Checkering
Checkering on a gun stock serves two purposes. One purpose is purely aesthetic, adding a touch of flair and decoration to the stock and showing off the stockmaker's skills. The other purpose is purely functional - adding texture to the stock to provide a no-slip grip area for the shooter. Here we're cutting a border on an old doublegun stock using a veining tool.
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Checkering
Checkering on a gun stock serves two purposes. One purpose is purely aesthetic, adding a touch of flair and decoration to the stock and showing off the stockmaker's skills. The other purpose is purely functional - adding texture to the stock to provide a no-slip grip area for the shooter. Here we're cutting a border on an old doublegun stock using a veining tool.
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Checkering
The first step is to lay out the pattern by lightly cutting intersecting lines on the wood surface using fine checkering files. Here we're laying out the pattern on a custom stock for a Winchester Model 12 at 22 lines per inch.
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Checkering
The first step is to lay out the pattern by lightly cutting intersecting lines on the wood surface using fine checkering files. Here we're laying out the pattern on a custom stock for a Winchester Model 12 at 22 lines per inch.
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Checkering
Once the pattern is laid out the process is repeated, following the layout lines and deepening the intersecting lines until they meet, creating sharply pointed diamonds.
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Checkering
Once the pattern is laid out the process is repeated, following the layout lines and deepening the intersecting lines until they meet, creating sharply pointed diamonds.
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Checkering
If the stock is getting a varnish or catalyzed finish, the checkering is masked off during the finishing process. If left exposed, the finish would fill in the lines between the diamonds, spoiling the overall effect and function of the checkering. After the stock is finished, a light coat of oil is brushed into the checkering to seal the wood from dirt and moisture, while maintaining the crisp lines and sharp points of the diamonds.
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Checkering
If the stock is getting a varnish or catalyzed finish, the checkering is masked off during the finishing process. If left exposed, the finish would fill in the lines between the diamonds, spoiling the overall effect and function of the checkering. After the stock is finished, a light coat of oil is brushed into the checkering to seal the wood from dirt and moisture, while maintaining the crisp lines and sharp points of the diamonds.
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