rifle stock checkering

JJ1979 said:
I had looked into the DIY route for checkering. It is a lack of time that directed me to ask this question. I do appreciate all the responses. All of them. I may end up sanding/refinishing the stock, smoothing the existing checkering and applying a textured grip coating. It is a 'utility rifle' but I would still prefer it to not look like a terrible bubbafication job.
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IMHO, you should carry that rifle with pride in your work.

It looks great to me and every time you look at it, it will look better, especially after several outings in the field.
 
hifiwasabi said:
Where would one look for tooling, if he were to consider his hand at checkering?
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Start at Brownell's. If it's available at all, they probably have it. Check out Amazon too. Ebay.

Lee valley carries some of the fine veiner chisels, useful for cleaning up a line end.

After that, they pretty much come from where you can find them at.

If you can round up a copy of Gunstock Checkering and Carving, by Kennedy, he shows a lot of pictures of user made tools, most just a bit of file work, then hardened. Usually they use a Swiss Checkering file (as used for filing the checkering in to a hammer or across a section of frame for grip), to cut the teeth.

I have used three and four square needle files, sometimes modified, sometimes not, to chase a line out too, but it would suck to try to do a checkering job entire. The corners are not always the sharpest, but you can grind off or use a diamond file to remove the teeth on one edge, and make it clean up pretty well.

Gonna depend a lot on your own levels of Craft too. You can make the tools for cheap, but that costs you time and effort. Or you can spend a fair bit and skip the preliminaries.
 
KV woodworking in NB carry’s checkering supplies. They were hard to email with, I’d recommend calling in if you order.

But remember, checkering is the last place a guy can make a mediocre stock look horrible. I highly recommend practicing a lot before attempting. A finished piece of flat is a good place to start.
 
The place I use to buy all mine in, Winnipeg has been closed for years.
I know that Tradex had a single line cutter listed before they closed, the outfits that took over there stock may have some still
Single line is all you need for recutting worn checkering, or doing new lines
If doing new , you also need a right and left double , to follow the start lines.
Robert Wilson , at RIW sporting and survival supplies in Harris, Sask. a stock maker carried sets in stock when I seen him at the gun shows.
Pm me for info .
 
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Years ago, I decided to learn to cut checkering.
Made a good, fully adjustable stock cradle. Already had an illuminated magnifying rig.
Bought the tools from Brownells, and started to work. Last job I did was recutting a fine, full wraparound grip and forend. Took me 4 1/2 days. Decided checkering was not something I wanted to do. Got rid of the cradle; still have the tools somewhere.
If you enjoy picking fly sxxt out of pepper, you might enjoy checkering.
 
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