My first stock from a blank was about 30 yrs in the making! I had a couple of blanks I picked up in the 70's, and started to make one for a Rem 1900 I have. Didn't read anything, just started rasping away. The inletting was done just as ignorantly as the shaping. I totally ruined the blank! I started on the second blank, but lost interest, probably due to my frustration with the first experience.
I became interested in the project again about 8-9 yrs ago. This time I read what I could find, and took my time with the project.
I used sharp tools, and when I got tired I put the blank up for the day. The lesson I learned is the same as the advice given in the previous posts. Heed the advice given by this knowledgable group and you should do fine.
