doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Fisrt Restocking Project

I broke down and bought a piece of claro walnut.
I would like to redo my Merkel 147 but inletting the scalloped boxlock has me worried. I need a good book or some good tips. Where do I find them? What do you recommend?
Thanks

well, your not exactly picking and easy first project. Scalloped actions are somewhat akin to stocking a sidelock, not easy. Buy westbrooks book, "professional stockmakin" it has lots of tips. You need SHARP chisels and inletting tools. A tool to bring the action tight into the head of the stock helps too. Good luck,
Steve

SKB is right, what a first project! Why not just start with a sidelock Im just giving you a hard time AWOLF. Some helpful tips would be, go slow, there should never be any need for hurry or rushing. If you want it to look good, and more importantly fit good, take your time. Use stock inletting black and take small, precise cuts. Always make sure you have sharp tools. I cannot stress you much easier it is to have sharp tools. You will get a finer fit, less of that "ripped" or "torn" looking inletting. It is well worth your time to stop and sharpen your scapers and chisels every once in a while. I like to make templates out of stiff paper and use them as a gauge for my stock. I do this for the stocks tangs and such. Like SKB also said, you will want a jig to hold the action tight against the stock. Galazan sells them or you can make one. Another option would be to send the old stock and your piece of wood to a stock duplicator and have them rough fit the stock. This will save you a lot of time and trouble if this is your first project. Keep posting if you have more questions, and be sure to show the final product!

Man if this is your first job, I would practice on a crappy piece of wood first. The project you have is not for the faint of heart. It might be a good idea to send it to someone who can "semi-inlet" it first for you. That way all you have to do is the final fitting. Far less risk of using that nice piece of claro to keep warm this winter.

My first restock was an SKB with it's scalloped action. I had Wenig rough shape the stock and I did the rest. Like CMWill and SKB said use "sharp" tools and take your time. I did not have to make a stock vise as my gun has a through bolt. I don't know if your gun has this. You might need to make a stock vist to pull the action to the stock.
The end result is quite gratifing and gives one a lot of confidence to get into all kinds of other trouble.
Good luck and take you time, Gordon

I've been making my small chisels out of old drill bits as I saw long ago in a Muzzle Blasts magazine. I understand old power hacksaw blades are even better, but don't have any.

I've made a lot of tools, mostly specialized temporary metal cutting tools and even a tap for the 1911 grip bushing thread (1/4"-56), out of drillrod. It's commonly available and easy to HT.

There is nothing like a strop to get that final, razor-sharpness, which is VERY helpful. If you don't have one and need some info, there's a good article on sharpening on the 'net.

I've used Claro on several stocking projects over the years and after the last one, a BSA #2 Martini barreled and stocked for .17 HMR, I will not use it again. I'm sure there are good pieces out there, but I have not been able to find one. It's just too "punky" for good inletting, in my opinion. You may end up doing a lot of glass bedding. It certainly is pretty, however.

Have fun with your project,

C.

Awolf, email me with any questions at gunscrew@yahoo.com. I will be glad to help you. Bobby