Hand Checkering Tools - What They Are and How To Use Them | MidwayUSA Gunsmithing

Hand checkering is a simple process requiring just a few simple tools. Watch along as Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA, describes the tools and their proper use.
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[@nickaschenbecker9882]

This literally answered every single question I had about checkering stocks and grips. Many thanks for producing this video!

[@davidstepeck2644]

Nick Aschenbecker, I totally agree! I watched the video several times, paused the video, and made of list of tools required and what each one is used for. Larry has a more in depth video about checkering, but this particular video explains what each tool is used for. I found it extremely helpful. Good luck checkering!!!

[@johnmoffatt839]

@nickaschenbecker9882..ashtre?

[@powderslinger5968]

The wide expanse of your skills is mind blowing! Machining, Hand forming, welding, woodwork, checkering, wood repair, etc etc. Most smiths specialize and farm out what they don't specialize in. Your shop is an amazing place to visit. I have learned so much from your videos and I am only about halfway through!

[@garywemmer9342]

So, now you can see that, the hand checkering process, is truly, a labor of love! Stay patient!

[@davidstepeck2644]

Larry, Thank you for taking the time to make all these wonderful videos. I have learned so much from you, that I don’t know where to begin. This video was particularly helpful. I watched the video several times, pausing where needed, and making a list of tools required, their specific application and what each one is used for. Thank you again, and please understand how much everyone enjoys your teaching skills and craftsmanship.

[@save1heaven]

You are the man. Thank you for all the helping videos.

[@akkaax3509]

Larry, you are always so happy!

[@ianchristensen9146]

Thank you, this was a very informative start to checkering.

[@6lu5ky86]

You're a good ole boy Larry. Love your work!

[@robertsalser848]

Very good video, I just found some checkering cutter blades and didn't know what they were, it just said checkering cutter on the package. I came here and now I know something I didn't . Thank you !

[@ibidesign]

Unbelievable workmanship.

[@rickhigson3881]

Larry is wonderful,what a gunsmith!

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very cool! Best checkering video I have seen, thanks.

[@avalon449]

Appreciate all the work that goes into these videos. Thank you.

[@richardsmith1289]

Bub Mullins show us some of your workmanship before running your big mouth

[@avalon449]

+Richard Smith Smith dude! What!

[@paparker1778]

Thanks Larry!

[@anonymity1557]

Mr Potterfield. Would using a chisel for the instead of a veiner give more control for the hard to reach areas. I’m new to this and made a set of fine chisels from old square- flat head screw drivers for detail work. When my hobby of painting became a successful career- I found gunsmithing as a new hobby to separate myself from my work. A thumbs up cannot possibly express my appreciation for all of your videos. Thank you for all of your hard work and countless hours providing commentary to your work ! I truly appreciate it sir. And thank you for your service as well as your never ending support for Our Second Amendment. -Meacham Family

[@anonymity1557]

*chisil for the detail work *

[@ViaAvione]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

[@robbyritter4245]

I have an old Model 70 Winchester with the Schnabel forend and fleur-de-lis engraved stock, it's one of the most beautiful styles of stock checkering/carving that could ever grace the walnut wood of a longarm.

[@Macdonaldacademy]

Very informative, thankyou!

[@DracoOmnia]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@dixoncider7256]

very nice work and excellent tutorial. i had no idea what went into checkering.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Hey Ron, what's up?

[@ibrahimyousef]

Great work

[@ezgoeubanks]

Great video and very helpful. These are great for line point checkering, skip line and flat top checkering. Can you make a video showing how to do Fleur de Lis?

[@aldenunion]

Hello Sir,I've collected thistletop knives,many years.I have made gouges etc but never figured how they did the thistletop checkering pattern until now.This I want to learn. What a technique that will change my life.I would love to just set making thistletop handles.lol..Thanks so much. All makes sense.I will memorize all your video..Checkering kit,yes...lol...Cheers!!!

