Clay Smith Trade Gun Build

[Rob M.]

I’ll try when the time comes, but I’m a bit techno challenged. Guess I could duct tape my phone to a tree.

LOL ! I understand , me too bud . Naw , dont bother unless you got someone there with ya to do it for ya ...

 

[TDM]

Finished sanding after the third grain raise. Applied iron nitrate, let it dry while I was outside doing chores. Worked it over with the heat gun thoroughly. Then mixed up a warm water and baking soda solution and wiped it down with that. Used the heat gun just a little to dry it. Mainly used the baking soda solution to see if I could get a little red tint to the wood. And it did, just a little. Three photos of the iron nitrate dry, then after heating, last one after the solution was applied and dried. Got to head home for a night or 2 and pickup a few supplies that arrived.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Thanks Rob, I’ll take luck over skill any day!

When one has the skills, luck is sure to follow.

 

[mikesto44]

Your both way faster than me...Nice work you two....

 

[TDM]

Back to work on the build now that I’m caught up with outside work. Received my plates back from Mike Brooks, he did a magnificent job.
I wanted this stock to be different, to have some color. So I played around with Cherry and Maple stain cut with denatured alcohol. Ended up settling on this. The photos are after the first coat of Permalyn Sealer.

 

[BillyC]

I like it, looks a lot like my second SMR

 

[tenngun]

Looks goooood

 

[TDM]

Looks goooood

Thanks!

 

[TDM]

I like it, looks a lot like my second SMR

Thanks!

 

[50calBoone]

Back to work on the build now that I’m caught up with outside work. Received my plates back from Mike Brooks, he did a magnificent job.
I wanted this stock to be different, to have some color. So I played around with Cherry and Maple stain cut with denatured alcohol. Ended up settling on this. The photos are after the first coat of Permalyn Sealer.

Looks great! I like it also .Mike did a great job on the plates also (of course I knew he would)

 

[TDM]

Looks great! I like it also .Mike did a great job on the plates also (of course I knew he would)

Thanks. Yeah, Mike’s work was a given.

 

[Rob M.]

It all looks great !!!

 

[TDM]

It all looks great !!!

Thanks Rob!

 

[TDM]

I’m having a bit of builder’s remorse. I put the final coat of Permalyn on this morning and after a while move it to the outside shop to hang. We have some warm, super dry air outside so it should cure rapidly. I followed Laurel Mountain’s instructions, put on 3 or 4 coats of sealer, and 2 or 3 coats of finish. I actually lost count. Went over it several times with synthetic steel wool during the process with wipe downs afterwards. This morning, per Laurel Mountain’s instructions, I finished with a thin coat of sealer. Now I’m not blaming anything on Laurel Mountain, great products all around. But I’m just not happy with the texture, it’s not as smooth as I hoped and I still have several small sags. My old eyes just miss things in the process. And the finish may be too much bling for a trade gun. I may go back and lightly sand the whole stock with 600 or 1,000 grit and put another coat of sealer or finish on it. Kinda wishing I’d just used Tried & True oil varnish, but too late now. Wood finishing is a weak point for me.

 

[dneprdude]

Don't beat yourself up. It'll all work out.

 

[TDM]

Well, I got back at it. I took the stock out in the sun and went over it carefully looking for bad spots, then hit them with extra fine scotchbrite. Wiped it down while still outside where I could see, dabbed and blended all the areas that I found with the finish. Of course I missed some, but I’m much happier with it now and it will just have to do. Afterwards, I did have better luck with the barrel. Finished up draw filing a few spots and sanding, degreased it, and used @ 50/50 Jax Black/distilled water mix. Put on 2 coats with a little draw back in between, but I got the color I wanted without much trouble. So it’s basically finished now except for cleaning out the pin holes, assembly and making the necessary small adjustments. One things for certain, if @Rob M. has anything to worry about, worrying about me cutting into his Trade Gun building business is not one of them!!! I’m worn out from this one!

 

[50calBoone]

I like it , looks great from what I see . I’m the same way with finishing wood.I painted many houses over the years as a side job but always get nervous staining wood.

 

[TDM]

I like it , looks great from what I see . I’m the same way with finishing wood.I painted many houses over the years as a side job but always get nervous staining wood.

Yep, this was my first time using the Permalyn sealer & finish. Great products, but a learning curve for me.

 

[Bnewberry]

Looks great! I like the barrel color. I hope you shoot it soon!

 

[TDM]

Looks great! I like the barrel color. I hope you shoot it soon!

Winding down to the end now. Still need to cast some .600 balls.