Source for piece of American Black Walnut

P

Potashminer

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Uber Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
586   0   0
Location
Western Manitoba
I'd like to try to restore a M1917 stock. It had been "sported" by cutting it off about 3/4" back of the middle band location. I've got a suitably matching front piece (from the middle band forward) and the two top hand guards. No idea where I could source a block of straight grain walnut to splice in and replace the missing length. I'm thinking a 2" x 2" x 3" long block would do it, but no idea where to find such a thing. Any woodworkers, woodcarvers out there with a favourite supply source?
 
,
If there is a Windsor Plywood, Home Depot, Lowes or other store that sells lumber, Walnut is available. However, make sure you stop at the Bank and check how much money you have in your retirement fund, because it is expensive.

I recently visited a local Home Depot to get some lumber to build a small carrying case for a takedown .22 rifle that I brought back to functioning condition. It was an Anschutz, and just screamed to me that it would be a fine pack rifle to take back to Manitoba with me when I go visit this summer. I "cherry picked" some of the Pine 1x4 that cost me about $5 for an 8 foot length but I got a lot of nice clear wood from it that was just as good as the more expensive "clear" select wood.

I passed the section where they had more expensive woods like Walnut, and the same size 1x4 would have cost me 4 or 5 times that price for Walnut.

Check the Yellow Pages of your telephone book for Woodworkers or Cabinetmakers or Furniture Restorers. Sometimes they will have a few off cuts that might suit your purpose and they are always good people to talk to.
 
Potashminer said:
I'd like to try to restore a M1917 stock. It had been "sported" by cutting it off about 3/4" back of the middle band location. I've got a suitably matching front piece (from the middle band forward) and the two top hand guards. No idea where I could source a block of straight grain walnut to splice in and replace the missing length. I'm thinking a 2" x 2" x 3" long block would do it, but no idea where to find such a thing. Any woodworkers, woodcarvers out there with a favourite supply source?
Click to expand...

My first choice for stock repair is always the same species of wood from another old stock, but the size you specify could be a problem.
 
I have chunks of well seasoned air dried black walnut. Pieces that size shouldn't be a problem - but could you live with 1 3/4" v 2" x 3"? Not sure if the wood is a full 2" thick.
Free wood, but postage would likely be at least $15, though.
 
tiriaq said:
I have chunks of well seasoned air dried black walnut. Pieces that size shouldn't be a problem - but could you live with 1 3/4" v 2" x 3"? Not sure if the wood is a full 2" thick.
Free wood, but postage would likely be at least $15, though.
Click to expand...

+1 on that, I have scraps from my projects in that size, I don't buy anything that isn't at least 2" thick.... they usually wind up in the fireplace. same deal, if tiriaq does not have what you need I can dig through my pile. also if neither of us have anything - these guys will: https://woodchuckers.com/ Walnut will be anywhere from $15 - $25/bf select, burls, live edge at least $25+ whatever they figure it is worth based on figure.

I would stay away from lumber yards/big box home improvement places, that will all be common steamed walnut. not suitable for what you want.


So to be clear, you are looking at splicing the fore end in two places? between the middle and rear band and under the middle band? you might be better off splicing once underneath the rear band. though I am not familiar with the gun - it has 3 bands?? (pics would help) anyway, reason I am suggesting is you are gonna wind up with 3 colors to match and end grain to end grain glue joints are the weakest of all, you will have to make some kind of finger joint..... just sayin try to eliminate a bunch of work.
 
buffdog said:
,
If there is a Windsor Plywood, Home Depot, Lowes or other store that sells lumber, Walnut is available. However, make sure you stop at the Bank and check how much money you have in your retirement fund, because it is expensive.
Click to expand...

If you have a buddy with a thickness planer and a jointer you could buy rough lumber - that will be about 1/3 the cost of dressed lumber and probably 1/4 of what you will pay at a big box. Granted it is more work to mill it up but especially things like walnut the savings is worth it. Dunno where you are in Southern Ontario, but if anywhere near Whitchurch/Stouffille - check out Century Lumber Mill, they have a specialty lumber shed there and generally good material (walnut shorts starting at $9/bf) woodchuckers is at Morningside & Sheppard in Toronto .. bring cash and make friends with them there is a "back unit" where they keep all the good stuff ;)
 
sean69 said:
So to be clear, you are looking at splicing the fore end in two places? between the middle and rear band and under the middle band? you might be better off splicing once underneath the rear band. though I am not familiar with the gun - it has 3 bands?? (pics would help) anyway, reason I am suggesting is you are gonna wind up with 3 colors to match and end grain to end grain glue joints are the weakest of all, you will have to make some kind of finger joint..... just sayin try to eliminate a bunch of work.
Click to expand...

