Stock Inlay Work?

[Tahquamenon]

Hey folks,
Posted this in the General Section as well.

I've got small rifle for my daughter's birthday this year and would like a small silver heart along with her initials set/inlay in the stock on both sides.

Anyone have an idea as to where I could get this done?

Closer to or in Michigan would be better.

Thanks much.

Tahquamenon

 

[Zonie]

I don't know where you could get it done, unless it's at your house.
Follow this link for some guidelines.
INLAY POST

As for where to get a silver heart, Muzzleloading Builders Supply has both German Silver (not really silver) or Sterling Silver for reasonable prices.
Track of the Wolf also has a German Silver heart about 1/2 inch high and 1/2 inch wide for $1.00

The initials will have to be either cut out of some brass or German Silver stock or, you could put the initials on the stock in script letters using Wire Inlay. You can buy some brass or German Silver inlaying wire (actually ribbon) at MBS or TOTW.
If you decide to do the wire inlay, write the initials on the stock with a pencil or fine tip marker and stab them into the wood using the methods talked about in the following post:

WIRE INLAYS

If you use the search thing at the top of the screen and use the word Inlay or Wire Inlay, you will get hundreds of posts about how to do this.

 

[Tahquamenon]

Thanks Zonie.

I did search the archives and found out much about doing it myself.

The problem is I don't want to screw up my daughter's gift. Plus time available to learn is somewhat of a problem. I'm presently enrolled in an MS program so I'm already wishing for an extra 8 hours in each day to get everything done.

 

One, very big reason to do it yourself. IT'S YOUR DAUGHTERS GUN I don't think she'll care if it's not quite perfect, because it will be done by her Dad. Enough said. Go to th lumberyard/ Home Depot, and get a small piece of maple, get a couple extra hearts from TOTW, or MBS, practice it a little. Then do it. I don't think you'll regret it. One heart as a thumb piece, with her initials, and a date. should be fairly easy to begin with, then add more as time permits. :imo: Bill

 

[vradin]

One, very big reason to do it yourself. IT'S YOUR DAUGHTERS GUN I don't think she'll care if it's not quite perfect, because it will be done by her Dad.

:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:
They may not show it all the time, and they may even give you an "oh Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddd" moan and "THE LOOK" that only a child can give, but no matter how off-kilter and uneven it will be a treasured gift long after you've forgotten giving it.

Seriously, it will not take long to learn to inlay, does not take much in time or tools to do a passible fine job, and down the road somewhere that gun will be as treasured to your daughter as a silly little cowboy picture frame is to me, and a little tagua-nut carved polar bear is to my son.

You can find inexpensive hearts and initials of silver at most malls or thrift shops, and as Bill said- a little practice on a block of maple will be all you need, and you won't ever regret doing it yourself.

:m2c: vic

 

[Tahquamenon]

Thanks for the guilt complex guys!
::

I'd much rather have it done correctly the first time than half baked until I learned. Of which, I could not tell when I could add this activity to the already over full schedule.

The rifle is going to be a birthday gift in about a month.

I'll give the learning to inlay in less than a month some more thought.

 

[bovey]

I agree with Bill & Vic... It will really be worth it in those later years...

 

[vradin]

Thanks for the guilt complex guys!
::

Really didn't mean to guilt you too much I DO understand time limitations, and not wanting to give what you may consider to be less-than-perfect craftsmanship.

I'm way-the-heck over here in northern IL, so if you can't find someone local, don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, and happen to be passing thru the neighborhood I can pop them in for ya in a couple hours while we share a couple bottles of Vernor's (which you'll supply) and swap some lies.

vic

 

Did'nt mean to lay guilt either, as I've been there, work, school, family. There's not much spare time. I've got three daughters, and now eight grandkids, and I sure wish I had some of that time back. I'd help ya, I'm probably less than two hours avay, but I'm still learning to inlay, the basics are pretty easy, and take almost no time to learn. The other thing to do is to do it with your daughter after you give it to her. Buy the inlays, get'em engraved, and present them with the gun, with a promisory note. Just a thought Bill

 

[Donny]

eace: Sharron Smith of the NMLRA is in Michigan, and I am sure she would know of someone in your area. Check out Muzzle Blasts online , Her email may be there. just a thought. ::

 

[Tahquamenon]

Thanks much folks!!!
I've got a woodsmith lined up to help with this project.
I've designed the inlay and artwork so it will be truly custom and one of a kind versus ordering inlay materials.

Thanks again. When time permit's, I do have a build my own rifle project in mind and attempt to learn the skills required to do a decent job at inlay work.
:thumbsup: