Gunstock Checkering

[@jsullivan9238]

For a time I was a rifle stock shaper/finisher at Cooper Arms of Stevensville, MT. During my breaks I would visit each of the workstations and learn each process. The most impressive was the 'Checkering Ladies', a group of older-ish women who were at the top of their game. I watched with rapt awe as they 'ruined' my beautiful finishes with some of the most incredible checkering and made it look easy. Checkering and engraving is not dead or dying in the slightest because no machine can do what these professionals could--even if one used a CNC 6-axis mill with laser precision. I learned that good good checkering is not perfect and your eyes see it and interperprets this as custom work done by an experienced artisan because it's HUMAN.

[@RandomGuy9]

Well said.

[@praisejeebus7544]

That's crazy, I'm going to be checking for the same Cooper in stevi in a few weeks myself! Small world

[@vincentsodano3352]

What are these tool called I know they're line gravers but I can't find any to buy them

[@kevingambrell]

Just about the best most useful video on youtube about checkering! In 2 1/2 minutes you show more of what is needed to start checkering than all the other videos on here. Thank you

[@trpshooter9945]

PATIENCE and crafting skills, lost arts of todays society. Congrats for having the knowledge and fortitude to do this yourself. It sooo easy to send this off to a laser and let technology do the rest. Many props to you!!

[@PIG2285]

wow really makes you appreciate the detail that goes into true handcrafted materials

[@firefighter2551]

I've built a number of custom bench rifles for myself & a few others over the past few years and while they have all come out quite pleasing to the eye (and accurate) I've never had the nerve to try the checkering & engraving myself until lately. Bought a few of the tools recommended by a friend that used to do it some but videos for a beginner are sorta lacking. LOVE to see you do a good video with some voice over tips from the beginning. Looks like fine work you're doing there. Keep it up.

[@kassiog.6595]

so after a decade, are you good at engraving and checkering now sir?

[@ChrisHarvan]

Thank you for showing how this is done without a whole bunch of useless exposition and overt self promotion.

[@Bro-bi_Wan_Kenobi]

Your starting line to make most checkering patterns is made lightly with something to ensure a straight line such as a ruler and cut along it with an exacto knife. After the first line is made, use a Two Line cutter or three line cutter and go over the first line with it. What that does is uses the first line as a guide as the second tooth on the two line cutter makes another line right beside it in a parallel manner. Look up checkering kits at Brownell's to see what you might need.

[@sc00ny]

Been wanting to see footage of this for a while, thanks, great camerawork too

[@otasty7991]

@plkracer We want to see more! This is really cool to watch. You are great at this man!

[@Hirohamster2]

This is an impecable job, plus the camera you used is superb when in focus! Good job lad :)

[@WhiteVaille]

That's actually pretty amazing to watch. I think I could watch him for hours doing that in RL, tbh.

[@cgspeeddemon1]

@plkracer we want to see more!!! like the results and where and how much the tools were

[@Thestripper1]

Ofcourse we want to see more. This is great stuff!

[@doggonemess1]

Wow. I bet you're one of those people who can draw a circle freehand. I plan on doing some checkering myself, and I'm pretty sure I can't use your method right out of the gate. Amazing skills!

[@kryptoniterxn117]

this is truly an art and requires lots of patient

[@SalehMagrabi]

With CNC machines this art became history.

[@PerniciousParadise]

Really neat video, I'd love to see a how-to video using these tools, if you ever get the chance. I can get a feel for the technique of using the tools from this video but I'd love to see how you prep the stock and mark out the pattern, etc.

[@philipcasey6956]

i use a long feeler gauge for my first line. i think its .003, its thin because it can lay with the contours of the stock and gives you a straight line to work off of.

[@Aint1S]

Same thing I noticed... I should have know that's what's used to get it exactly right on the spacing. Thanks for the video!

[@Natedaschoolboy]

you sir are an artist lol it looks GREAT

[@SAVAGE308SNIPER]

I wish this video was longer, like, full-length.

