Still thinking about "rolling my own" stock...

[Pork Chop]

OK, so I have this Bobcat and this nice rectanglular chunk of Cherry. I am trying to figure out how to whittle this beast into a stock in the most logical manner. My tools are limited, so no milling for me. Heck, no band saw either. My thoughts are this:

1) draw stock shape onto the block to determine all dimensions

2) using a table saw, do the rough cuts for the barrel channel

3) Using a combination of a table saw and jig saw, rough cut the stock out

4) drill the ramrod hole (maybe route inside the barrel channel to ease that process)

5)finish inletting barrel and tang

6) align and inlet the lock and trigger

7) final shaping and installation of the furniture

8) apply finish

Am I missing something or do I have something out of order?

 

[Mike Brooks]

Sounds good, all except for this:

3) Using a combination of a table saw and jig saw, rough cut the stock out

Jig saw is a great idea, but been there done that, it don't work. A band saw is a great tool for this operation.
I'm starting a new gun today when I get back from UPS. I'll do a picture walk thru from start to finish for you fellows if you would like. I expect you to keep up too or it's THE COMMFY CHAIR FOR YOU! :rotf:

 

[xbowman]

Hurry and get back. :thumbsup:

 

[Pork Chop]

Unfortunately, I don't have access to a band saw anymore. I will have to scratch around to see what I can find.

Oh, there is no way that I can keep up. Heck, I am on dial up, so it will take months to download the pics!!

 

[rich pierce]

Get a bow saw from Woodcraft. I am using this for all the cutting on my current project. For around $50 you get a great saw and 2 blades.
saw

Working from a blank of some super-hard maple, it has given me new respect for the makers of originals. Doing a lenthwise rip cut takes me about 20 minutes, with re-positioning and cheking to make sure I'm square. I bought 2 blades, one is 1/2" or so wide the the other at least an inch. The wide one cuts very straight and the narrow one will curve some.

 

[Slowpoke]

Come on Rich..... a Bow saw !?!?!?! That's soooooo 18th century.... next thing you're going to tell me is you don't use a milling machine.

SP

 

[54JNoll]

Unless you really want to go from scratch

If you like the fit of the current stock for your Bobcat you could always send the blank and the current stock out to Fred Miller. He will turn your Cherry Blank using your existing stock as the pattern.

Or he will just inlet your barrel and drill the ramrod hole for you. At $50 it is more than reasonable and saves lots of work. Copying the entire stock may run more.

Just a couple of options.

 

[davy]

I just don't understand why Rich is not usin a broad axe to shape tha stock with ... :rotf:

By all means please post the process Mike!

Davy :grin:

 

[Pork Chop]

Have you got contact information for Fred?

 

[rich pierce]

I just don't understand why Rich is not usin a broad axe to shape tha stock with ... :rotf:

By all means please post the process Mike!

Davy :grin:

I do have a broad axe, now that I think about it! That'll get some wood off in a hurry!

 

[rich pierce]

Come on Rich..... a Bow saw !?!?!?! That's soooooo 18th century.... next thing you're going to tell me is you don't use a milling machine.

SP

What's a milling machine? I use files.

 

[George F.]

A band saw is really nice to have one(I have one 14" powermatic) But I rarely use it. I do most of my rough work with either a 'skill saw', or a rip hand saw. So much emphisise(?) is on power tools these days.WE all learn by our mistakes. A power tool is great don't get me wrong, but when your building a firearm your working with very small tolerances. Its ALWAYS best to go slow being able to correct yourself along the way than to plow through it, only to find you took off too much

 

[Slenk]

Come on Rich..... a Bow saw !?!?!?! That's soooooo 18th century.... next thing you're going to tell me is you don't use a milling machine.

SP

What's a milling machine? I use files.

Files :hmm: Thought they were Hand Mills.


