doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com "best" stock duplicator??

I'm interested in some feedback on stock duplicators...wondering about degrees of accuracy to expect from various companies, timeline, and experiences good and bad.
I know a couple who have used Wenig's for years.

Has anyone here used Michael Kokolus? Any info on what to expect and feedback is welcome.

Anyone else I should consider?

Thanks,
Dave

I have always heard that the Hoenig and Rodman machine is the top of the line. It ought to be as I think it costs over $20,000. It is supposed to be very accurate. Dakota also makes one or did.

OB

I know that Ken Hurst thinks highly of Treebone Carving. They specialize in single shot and lever action rifles but may do others as well. They have a website and or good folks to talk with as they are very experienced. I think George Peterson I believe is a second generation gunstock man.

I know that Ken Hurst thinks highly of Treebone Carving. They specialize in single shot and lever action rifles but may do others as well. They have a website and or good folks to talk with as they are very experienced. I think George Peterson I believe is a second generation gunstock man.

George is a second gen stocker & duplicator. He will dup. any stock if you already have a pattern he can work from as he only keeps single shot & lever action patterns on hand. He has always done great work for me. Ken

Thanks for chiming in Maestro. I hope you and yours are well. Dr. d'Ozier sends with kindest regards and best wishes on the LeFevre project. ( T Think that was the original spelling of the Huguenot name.

Well, obviously there can be no true "best" because it is a matter of personal preference. Shane Thompson is a Guild metalsmith and stockmaker who turns stocks for the trade. He has a Hoenig and Dakota machine.

His number is 208-547-0383.

I think enough of his work and ability to send my stuff to him.

David:
I've used Mike K. many times, especially for my bolt guns. Does very good work. Regardless of the type of machine these guys have, it really does take an experienced operator that knows what he's doing to get quality work off of it. I've seen wood off a top-notch Hoenig machine that looked like it was carved with an adze, simply becuase the guy didn't know what he was doing or didn't want to take the time to do it properly. The machine is not as important as the operator, IMO. Hope this helps.
P.S. I always send my own patterns regardless of who does the duplicating;to do it any other way is asking for trouble,in my experience anyway.
Craig Libhart

I agree with the above post completely. I have had quite a few stocks duplicated over the past few years in upgrading my guns and in rebulding some auction cheapie finds. Several operators were used. I learned the hard way that the machine is not as important as the operator. I have had a few duplicated more than once due to a poorly skilled operator. One of the better duplicating shops I found, a retired railroad engineer from Florida who passed on last year, operated a mid priced two spindle machine and did excellent work because he took care to do it right! I watched him operate it twice, and was so impressed I bought one of my own just like it, knowing he was terminally ill. I have no intention of taking in work, it's for my own use, but maybe I'll make two at a time when I think I'm good enough and post a few for sale on eBay. I do think I have enough knowledge gleaned over the years to be able to tell if I am good enough or not, and if I am not good enough, I'll quit and sell the machine. I'll betcha' that won't happen, though.