[@shady75boy]

beautiful checkering wish we could see the final product

[@XOBubba]

Trying to get the hang of this and came across your video. Maybe you could do another and explain the various cutting blades and how you use them. Thanks for the video!

[@GeneralG1810]

Good quality vid mate but I would like to have seen the end result, dont suppose youve posted it else where have you?

[@MrMichelt13]

Nice! I'd be curious to see the end result.

[@lilham10809]

wow that was good, i mean holy shit look at how good it looks

[@yaahabibi9120]

I love your video! I would love to share tips with you. Keep enjoy!

[@captainpegs07]

Show us more! How can one use those patterns that are offered for sale? How do you start a straight line??? Tips and tricks?

[@jmfa57]

You made it look easy. I am guessing that it is NOT. Great video, thank you!

[@OneMansSanctuary]

More videos would be nice. I have never seen this done before!

[@andregross7420]

Beautiful work, I need to learn to checker soetime, but I will need to make my own tools if I can because tools are expensive and I don't have a job, wish me luck!

[@holmes1978]

WOW JUST EXCELLENT THATS SKILL !!!

[@BAmaurer08]

very cool man, im looking to get started making some custom stocks here, just in my spare time, and from what i can tell checkering is pretty easy if you just take your time and be deliberate. whats the finished product look like of this?

[@jrdeckard3317]

I use a Foredam tool with checkering head. Saves a lot of time. Expensive to buy.

[@marcman5109]

Really cool great job

[@geewok11]

wow that's awesome but how do you do the first lines?

[@lifeshort]

Fucking amazing to watch! Great video, thanks for sharing

[@stephmo371]

i could watch this for hours.

[@plkracer]

Hey everyone, I never expected this video to get popular. I was trying out the new camera on something that had fine details, and this was it. If you want to see more, let me know!

[@Killstre4k]

What about starting with a stock that is already stained and varathaned like you have done? Is it better to do this before the finishing? How do you get nice finishing on the checkering afterwards?

[@violeman]

PS , What are those tools called ? I have never seen anything like them before !! Thanks 4 Sharing !! DEv

[@LesgoBrandon7]

show us how you did the first few cuts?

[@pidner]

I cant find a set of checkering tools anywhere around here,nice or cheap,our most stocked,and well known gun shop "Green Top" sporting goods dont even carry them.I guess I will have to order a set.

[@rafaelpereiradesa8066]

Que belo trabalho! Que tipo de ferramentas são essas amigo?

[@pls916]

@plkracer Dude yes do more. what are those chisel's called?

[@6lr6ak6]

I have a weihrauch HW77 that needs re doing wish these tools were more available

[@violeman]

Wow , did you have a straight edge for your first line ? Thanks 4 sharing !! DEv

[@ghamdioa07]

He used straitner tool to draw first lines ,then started gravin'em more. Nice gob,and britty.

[@spraynpray]

Go to 1:10 and you will see he uses a very cool tool. There are 2 heads on it. The head on the right follows the previous line while the head on the left cuts the new line. It blew my mind!

[@revolverdon]

Where did you get your checkering tools? Thanks.

[@kingstoncowboy01]

What tools do you find best to work with? what brand?. Thanks

[@MrHighwayrydr]

Just so people know, he isn't freehanding those lines. The first two must have been done straight edged somehow (thats the amazing part) the rest of the lines are done with one of those tools, the one he scribes with sets in the groove of the one next to it. I'm not saying this isn't amazing, just that with the right tools and some patience, you could probably do it too. This video inspired me to go find some tools! Thank you.

[@rafaelpereiradesa8066]

What are the tools you are using? can you help me friend?

[@mauzerjezakon]

Hey, what kind of knives are you using? can i buy them in europe? or internet? do you have some links? Tnx

[@MsGunpoint]

nice checkering i also do the same and also at 20 lines per inch in India. if you have more videos please share.

[@soixe1997]

what is that tool called, and where do you get it

[@joseluistrejo5402]

Name of tools? Please

[@k_e_n_n_y_mccormick]

my guess is that you dont want the fine lines to darken, which is why you prepare the wood up front :)

[@mandrac2]

Where did you get those tools? All i can find is in the hundreds of dolars each.