[@aldenunion]

Sir,can I ask you?I mentioned collecting "thistletop " knives,well They used these Checkering method in handles.I realise are size difference in which kits to get.Wish I could send you a picture of a Union/kabar or Olcut thistletop fixed blade hunting knife,and you'd tell me ballpark of sized kit I'd need..On site I saw them,they started at 18'-and went up.Im not certain if low number is bigger or higher number.Would you know what kit if I wanted to recreate the diamond pattern on wood handles?Thank you,regards,Tim

[@12gmentalist]

Expert as always ! Happy new year ! ;)

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very good! Thank you.

[@garywemmer9342]

You could make your own checkering tools, IF, you are a master tool maker, but...... The store bought is sure to make life easier!

[@davidstepeck2644]

Larry, I am going to take your advice you gave on your “Project 67” video and restore my Winchester 69A rifle that I picked up for $100. I’m going to start by restoring and upgrading the stock by checkering and adding a forend tip.

[@paultrimble9390]

Nice work uncle Larry.

[@hidayatdayat4609]

I like your work and beutiful. Hebat Mr...,saya salut. Thank you..terimakasih

[@LUISCARLOSSERAPIAO]

Its helps me a Lot!!! Thanks

[@jamescarlin569]

Awesome dude thanks so much

[@GraphicTscom]

That is a lot of work, but the outcome is beautiful

[@iacomastro]

In the small shops as well as in the great gun factories of Lombardy (Italy), this work was typical of women. It requires LOTS of patience.

[@jsmecanicamotoimlemento9459]

Hola es muy bueno lo q haces soy de argentina me gustaria aprender hacer y otener las herramientas. Es genial como quedan esos trabajo un abrazo

[@paultrimble9390]

This is a dying lost art. I do believe. We need get these young guns in there. We need little wood on ar’s. Maybe that get youngster’s doing it. Lol. When it’s done right it’s beautiful. I love good checkered patterns. Puts the cherry 🍒 on top.

[@marioamayaflamenco]

Beautiful

[@esotericbear9829]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your craft. Would you recommend practicing on a broom or shovel handle or just go for it?

[@muqllidagah9336]

Спасибо за видео ! 👍🙏

[@ninjaswordtothehead]

A few simple tools. And a tremendous amount of skill.

[@aldenunion]

Hello Sir,I have been admiring for long time..I collected old Thistletop trappers knives and before they started molding them,the early ones were dome as such.. Any recommendations of best priced first set to buy? to get me started? I see flexible ruler is a must for dowel shaped stock...They had a 1\4 inch ridge splitting each sides scale of checkering,one ridge on top and ome on bottom..Amazing those early knives were not more money considering the labor...Wow!!!! Know wonder Union Cutlery and Roger's started molding the handles....Regards,Tim

[@chadenfier3671]

شكرا جزيلا.

[@Vikrant-S-Khurmi]

Excellent piece of work Mr. Potterfield. Where can I get these fine tools?

[@chasrmartel4777]

You do realize that Mr. Potterfield is the multi-millionaire founder of MidwayUSA? I'm sure he would suggest MidwayUSA!

[@markstrain9429]

Great video. I have an old Squires Bingham Stirling Model 50 .22WMR. The stock was exposed to moisture over a long period and the varnish deteriorated and is ruined. I cannot buy a replacement stock. I watched your videos and wondered what is the best way to repair the stock. I've removed most of the varnish with a cabinet scraper. However, the checkering is proving to be very difficult. Do I use paint stripper or scrape the yucky varnish out? Some of the checkering is worn over many years of use. Can I go over the checkering to redo it? If so, how will I determine the angles for the cutting tools to use? Thx, Mark

[@prinzeugenvansovoyen732]

Can you please put in a link for the one side cutting spaceing tool , i can not find it on the Midway homepage and do you have them in metric

[@skycorrigan6511]

This is like like surgeon precision

[@rinaldofaria]

Wonderful job. Please, could you tell where I can buy those tools?

[@jonlucas5521]

Well, that's it for me! I'll never be critical of machine checkering again.

[@drewborgholthaus2010]

How do you sharpen a checkering set? I inherited my grandfather’s and am using it for fine carving & checkering but have a few that need sharpening.

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

I want to buy a set of checkering tools. Im already doing stocks but doing them rigt and complete would be the proper way so i need to buy some tools and learn how. I learn everything about rifles from youtube and the net.

