Finishing your own rifle stock.

[rdibley]

Still a work in progress. I'm taking my time with it, and will post when finished.

[Pector55]

That thing is insanely gorgeous! Nice work man.

[Rex Havoc]

Very, very nice.
I have a model 70 I've been thinking of toying with. After seeing those photos I may just have to...

[RussianSKS]

The laminate is already stained. Adding oil will dark the color significantly. You can otherwise, stain or burn the stock to add color.

When I have the stock shaped the way I want (using a Dremel) and all the hardware has been fitted, I sand the stock with coarse paper to take out any gouges or imperfections. I work my way up to 2000 grit paper. At that point, I steam the stock with an iron to raise the grain (making it rough again) and then knocking off the edges again with paper.

For finishing, you need to fill the grain with oil gradually and this gives the stock a shimmer/transluscent effect in the light. The early coats you can lay on thick and let dry without care to the finish. Once it dries, you can rub most of the finish back off with steel wool or 2000 grit paper. I prefer the paper because steel wool will wear the wood faster than the laminate glue and cause a ridged feel. You do this over and over until the pores of the wood are full and the finish looks smooth (which can take up to 20+ coats). Birchwood Casey makes a stock filler and sealer, but it makes a mess and degrades the shine. When you are ready for final finish, you rub the Tru Oil in with your fingers quickly and with the grain until it is almost fully dried. You then buff it hard and fast with the coffee filter to get a perfect smooth shine. Many times I rub filler coats out with the filters to get a feel for it and to coloring progress. I perfer the flat coffer filters without ripples and I just tear off the seam.

Armor All-will also harden Tru Oil alomst instantly. If you're in a rush you can spray a shot on your hands and speed drying.

Lycanhopethisisclearerthrope

Ok so when you say that the laminate is already stained, is that what the red, yellow and grey colors are in the stock you did, are those the laminate? Then the oil just brings those colors to life? I am going to sand down my stock and that would be awesome if i can get those colors in mine, but i dont know how u can do multiple colors. What exactly is the laminate? I am kinda confused whith all the differnt terms and techniques.
Im starting with a stock that was already on a gun, sanding it down to get the finish off. Then going from there, can i get those multiple colors like yours? Or will i just have to stain it one color then tru oil it?

Any help would be great!, thanks man

[Lycanthrope]

Laminate is a process in which thin strips of wood are glued together. It provides a more stable platform that ordinary wood in some cases. In the case of my stocks the colors are stained wood that has been glued together in that pattern (bought that way)......and yes, the finish is what deepens them. The bare wood is somewhat dull.

The Tru-oil has yellowed a bit over the years. I may dust it off and shoot it with poly.

Lycanforgotaboutthisthreadthrope

[LisaA]

WOW! Very nice craftsmanship, Lycanthrope.