Old Trev-39 wrote:Hi Denis,
As an add on to my previous post, my first stock before a milling machine I used a gouge, rasp, zec disk and sandpaper around a piece of 1''galv. water pipe to do barrel channel. It took some time but got it done and it is still in use. So if you have the time you do not need any expensive tools.
Cheers,
Trevor.
Hi Trev. Thanks for your input too. I do agree with you. I have built a stock the way you've described. Router, sockets wrapped in various grade sand paper, dremel, etc, using a free piece of spotted gum. It was my trial stock simply to get a feel of what's involved in stock making. Here's a thread to it where I have some progressive photo's up until its completion. viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5282
Once I learnt how it needs to be shot, I've found that it shoots REALLY well with free recoil technique. Here's my best target of last weekend on the hex system at Belmont. This was my .284W shooting 168 VLD's at 2940fps in my trial stock. The conditions were very mild and uniform. It was a good testament to the stocks ability to hold good vertical.
http://shooting.hexsystems.com.au/shooting/50117
Over the course of this build, I put it aside quite a few times very disheartened by the way certain things worked out. Mostly my frustrations were due to the lack of having the correct tools and feeling like I was wasting time. I loved the satisfaction especially once I worked out how it liked to be shot. I want to build more stocks for myself (improve on the last), though I'd be reluctant to start another with out at least a vertical mill and a table saw. These tools are not too far away.
Sounds like making your own laminate blank might be a way to heighten the satisfaction a little more.