Stock checkering service

[amitellen]

I'd like to get the fore-end of my HW80 stock checkered.  Does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable checkering service?

Thanks!

[Bayman]

Good question. I subscribed to the thread to see the responses. Checkering is a real art when done right by hand so I'm curious if it's still done. I also have a laminate stock that needs proper refinishing so I might glean a lead for that too.

[Motorhead]

can't offer any direct info ... but perhaps an alternate, STIPPLING which one can do themself with some minor set up and a dremel tool.

Did this years ago .. http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/scott_schneider1/DSCF9738_zpsbqf6mnyi.jpg
Or just look here: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=83857.msg817254#msg817254

[SteveP-52]

The gentleman makes gorgeous custom stocks and pistol grips and while he might do the checkering you want, he might well be
able to recommend someone who can:

Steve Corcoran
Woods and Water Outdoors
1089 FM 1200
Gainesville, Tx 76240
Phone: 940 360 3473

[amitellen]

Did this years ago .. http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u532/scott_schneider1/DSCF9738_zpsbqf6mnyi.jpg
Or just look here: https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=83857.msg817254#msg817254

Scott, that is real nice work.  I don't know if I have the aptitude or patience to do something that good.  Secondly, as you may already know, the HW80 grip has checkering which may make stippling in the fore-end look out of place.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[amitellen]

The gentleman makes gorgeous custom stocks and pistol grips and while he might do the checkering you want, he might well be
able to recommend someone who can:

Steve Corcoran
Woods and Water Outdoors
1089 FM 1200
Gainesville, Tx 76240
Phone: 940 360 3473

Steve, thanks for the reco - I'll look him up.

[RedFeather]

Do you have any gun shops in your area? If so, you might ask around. Sometimes gun shows will have a table or two where guys show samples of their work. One by me often has a table with an engraver, for example.

[Sky]

When I wanted some checkering touched up and a new area added I called around to the local gun shops. Found a guy that did checkering between customers. Took a long time, but it was affordable and the results good.

[amitellen]

Do you have any gun shops in your area? If so, you might ask around. Sometimes gun shows will have a table or two where guys show samples of their work. One by me often has a table with an engraver, for example.

When I wanted some checkering touched up and a new area added I called around to the local gun shops. Found a guy that did checkering between customers. Took a long time, but it was affordable and the results good.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll ask around.  Where I live, gun shops are few and far in between!

[dtdtdtdt]

Long ago, I tried to do checkering and stippling on an old stock.

 CHECKERING - COMPLETE DISASTER!!!!!!!  I learned my lesson for sure.
 
STIPPLING - NOT QUITES SO DISASTEROUS!!  I did ruin a nice set of Herret stocks for a SW 41 target pistol though.

If you want it done ask for photos of verified work by the person you contract with. 
As above make sure you see work done by the person you wish to have do it for you.   And I repeat myself again.....

It's almost a lost art since lasars became popular. 

[amitellen]

It's almost a lost art since lasars became popular.

Agree - and expensive!!! I've been looking at laser checkering options.  My guess is that the grip checkering on the HW80 is done via laser - so the same for the fore-end may not be a terrible idea.  Plus it will save me a few bucks.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I would think that the price of a hand checking job you could buy a replacement stock.
 I did dome quick research and fo the $250 price of a factory replacement from PA LINKY you can get a MUCH nicer CS500 Sporter from CUSTOM STOCK LINKY

Might want to contact them on shipping charges... or look elsewhere for something similar.

[amitellen]

I would think that the price of a hand checking job you could buy a replacement stock.
 I did dome quick research and fo the $250 price of a factory replacement from PA LINKY you can get a MUCH nicer CS500 Sporter from CUSTOM STOCK LINKY

Might want to contact them on shipping charges... or look elsewhere for something similar.

I have looked into Custom Stock - a replacement American Walnut CS500 with "select" lumber service + Rosewood grip cap + shipping comes to about $400.  Any kind of hand checkering would cost at least $500.

[amitellen]

Unfortunately however, Custom Stock does not give options for checkering - just their standard pattern.  Their fore-end checkering panel is a bit too small and placed too far from the trigger guard for my liking, and Paul (the owner) is unable to make any adjustments.  According to him, any changes to the checkering are "very difficult, time consuming and expensive to carry out."