Carving duplicator/stock maker - PHX area

[Old Grafton]

Well, it's here--now I get to ruin some pine 2x6's learning how not to ruin 'em Base is 1" CDX with 2x4 framing, all glued and screwed. Legs are 4x4 bolted to the frame (not pictured). Assembly was simple; other than a few burrs which should have been removed the workmanship on the machine itself looks to be well-done. I've addressed all the negatives in the review Fill linked above, so....we'll see.

[Fill]

Eh, its okay wood, probably somewhere in the 800 to 1200 range. Not totally outrageous to put on a 97, especially a clean original with sentimental value. Personally, I'd rather pu iron a 12 over a 97, but then, I prefer works of art to farm machinery.

that's quite a bit more than I estimated, and a whole heckuva lot more than I paid. Is that what the blanks are worth on the open market, or what finished stocks with that wood are worth? Not that it's too big of a deal, I'd still probably use those blanks for this project, but if it's $1k blanks, I'll do a whole lot more practice before I take my shot at carving and finishing them.

I have several other blanks that I bought as part of the batch, would someone be willing to tell me the "fair market estimate" of those blanks as well? I can post here or start a separate thread. For example, I've got a maple set that I was going to put on my Marlin 1894C that Mom gave me for graduating college. If that set is worth a grand, I'd consider getting some other blanks and carving that set to sell.

[Fill]

Good Luck, Old Grafton!

very excited to see how it works for you.

[HTRN]

I went by what I member seeing for sale on dressels site. Go take a look for yourself and compare to what you have..

[D5CAV]

seeing for sale on dressels site...

Thanks for another useful suggestion

I have a .450 NE which beats me. It has a stock like a European shotgun with steep drop to the heel, so I feel like I'm getting punched in the face every time I pull the trigger. I'm thinking of getting it restocked with a straighter American style stock.

Any suggestions as to which flavor of walnut is better for surviving a heavy recoiling magnum with a box lock action?

[Fill]

i've heard that myrtle wood is good for big recoil, very hard/tight grain. I guess I needed a good excuse to call my buddy who runs a sawmill...

[HTRN]

Any suggestions as to which flavor of walnut is better for surviving a heavy recoiling magnum with a box lock action?

Grain pattern is more important than species.

[D5CAV]

Grain pattern is more important than species.

What grain pattern should I look for?

Dressels site talks about a type of walnut called "paradox" as being heavier than other types of walnut.

Heavier might be better to balance out the two big .450 barrels.

Any thoughts?

[HTRN]

Weight can always be added with lead shot and epoxy.

As for grain pattern, think about recoil, and which way the stock would crack.

In the case of heavy magnum bolt actions, you want the grain to kinda curve down through the grip, so it doesn't shear off under recoil.