Any one use them for blanks. They seem to have a very nice selection for the price of both English and American.

I think I've seen some recommendations on this site in the past for Watt's Walnut, but I'm going off memory, so don't put much store in that!

I have worked with some blanks from them.

Several years ago I bought an Extra Fancy Plus grade 2pc. American Black Walnut blank from them for a custom Fox project. After receiving the blank and reconsidering, I decided I'd rather go with high grade English instead. I subsequently sold it to a friend that utilized that blank on his Fox custom project--which turned out very well. Watt's walnut blanks, back when I bought, were kiln dried. I don't know if that's still the practice or not.

DES/TSD recommended Watts, in a class he taught.

Bob Watts has excellent wood a good prices. I have used a number of his blanks for restocking projects and they have all turned out excellent. Bob will tell you if a blank that you are looking at has any issues that need to be addressed such as run-out in the head area etc.

I have some photos of a bolt gun that I did for a client that turned out very nice and the blank was worth twice what the client paid for it. I would post pictures but it seems that Photobucket has turned into a garbage hosting site so that will not happen!

Doug,
If you email pics to me, I'll get them up for you.

tedjs@usfamily.net


Best,
Ted

Here they be!









Mr. Mann will be along presently to explain what we are looking at, I imagine.

Other than really nice wood, I don't know any more about the projects he photographed.

Best,
Ted

Thank you Ted!

The top two photos belong to a Mod70 pre war that I did about a year ago using Watts walnut. The blank was perfectly layed out and worked and checkered like a dream. The owner is a VERY experienced rifle guy and says the rifle is very accurate and shoots very nicely.

The third photo is from a Lefever Optimus Quality that I finished a couple years ago. This blank was perfect for this shotgun and the blank was very favorably priced. I've seen blanks priced for at least twice what this one was for the same quality.

BTW, Bob is a very nice guy to talk to and do business with!

Gentlemen:

I too have had very positive experiences with Mr. Watts and his wares. I recently purchased a very nice blank from him that is going on a rifle built for myself.


Glenn Fewless

Glenn,
Just curious...did you ever do anything with the Lefever FE I sold to you a few years ago?

I recently finished a Parker Reproduction DHE with a piece of walnut from Robert. Yes, I recommend him for wood...especially Black Walnut from the Midwest region. Watts Walnut donated the California English Walnut blank on the ACGG 2017 Bespoke Shotgun project...pictures may be seen on the ACGG Facebook page. (Bespoke because the stock will be made to conform to the dimensions of the buyer. Unashamed promotion by the Project Director!!) Inquiries may be made through the ACGG Executive Director at www.acgg.org. Craftsmen on the project: Craig Libhart, Ed LaPour, Bruce Farman, Roger Ferrell, Jim Blair, Brian Board, and Gene Simillion.

Bob does not use a kiln. He uses a sweat tent method letting the 100% wet wood shed water quickly within a six month period to get to 40%. All the wood is sticked and turned monthly during this time (or so Robert told me). All air dried under tarps in his yard in MO. After getting them to 40% he brings them inside to dry less quickly and to make sure they are not damaged in any form. The Parker Reproduction DHE wood blank submitted was at 12% when I got it. It was at 12% when I completed the project.

Thanks all. Good stuff indeed. Appreciate all the comments.