First Checkering Panel

[grey8833]

Learning (teaching myself) checkering. Got the book and some films > and now learning the tools.

Checkering Photos

This is my first panel. A fill in pattern for beginners. Lots of mistakes, but good enough to be encouraging. Biggest problem is spacing on the flat to curve surfaces - I have a Gunline two blank - one cutter (for all you checkering fans) tool coming, that should help keep the spacing lines a bit more even - the one blank - one cutter seems to wander.

Started the second panel.

Stock is just a Savage 22LR I got on e-bay.

Anyone else got any hints to keep your spacing even? Or is it just practice, practice, practice?

Mike F

 

[BrownBear]

Photo detail isn't there for a close look, but you'll like that 2/1. In my experience you really have to watch for flex as you move out the forend. It's easy to use too much pressure, especially if you're clamped back toward the action/lock. I usually set up a bag of shot at the right height for bracing under forends while also using a central lockdown in a vise. You always hear "go slow and gently" out toward the tip, but it's easier said than done.

 

[Zonie]

I'm having problems seeing your checkering in the picture but IMO the single blade cutter is only good for making the starting cut and for cleaning up the already cut checkering when your finishing up.

When using a spacing cutter (one smooth blade and one cutting blade) concentrate on keeping pressure on the smooth blade and let the cutting blade do its thing.

Don't try to force the cutter blade to take more material than it wants to as this can reduce the pressure on the smooth blade making it jump out of its groove.

I'm not sure what spacing pitch your using but IMO it should be one of the fairly course ones.
Also remember that the checkering used on the old pre 1830s guns was more of a decoration than a functional "checkering" as we think of it today.

Sharp edges at the crest of the grooves was not nearly as important as it is on modern guns checkering.

 

[grey8833]

Zonie:

This is headed toward my 1870 English Target Rifle, which had full checkering (pointed as opposed to the earlier English Flat). I just decided that discretion was the better part of valor and practice would be appropriate. Which is why the modern starter stock.

The spacing pitch is 18 spi, a course cut more appropriate to the era of my frontstuffer. The problem is holding the even line over a tight curve after a flat space...better picture here:
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u210/grey8833/Checkering/IMG_2552.jpg

The cuts are done with a single line 60 degree V tool, then a spacer at 60 degrees with a blank edge, the final cuts are done with a double 90 and then a single 90 and a clean up with an extra fine single 90.

I don't like the way the spacer with the single blank edge can "float" in the cut, allowing the lines to get wider (see middle of the new photo). I hope the double blank with the single cutter "averages" out the errors by following the last two lines instead of only the last line. But you are right, I need to focus on keeping the smooth edges in the cut, and let the cutter do its thing.

I do find that that focusing on the smooth edge can cause the line to drift to the side of the cutting tool if you are not careful - the tool rides on a tilt when you cut - smooth side deep in the previous cut, the cutter high on the wood. I am hoping the double blank evens this out a bit.

Thanks for the advice!

Brownbear:
Hope you are right! Cutter should be in soon.

Mike