Inletting a Rifle Stock
- Action. Study the current extent of inletting at the action area well before removing any wood. Chances are you will...
- Barrel Channel. If a forend tip is to be installed it is best to do it before inletting the barrel channel. Once the...
- Floor Plate/Trigger Guard. Trigger guard inletting will most likely also be undersized. The lines will be...
Full Answer
How to apply Inlet Black to a stock?
With the inlet black applied, start it into the stock, DO NOT FORCE IT, just press it into place firmly enough to leave an impression. Using a file helps to keep a flat surface.
How do you fit a machine inlet stock?
FITTING: When fitting a gun stock, regardless of the model, it is always best to start by closely comparing your original part to your new machine inlet part. Often small ridges and machining imperfections can be noted and cleaned using whatever appropriate scraping tool or file the application would require.
Should I buy a drop-in fit or 95% inlet stock?
The trend in marketing gunstocks might lead you to believe that buying a "drop-in fit" or 95% inlet, or even 98% inlet stock is a miracle shortcut to that custom rifle, all you need is a screwdriver and a can of OL Blighty Safari Finish.
What are the parts of a machine inlet gunstock?
Gun stock makers explain basic procedures for installing a machine inlet gunstock which we will be breaking into four parts; fitting, shaping, sanding and finishing. Stock makers always do gunstock duplication in this order. Never attempt to shape or finish a gun stock before fitting is complete.
What is an inlet stock?
Inletting - The process of carving out recesses in wooden stocks with precision, using gouges, chisels and scrapers to accept the steel components of a firearm.
What wood is best for gun stocks?
The most desired wood for gun stocks is walnut. However, there are other woods that can be used for gun stocks that are both beautiful and functional. There are a variety of companies that sell stocks for finishing, but stocks can also be hand-crafted from a commercial blank or from rough wood.
What is inlet black?
JERROW'S INLETTING BLACK- A dense, black transfer stain to aid in inletting any part into the stock. Apply a thin coat to the back of part and set in place. Remove part and carefully cut away the wood that has been stained. Repeat the process until part fits properly. One bottle is enough to inlet several rifles.
How are laminated rifle stocks made?
They're made of thin sheets of wood, which are soaked in epoxy and then pressed together. This causes the epoxy to impregnate the fibers and bond them in one monolithic piece. Rutland Laminates Company patented this process, and just about every laminated stock started* as a blank from Rutland.
Why is oak not used for gun stocks?
Oak is not popular for gun stocks simply because, though it is hard enough…. and a strong wood, grain variability is very great… wide vs. narrow growth rings, the thickness of the heart wood, checking and cracking problems as the wood dries, etc.
Is linseed oil good for gun stocks?
Boiled linseed oil is more often used on bare wood and is popular for finishing gun stocks, as the process of heating it decreases its drying time. When hand rubbed into wood, it creates a durable weatherproof seal and the heat produced from the friction of rubbing produces a deep, polished finish.
How are synthetic gun stocks made?
It involves hand-laying fiberglass layers in a mold, with epoxy resin to bind the layers into a solid shape. Next, the void inside the stock is filled with polyurethane foam and catalyst, which expands outward, pressing the layers of resin-impregnated fiberglass cloth tightly against the inside of the mold.
How a gun stock is made?
0:102:45Part 8 Ruger How It's Made -- Stocks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStocks of all shapes and sizes are created in the woodworking. Building for high volume sells likeMoreStocks of all shapes and sizes are created in the woodworking. Building for high volume sells like the mini 14 or 10 22 pre-cut blanks are placed into a copy lathe.
What does laminated stock mean?
Traditionally, stocks are made from wood, generally a durable hardwood such as walnut. A growing option is the laminated wood stock, consisting of many thin layers of wood bonded together at high pressures with epoxy, resulting in a dense, stable composite.
What is Inletting Black?
Inletting black is something you apply to the metal parts that you are inletting to show the high spots that need to be removed. There are recipes out there to make your own inletting black, but for the cost of a new jar, it seems unnecessary. I use Jerrow’s Inletting Black and have found no reason to switch away from it.
Inletting Black Application
Applying your inletting black is the first step when inletting a stock. The amount you apply to the metal is extremely important and can dictate your end result. If you apply too much you will get false readings and inevitably have gaps. Apply too little and you won’t get an accurate reading of the spots you need to scrape away.
Hammer Time
The hammer you use for inletting will affect your end result. Plain and simple. I use a combination of a dead blow rubber-faced hammer and a lightweight plastic hammer. I start with the rubber-faced dead blow and use it until I have near full contact. If using a dead blow like this, you need to be sure to hit it very very lightly.
Reciever Tangs
When inletting a two-piece stock with receiver tangs, start by taking some measurements with a set of calipers. One where the tang meets the receiver and one towards the tail end. These measurements will tell you if the tangs are parallel or tapered. The image above is a good example, knowing this will tell you how to read your inletting black.
Basic Stock Fitting
First off, I DO NOT FIT OR FINISH GUNSTOCKS. I have always tried to be honest with questions from potential customers that call, wondering just what a 90% inlet and profiled stock is.
The Vise
Most any vise can be made to serve, it is a critical tool. The better the setup, the easier the job will be. If you don’t have one of these, or something similar, save your money and get one! This is a tool that I cannot work without, I consider this to be the most important tool for this project.
Basic hand tools for this job
Pretty simple, eh? You might ask, Where is the Dremel tool? If you are lucky, the neighbor borrowed it and didn’t return it. I didn't show a few items I use like the straight edge rule, mill file for metal work. The point is, keep it simple.
Planning the job
OK, you received the stock and the rifle is stripped down. First let’s check to see what needs to be done.
Why use inlet black on semi-inlet stock?
For a semi-inlet stock, use inletting black to provide an optical indication of where the action meets the wood. By meticulously shaving off the excess wood until the inletting black covers all of your stock’s action inlet, you can form a perfect fit for your stock to the action of your gun.
How to finish a rifle stock?
This involves sanding, whiskering, and applying an oil finish. Start by sanding the unfinished stock with 80-grit sandpaper, by wrapping the sandpaper around a solid wood block and rubbing back-and-forth in the same direction as the wood grain.
What is a wood stock blank?
Finding and Choosing a Hardwood Stock Blank. A gunstock begins as a hardwood blank. A blank is just a block of hardwood that is ready to be customized for a firearm. But, the usable wood must first be milled from timbers. The most popular types of hardwood for rifle stocks are black or claro walnut and maple heartwood.
How to sand a stock?
Start by sanding the unfinished stock with 80-grit sandpaper, by wrapping the sandpaper around a solid wood block and rubbing back-and-forth in the same direction as the wood grain. Wet a clean rag with distilled water and use it to remove the excess dust from sanding.
Why do you need a custom rifle stock?
Gunsmithing a custom rifle stock is a great way to personalize and upgrade the quality of a firearm. And it is a great way to start learning about how to design and build guns. And, for any firearms with suitable action, but a plastic stock, smithing your rifle stock from scratch is a great way to enhance the quality of your shooting experience.
What is shaping a rifle stock?
The process of shaping your rifle stock is, by far, the most meticulous and technically demanding. It is also the stage that shows the most dramatic change in your stock. With the right skills, tools, and dedication, you can see your rifle transform from a piece of wood into a purpose-built piece of craftsmanship.
What wood is used for rifle stock?
The most popular types of hardwood for rifle stocks are black or claro walnut and maple heartwood. Walnut and maple are among the densest hardwood species, which provide the durability required to support the action of the firearm. With access to walnut or maple timbers, you can square the log by cutting off the sapwood with a chainsaw, ...