that class was but I do remember watching it through the windows!
 
The same at my sons school, engineering type classes used a 1/3 of my old school (20 + years ago) and my somn does design tech which is everything even cooking in one classroom. the school is a special drama and arts ####hole now!
I do despair. Try making the stock dummy up first and the advertise for someone who knows how to or perhaps adult education at college can help, I got my welding cert that way (actually I got burnt a lot but I got a certificate!)
 
Stock Making

Why not build up the stock with wood scraps, bondo, whatever and shape it until it fits you perfectly? Then send it off to a stockmaker that has a duplicating pantograph that can cut you out a duplicate in the wood of your choice. You will have to finish it to your taste and some final bedding but it would be a truly custom stock.
There is a fellow on this board on Vancouver Island that offers this service and Trace Scope Repairs in BC advertised this also.
 
Like I said, I'd rather not spend five times the cost of the gun on it's furniture.

Well then, buy a more expensive action then you won't feel so bad about dropping $800- $1000 on a custom stock:D

Look for a drop in stock that will be close and bed the action into it.
 
Anvil said:
Colin_in_Ottawa from this site has a webpage with information about DIY fibreglass stocks. He has published a booklet with a lot of good information in it, probably the type of thing you are looking for.
http://ca.geocities.com/snidey@rogers.com/
Click to expand...

Thank you for being the first person to actually answer my question. I'm going to go check that site out now. :)
 
When I build a stock as a one of, or for a master to make a mold, I use high density styrofoam. It is easily shaped with coarse sandpaper and x-acto knives and cheap.

Get some styrofoam "blanks" and shape the outside of the stock to the dimensions you want, then layup with one layer of fiberglass mat and EPOXY RESIN (most polyester resins will eat styrofoam) Once this is done the stock will be stiff enough to inlet for your action without breaking. Inlet the action giving yourself room to add a couple of layers of mat, then layup again with epoxy and mat to seal the styrofoam. You can then begin adding your layers of fiberglass mat or cloth to build strength in the stock, at this point you can also switch over to polyester resin.

Just keep in mind how many layers you are going to add to the outside of the stock, you want your finished styrofoam blank to be slightly under your ideal finished dimensions. For the inletting you want to be slightly oversize to allow building on the inside.
 
Colin in Ottawa

I know the man, and he is as practical minded as the projects he describes. If it works - he'll tell you.

And yes he was my recommedation to answer your questions before someone beat me to it.

You might take your model stock to the gunshows and poke around the guys' old stocks bins. The fellows almost always have surprises. Maybe there will be one pretty close to your objective, and that will reduce the amount of work you'll face.
 
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