K31 cracked stock

Kurtz

Kurtz

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Durham
Hey guys,
While giving my new (to me) K31 a once over, I noticed a fine split under the butt plate. It appears to come around the side of the butt ever so slightly. I can't make it widen by hand, but if I put the screw in, it does widen ever so slightly. Do I leave it alone or attempt a repair? I could perhaps dowel repair from under the butt plate or try to flow some very liquid glue into the split. Thoughts?
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IMHO, repair it. That crack will spread eventually.

This might not sound good but on cracks like that one, I use CRAZY GLUE, rather than water based wood glue. I used to mix up some acraglas and rub it in by hand.

It was pointed out to me by a friend that CRAZY GLUE will flow readily and completely fill the crack, without any mess. Don't attempt to try to compress it after glueing, that will make a mess.
 
Thanks for the replies. (even you bush1. Soooo looking forward to getting further away from Toronto). bearhunter, your method is what I had in mind. I'm going to experiment with some scrap Beech and some crazy glue mixes before an attempt on the stock. The rifle has cleaned up beautifully and I'm hoping to preserve it as best I can. I unfortunately live in North Oshawa where there are no ranges and no options to shoot unless I drive a couple of hours away so the split certainly won't be spreading from use..... Will update the thread with pictures after repair should it help someone else.
 
Kurtz said:
Thanks for the replies. (even you bush1. Soooo looking forward to getting further away from Toronto). bearhunter, your method is what I had in mind. I'm going to experiment with some scrap Beech and some crazy glue mixes before an attempt on the stock. The rifle has cleaned up beautifully and I'm hoping to preserve it as best I can. I unfortunately live in North Oshawa where there are no ranges and no options to shoot unless I drive a couple of hours away so the split certainly won't be spreading from use..... Will update the thread with pictures after repair should it help someone else.
Click to expand...

That split isn't from use, it's caused by the wood shrinking around the screw and checking because the screw won't compress.
 
I repaired cracks like this before; I think you are in a very good position to repair this as it is accessible under the butt plate.

First, open up the crack and blow some air to get rid of dust as much as you can.

Use a low viscosity wood glue and inject through that screw hole. You'll need to achieve a good seal around the screw hole. Try to open up the crack little bit while injecting the glue. Ideally you would want it to ooze out though out the length of the crack on the side.

Once you think you've reached all corners, apply pressure while cleaning the extra coming out. I would use couple wires parallel to each other, while protecting the wood finish, to apply that pressure instead of a vise.
 
Drill a small hole on either side of the crack, then join them with a groove . Inject glass bedding [not wood glue or crazy glue] into the crack and holes then insert fence staple.This is how you properly repair a crack to prevent it ever spreading and it's out of sight under the butt plate. Harold
 
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