The M1917 has a band about half way up the fore arm that holds the forward and rear ends of the rear and front hand guard respectively. Between the action and that band the stock is hefty, with finger grooves ending about 2 1/2" from the mid band. Forward of that band, the fore arm is quite a bit more slender. As stated, about 3/4" or so is missing from the hefty part. My plan (at the moment) is to start about 2" back from the band with a half lap joint, which will finish up with that missing 3/4". A previous attempt at repair resulted in a 3/8" hole axially through both pieces. I am planning on setting a 3/8" all thread rod in epoxy to span the joints and provide stiffness, with decent wood glue on the lap. As I am thinking it through, looks will depend on getting that lap joint as close to perfect as possible, since it will be visible. It will be a butt joint under the band, but reinforced with the all thread rod.

Picture of an M1917 stolen from Internet:
View attachment 168230
 
Last edited:
Potashminer said:
I'd like to try to restore a M1917 stock. It had been "sported" by cutting it off about 3/4" back of the middle band location. I've got a suitably matching front piece (from the middle band forward) and the two top hand guards. No idea where I could source a block of straight grain walnut to splice in and replace the missing length. I'm thinking a 2" x 2" x 3" long block would do it, but no idea where to find such a thing. Any woodworkers, woodcarvers out there with a favourite supply source?
Click to expand...

Black Forest Wood Company can definitely help you out. www.blackforestwood.com/index.php/wood-lumber
 
Potashminer said:
The M1917 has a band about half way up the fore arm that holds the forward and rear ends of the rear and front hand guard respectively. Between the action and that band the stock is hefty, with finger grooves ending about 2 1/2" from the mid band. Forward of that band, the fore arm is quite a bit more slender. As stated, about 3/4" or so is missing from the hefty part. My plan (at the moment) is to start about 2" back from the band with a half lap joint, which will finish up with that missing 3/4". A previous attempt at repair resulted in a 3/8" hole axially through both pieces. I am planning on setting a 3/8" all thread rod in epoxy to span the joints and provide stiffness, with decent wood glue on the lap. As I am thinking it through, looks will depend on getting that lap joint as close to perfect as possible, since it will be visible. It will be a butt joint under the band, but reinforced with the all thread rod.
Click to expand...

ahhh - I see now.... still not sure why you want to do it in 3 pcs, just the material you have on hand? You might even be able to cut a couple finger joints on a dovetail jig (or tablesaw) certainly looks like there is enough meat there for that. good luck!
 
I have a fair bit of walnut blanks, and some small pieces also, at the gun show this week end in Swift Current, can check in couple days.
P.M me .
I's in Sk.
Potashminer said:
I'd like to try to restore a M1917 stock. It had been "sported" by cutting it off about 3/4" back of the middle band location. I've got a suitably matching front piece (from the middle band forward) and the two top hand guards. No idea where I could source a block of straight grain walnut to splice in and replace the missing length. I'm thinking a 2" x 2" x 3" long block would do it, but no idea where to find such a thing. Any woodworkers, woodcarvers out there with a favourite supply source?
Click to expand...
 
A & M Wood Specialty in Cambridge; Hoffmeyer's Plaining Mill, in Sebringville; Maplehaven Sawmill near Ingersol
 
Upper Canada Forest Products, they supply the cabinet trade. I’ve purchased somewhat harder to find lumber there such as quarter sawn white oak in 8/4 thickness (that’s 2” thick, 6/4 would be 1.5”, 3/4 is obvious)
 
If you are going to reinforce it with a 3/8 rod in epoxy, why would you half lapped it? Just butt it. About walnut... Find a store that sells used furniture and look for that one made of walnut.Might be painted over, hard to see. You know...table legs...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom