Type-81 LMG Wood Type

[KingMackenzieLXIX]

Looking to redo the furniture on my Type-81 LMG and get it from a Neon Orange to a darker walnut. So was curious if anyone knew what wood was actually used for the furniture? Would love to get a better idea on the final results and what steps/process I should do.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The_Red_Rabbit]

I believe the Type 81s uses the classic Chu Wood.

I would strip it with a chemical stripper to remove everything, sand, use a pre conditioner, stain, then rub on poly.

 

[Murray 3-D]

Chu wood can be difficult to apply stain to. I noticed when i stained mine that i didnt get great penetration like i wood on other woods. Would also recommend using pre stain conditioner ^

 

[Curtton]

Looking to redo the furniture on my Type-81 LMG and get it from a Neon Orange to a darker walnut. So was curious if anyone knew what wood was actually used for the furniture? Would love to get a better idea on the final results and what steps/process I should do.

Thanks in advance.

chu wood is nickname for catalpa bungie wood by north american sks owners but upon visual comparison to the type 81 wood, it has completely different grains. no idea what it is.

 

[NeonGreen]

i asked TI what wood the regular 81 rifles is and they told me beech.

 

[Curtton]

i asked TI what wood the regular 81 rifles is and they told me beech.

thanks for the confirm. i was gonna guess beech cos the grain is close to my yugo sks.

 

[Hitzy]

Quick look through the pic thread, lots of Chu, maybe the odd piece of beech, but beechy looking ones are probably chu as well.
Easy way to find out, run a piece of sandpaper on an unfinished inside piece, chu is soft like pine, beech is hard. Neither take finish well.

 

[beltfed]

If you want a deep, even stain, strip it and then dye it with a leather dye. Oil it up with a couple of coats of pure tung oil and pure turpentine, and then tung oil after.