Stock Refinish

Ben

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
Some of you may have seen my FN, 98 Mauser 7X57 sporter rifle that I've posted pics of ? I built this one about 35 yrs. ago. About 2 years ago, I had an opportunity to get the rifle back in my hands again and I'm glad it is home now.

Through the years, the rifle had been subjected to minor dings, and stock bruises. I decided a month or so ago that I'd remove all the damage and refinish with a low luster, all pores filled, satin oil finish.

I'm happy with the results.
The scope isn't much, it will be removed soon and replaced with a nice Leupold.

Ben

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Snakeoil

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
Well, Ben, you have certainly impressed me with your skills.

So, if I understand correctly, this is a commercial FN Mauser action that you barreled and stocked. I assume that the checkering is your work as well. If so, you have my sincere respect for your patience and attention to detail. Your close-ups would have revealed any overruns or boo-boos and I did not see any. Very impressive.

So, I have to ask, do you checker stocks for others or is just therapy for you?

I must admit that I'm surprised that you sold that gun, unless you built it for someone else originally. I don't think I could part with something I had that much work into.
 
Ben

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
Snakeoil said:
Well, Ben, you have certainly impressed me with your skills.

So, if I understand correctly, this is a commercial FN Mauser action that you barreled and stocked. I assume that the checkering is your work as well. If so, you have my sincere respect for your patience and attention to detail. Your close-ups would have revealed any overruns or boo-boos and I did not see any. Very impressive.

So, I have to ask, do you checker stocks for others or is just therapy for you?

I must admit that I'm surprised that you sold that gun, unless you built it for someone else originally. I don't think I could part with something I had that much work into.
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The man that hired me to do the work 35 yrs. ago sent the stock off to be checkered, he paid $650 for the checkering back when gas was $1.59 a gallon. Prior to his death, he sold several of his custom guns. A man in Florida bought this particular rifle. The new owner of the rifle and I stayed in touch and I finally managed to get the rifle back home.

No, I don't do any checkering.

Ben
 
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J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Makes my best work look like a child's macaroni mosaic - after the bus trip home from summer camp in a duffel bag with dirty socks and underwear.

Absolutely amazing work.
 
A

Alstep

Member
Beautiful workmanship & attention to detail.

May I ask, what did you use for the finish? What was your process?
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Absolutely Gorgeous wood!

And I will also ask, at least the product(s) used. Process I have a decent idea of. Curious of the product(s) you used.
 
Ben

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
I once read :

" It is often times not the finish selected but the preparation of the surface and the technique of application that differentiates the end outcome of efforts to finish a gun stock. "

I don't think there is anything magical about the MinWax product, but I've used it before with good results on many different gunstocks. Could I have used a different product and got similar results ? Yes, most likely.

Ben
 
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Snakeoil

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
Ben said:
I don't think there is anything magical about the MinWax product, but I've used it before with good results on many different gunstocks. Could I have used a different product and got similar results ? Yes, most likely.
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Funny you should say that, Ben. I don't suggest anyone do this, but I've used water-based poly as a finish for things I've made, including the walnut handle on this breech seater which I posted a few weeks ago. Rub it on with fingers and hit it with a hair dryer and you are ready to steel wool and add another coat. It's pretty tough when dry as well. Not sure I'd do a stock with the stuff. But I might. If you need a finish done in short order, this works good. For the few rifles I've refinished, I've only used Tru-Oil or Herter's Liege finish. The problem with both is they take forever to dry. Patience is not one of my virtues. 20221210_150052.jpg
 
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