Some of us can Build guns without power tools . Right Rich ?
I do .
:thumbsup:
Slenk

 

"What's a milling machine? "

That's where you get cornmeal, and flour from..Two big flat stones, powered by a waterwheel or by wind. :rotf: Bill

 

[DrTimboone]

:bull: Plenty of wind around these parts!! :rotf:

 

[DrTimboone]

For an old guy who really doesn't want all that exercise sawing the blank..... :bow: What would you or anyone else suggest as a reasonably priced size and brand of bandsaw for a garage (read no space) shop? The bow saw may be the best solution due to space but I sure would like to hear some alternatives. 18th century or not!! :winking:

 

[mikelange]

Tim --

It depends on how much you intend to use the saw. If it's a tool that, once you've got it, will be used fairly regularly (in other words, if it's something you could use but that you've done without, up to now), I'd recommend a 12" Sears Craftsman, which will take blades up to 1/2" wide -- just the medicine for thick slabs of gunstock-quality wood. If you're looking to spend somewhat less on a saw, Harbor Freight sells a couple of 12" models. Without doing a price comparison, I'd be inclined to think that you might spend enough on shipping the H.F. version to make it worth your while to go to Sears and pay a little more for a better saw.

I've used smaller saws to cut out stocks, but I wouldn't trade my 12" floor model for anything. If you do opt for a smaller, benchtop version, be sure to buy one that will take at least 3/8" blades, and I wouldn't count on the saw lasting any great length of time if it's used for tasks like this on a regular basis.

 

[davy]

Tim --

It depends on how much you intend to use the saw. If it's a tool that, once you've got it, will be used fairly regularly (in other words, if it's something you could use but that you've done without, up to now), I'd recommend a 12" Sears Craftsman, which will take blades up to 1/2" wide -- just the medicine for thick slabs of gunstock-quality wood. If you're looking to spend somewhat less on a saw, Harbor Freight sells a couple of 12" models. Without doing a price comparison, I'd be inclined to think that you might spend enough on shipping the H.F. version to make it worth your while to go to Sears and pay a little more for a better saw.

I've used smaller saws to cut out stocks, but I wouldn't trade my 12" floor model for anything. If you do opt for a smaller, benchtop version, be sure to buy one that will take at least 3/8" blades, and I wouldn't count on the saw lasting any great length of time if it's used for tasks like this on a regular basis.

Depends on if you have Harbor Freight a block from your house! (and I do! :thumbsup: ) I have a HF 14 inch bandsaw floor model (cost $200 on sale) ... and it does what I want just fine! :grin: I put it on a wheeled base and so can move it around as needed out of the way! Personally I cannot justify spending a fortune on power tool equipment (I wish I could! :cursing: ), and do not have the money to do so anyway! I have had it for over two years and used it on many, many occasions, as it is a great time and work saver, and for the most part I am happy with it! :grin:

Davy

 

[Zonie]

A nice band saw would be really neat! Unfortunatly, I don't have anyplace to put one. That is why I can say, don't scrap the project if all you have is a power saber saw.
I sometimes think the power saber saw was designed to cut 1/2 inch soft pine plywood so cutting thru a 2 1/2 to 3 inch piece of hard maple is a challenge.

I have used one several times to cut out a stock or to trim the butt of a stock for the butt plate.
It is slow work. It can teach you some creative new combinations for profane words. It may take several blades, but it can be done.

My biggest contribution to the skills of cutting out a stock with a power saber saw will be to pass on this advice: Allow at least 1/4 inch of wood between your cut and the actual shape and size that you want to end up with.
You will have to work it down from there with rasps/power sanders, spoke shaves...or whatever you have to work with.

 

[mikelange]

Cool! I never saw what could really be all that bad about the H.F. saws -- my point was that (in most cases) the shipping on something large is likely to be a killer. I suppose rather than "better" I ought to have said "more easily available" about the Sears model -- and, in your case, I'd still have been wrong. :haha: :haha: :bow: