"bending" cast

[Magungo1066]

Hello all. My dad has a Mike Brooks fowler that is up for trade/sale right now, but I would love to keep it if I could manage. The problem is it has significant cast for a righty. Does anyone have any experience taking cast on/off a gun? Is anyone familiar with someone that does this? Thanks!

 

[kje54]

Hello all. My dad has a Mike Brooks fowler that is up for trade/sale right now, but I would love to keep it if I could manage. The problem is it has significant cast for a righty. Does anyone have any experience taking cast on/off a gun? Is anyone familiar with someone that does this? Thanks!

Chisels, rasps and sandpaper.

 

[Archer 756]

NO !! Smiths steam stocks for change

 

[Magungo1066]

NO !! Smiths steam stocks for change

Ya that is what I figured. The trick is finding someone to do it that won't snap it.

 

[FishDFly]

Why not contact Mike Brooks?

 

[Magungo1066]

Why not contact Mike Brooks?

I shot him an email!

 

[Magungo1066]

I am contemplating just dealing with it. It is such an awesome gun. I just need to make a conscious effort to mount it correctly each time so that my head is over/ontop of the comb enough

 

[jsb30]

I saw a demonstration at a NRA summer Gunsmith class. They wrapped it in linseed soaked rags and heated with a torch and bent shotgun stocks. I never wanted to try it.

 

[ord sgt]

Linseed oil soaked rags and a torch? I visualize much fire happening quickly.

 

[rich pierce]

It’s been recently demonstrated on another forum. In that case 3/8”of drop was added. Hot canola oil poured over the wrist while pressure was exerted. Then clamped overnight.

 

[Brokennock]

Yup, oil and heat at the wrist (not rags and a torch) is how shotguns are done.
Not sure what the limits are versus how far you need to move it.

Here is another thought. If you bend it, the lock will still be for a right handed shooter. But the cast will mess this up. This could potentially destroy resale value in the future.

 

[Magungo1066]

Yup, oil and heat at the wrist (not rags and a torch) is how shotguns are done.
Not sure what the limits are versus how far you need to move it.

Here is another thought. If you bend it, the lock will still be for a right handed shooter. But the cast will mess this up. This could potentially destroy resale value in the future.

I might just have to figure out a way to reliably mount it, with my head in a position that works

 

[Britsmoothy]

I did it once. Ladling linseed over cotton tied to the wrist of the stock and heated with an electric heat gun.
You have to have a jig ready the direct and hold the stock until it cools.
The stock became quite flexible.
It felt like a stiff rubber. Quite strange.

 

[ZUG]

I would sell it and have Mike make you one that fits you. If you want to keep the rifle for sentimental reasons then do so and have a new one made just for you. You take a great risk on destroying any value in the gun if you attempt to remove the cast in the stock. It is a project that can go very badly. My two cents worth

 

[Robby]

I have done a couple stocks and many self-bows with steam. Make a tent with aluminum foil, sealed around the source of steam and both ends of the area to be bent, make sure there is a vent at the top so steam can escape, you want it to flow around the area to be bent and not condense on it, which will thwart your effort. Make sure you have set up for and have done a couple dry runs of the actual bending, you have a very short window to make it happen. It is really easy.
Robby

 

[Britsmoothy]

For an idea of what is involved.....

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

A lot of factors come into play on bending a stock. Type of wood, condition, age, etc. The biggest risk is a break. You also risk damaging the finish.

Finally, it may not be permanent. I have seen stocks that were bent for cast on (for a left-hand shooter) slowly revert back over time. Exercise caution and judgement.

 

[Magungo1066]

I have decided to just leave it be. Thanks for all the advice everyone! I would rather alter how I mount this particular gun, rather than risk breaking such a nice gun.

 

[BadDaditood]

Good idea to leave it as is.
Walnut takes to bending easily with hot Raw Linseed but I’ve had very little luck bending the maple stocks I’ve carved... Possibly because like Brooks I carve the cast off into the blank, or maybe maple just doesn’t bend easily?

 

[kje54]

Chisels, rasps and sandpaper.

Oops. I forgot to add to my post.
Please, do NOT take my first post seriously.