[@schutendohkji548]

Heck, instead of showing us repetition of making the lines deeper, why kant u show us the beeswax end of the tool and where to buy it?

[@sinajg]

@astrofishy35 I don't think I've ever heard a special name for it. It's a checkering tool.

[@assassinlucky7]

Wait wait wait, is your gun still in its stock?

[@leonelperezramirez1804]

Disculp3n donde puedo comprar los formones para moldear si es tan amable de decirme por favor

[@SryImMinimal0815]

where can i get this tools?????

[@MrOramato]

The patience of Job

[@idleonlooker1078]

You'd think the stock would be fixed in a padded vice to stop it from moving before cutting the fine checkering. Great job, anyway!

[@y3sterdy]

what tools are needed?

[@ammosmith]

For some reason I always...ALWAYS screw this part up and veer off...I can't seem to get it.

[@TheLotroNerd]

where can one get these scratching tools and what are their names?

[@katzefrau1]

they are actually called checkering tools www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=checkering+tools&ksubmit=y

[@astrofishy35]

what are those tools called?

[@moniramakalilay9948]

Sir please ano po name ng gamit nyo pag binili?

[@joseluisbenitez8369]

Como se llama la herramienta que hace surcos?

[@TylerLL2112]

More video this is amazing

[@joelcouto7322]

Quais as ferramentas usadas? Quero fazer na minha mas não acho ferramenta!

[@AjackLee4]

you are awesome! id love to see more

[@jacosilva3009]

Nossa que bacana muito bom mesmo esse trabalho

[@rondinelesantos8253]

Qual o nome dessa ferramenta???

[@jplully]

Nice !

[@pedrokunis]

Super!!!!!!!!

[@jnicksnewstart]

Why wouldn't you at least put the rifle on a soft bath towel to protect the finish. Even if you're going to refinish the stock after you're done checkering, it would seem logical to not add any more damage than necessary.

[@michal.abramowicz]

All what need is a right set of tools....

[@JosealbertogarsihotmailcomJooo]

howse calles this tool porfas

[@Ygggdrasill]

Focus!

[@D148521]

Neat! Donnie D

[@ramazansafaozcan2713]

Çizgi dışına taşacak diye ödüm kopuyor

[@doroteoarango9273]

Cómo se llama con el que ase las lineas

[@gabrielyan3670]

Tool name?

[@1sine]

cool but lines arent equally spaced but very good non the less

[@Alex-yn3mm]

Вчера весь день потратил чтобы восстановить насечку на прикладе и цевье на тоз 34 , очень нудная и долгая работа . Правда резаки сам делал из сверла по дереву, получилось не плохо для первого раза.

[@anoarmanezes5101]

Como chama esta feramenta que vc tá uzando amigo pode me ajuda

[@rafaelpereiradesa8066]

Olá, também já pesquiso a bom tempo que tipo de cinzel são usados e ainda não consegui encontrar. Você já ?

[@anoarmanezes5101]

@@rafaelpereiradesa8066 ainda não obséquio encontra se vc conseguir me avisa é eu te avizo

[@boboriginal]

i dont know why but i wana do some work like that :|

[@Mrcaffinebean]

@soixe1997 checkering tool- Midway USA

[@Maclolp]

Make More.

[@pedronavajas3532]

I can't seem to apriciate the artists comments because you finish his thoughts before he can. Let the guy talk. Not trying to be rude , just a heads up.

[@djalmafaranifigueira4512]

preciso de uma ferramenta desta moro no brasil e não consigo uma ferramenta assim

[@bahiasniperqueiroz113]

E dois amigo não acho pra comprar

[@aceseights8815]

This is becoming a lost art. 😔

[@pedronavajas3532]

Crap !!! Just signed in after watching an other video. My comments were not for you bud.

[@iacomastro]

@plkracer WE-WANNA-SEE-MORE

[@malcommobo32]

Some explanation of what you're doing and why would have been helpful.

[@GardylooAlaska]

it really would be ok to talk....