Strange chunk of wood

[crgabel]

How do i attach a photo?? i took some of the stock
Craig

 

[crgabel]

here it is
[url] http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c310/crgabel/gray.jpg[/url]

 

[crgabel]

and another

 

[crgabel]

 

[Zonie]

I guess it is just me, but I think I would use that piece of wood.
Each piece of wood is different and each piece takes stains or Aqua Fortis in their own ways.
This develops a look that is unique to each gun and I suspect that if you used this wood, it would have it's own very interesting pattern/color to it.

The gray tones will be gone by the time your thru with it unless you intend to leave it "blond" and just apply oil to it.

 

[crgabel]

I'll be using the wood for sure. I've started on it today. As I said in the first post the color did seem to go away after the AF test that I did, although it did seem to require more heat than other stocks to change color, What I was wondering is this gray stain normal in the industry or a fluke? Will it (this type of wood) carve differantly than the harder maple that I'm use to?
Craig

 

[Bountyhunter]

We manufacture log homes, and we get a fungal stain that we call blue stain in our pine that looks a lot like that. It is caused by loggers who cut the trees and let them lay for too long in hot weather before getting them in and getting the bark off of them so that they can dry.

Typically, it doesnt harm the structural strength of the fiber, but it detracts from the appearance.

Had I recieved that piece of wood from Track, I'd have been on the phone with them in about a minute, and we would have been trading wood. Those guys are good up there, and they back their products. If you call them and voice your concern they will do all they can to make it right. But, ya gotta call them first, or they dont know that there is a problem. They would have no way of knowing that the guys in the warehouse had sent you a substandard chunk of wood.

Bill

 

[crgabel]

I did call Friday and talked to Luke, He ran out to the W-house and came back and said "the other one out there has the gray stain as well, but it will not show up after you stain it." So I guess I'll just go back to my old supplier of stocks in the future. I like TOTW, and will buy all parts to build from them. I think?
Craig

 

[crgabel]

Well it is only 2-4 days away from being done. The gray went away with the AF stain. The wood was real weird to carve as the wood was not as hard as the stocks that I've had in the past.
It turned out ok but I'm not overly excited with the carving.
I'll post pic's when It's complete, all i have to do is 2-4 more coats of finish.
Craig

 

[crgabel]

Well here it is. The carving is what it is only my 4th attempt at carving. I'm happy with the color, and the gray is not noticeable. Thanks to all for your input.
The finish is my owne mix of Aqufortis and Formby's Tung oil Satin finish
Craig

 

[crgabel]

and forarm

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Don't play down your carving, you've done a very nice job, looks good!

 

[crgabel]

Thanks for your kind words,
Craig

 

[davy]

Thanks for your kind words,
Craig

Well if your bound and determined to be disappointed in it ... as Bill Clinton said .. "I can feel your pain" so ... would you like to send it to me so's I can hide it in my closet for you? I wont charge you much for storing it for you ... What are friends for after all! :hmm: :rotf:

Davy

 

[flashpanner]

Send it this way so that I can look at it closer while I am using it on the range!

 

[Birdman]

Craig ta heck with them fellers what live in Neebrasski n Texass, send er right on down ta me in Oxford,Pa. Be right happy ta hide it fer ya. I like the golden cast to the finish, looks right purtty my friend, good job YMHS Birdman

 

[crgabel]

I knew it was bad because all you fellers want to hide it too. :rotf:
Well I solved the problem, I just cut a hole in the end of the canvas cover that I bought to transport it, along with holes for the trigger and sights. It is sorta like the unknown comedian on the old Gong Show or the Elephant man with the bag over his head.
I had to do figure out a way to keep it because it shoots so well.
I do want to thank all of you for your concern in wanting to help me deal with my carving issues. :rotf:
Thanks Fellas.
Craig