[@57dogsbody]

Brilliant. Is there anything you cant do?

[@mattvanhugenstein]

Do you have to refinish the stock afterwards?

[@marcelotosta8524]

Saudações... preciso deste kit aqui no Brasil, Vocês enviam???

[@MDLinzee]

Can’t find the spacer tool shown in 1:36 point of video. Any add’l info or link appreciated.

[@gaudencioramirez6724]

En dónde puedo comprar las erramientas que usa para tallarlas rayas

[@aieschizo1991]

Hai Sir.. Where can I buy all set of this online. And how much for the whole set like in this video?

[@fauseth]

I want to hang out with this guy.

[@boydrugger-wp3ld]

Sir we're can i buy the tools please and thank you sir God bless you and your family

[@jakgridpongoudtha1126]

อยากได้เครื่องมือพวกนี้จังครับ

[@allan640]

Id like to try this sometime, but the cost of these tools seems excessive. At $300-$500 for a set, any starter tools that would let someone dabble at this to see if they catch it?

[@carlhollmann7022]

Where can I purchase a see through checkering tool?

[@KarlBAndersen]

Where can a person find the see-through frame handles?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Since this video is by Midway USA, they probably sell the tool.

[@1doorjumper]

Can the synthetic handle on a knife be checkered.

[@cicerojosedossantos4176]

Bom dia amigo..como fazer pra comprar essa ferramenta..

[@pires53]

Hello Mr. Potterfield Where can I find the checkering beginner set. I just email to Dem Bart Co. and, no one answer to me. Cheers Antonio (Portugal)

[@bobbydbuilder2873]

Where can I get cheap set of beginner tools?

[@createthiscom]

As I watch this I wonder if most of these tools are specialized to the gun industry for faster production and if a single simple wood carving v tool could replace most of these with a little patience.

[@brianday9216]

in woodcarving it's called a "V" tool , and a veiner is more "U" shaped ...

[@nagoya6toto]

Happy New Year 2014

[@MrMrsregor]

Happy New Year 2015

[@theepicpeguin]

MrMrsregor happy new year 2016

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Happy New Year 2017 (better late than never)

[@albertdyck2047]

Happy New Year 2018 (better in the future then never)

[@humwhatever185]

Happy new year 2019 ( better in the future of the future than never )

[@themuseicman]

Made that look easy. I’m sure it’s not! Can’t imagine the mess I’d make

[@suspectdown5133]

The Dan Erlewine of guns......

[@1m2m1m1]

👍👍🌹👍👍

[@blueshadow1996]

Send me info on your courses?My son is interested in taking a course somewhere

[@futuresonex]

Other than for their employees, to give them a better knowledge of what tools will be needed by their customers, Midway USA doesn't teach gunsmithing courses. They do however sell copies of the DVD armorer's courses from the American Gunsmithing Institute or AGI. If your son is interested in becoming a professional gunsmith he should look at www.americangunsmithinginstitute.net. Their courses are on DVD and range from assembly/disassembly & armorer's courses on specific firearms to a full master gunsmithing course that includes a basic tool set (including a professional quality Fordham tool & a small lathe) and courses on machining & welding. There are several other correspondence gunsmithing courses as well from places like the Sonoran Desert Institution, Pennfoster and others as well as many traditional college & technical school programs. Just google "gunsmithing school" to get dozens of links.

[@blueshadow1996]

Thank you for the info.,..

[@jmartillaro]

Does anyone know the brand of tools

[@davidstepeck2644]

jmartillaro The tool set Larry uses is made by Dem-Bart. Better late than never. Sorry, I just realised you posted this two years ago :(

[@davidstepeck2644]

Here’s the link: www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJ1XMF6/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_rikLEbKVFW4Z4

[@evecloudlet5284]

You can find nice instructions on stodoys website if you like to build it

[@swimbait1]

No explanation on how to use the guide

[@fillupread]

Know what would be awesome Midway USA? If you actually sold the tools you use in your own videos.

[@treatb09]

i would support this guy, it's just that i have a higher attention to detail, and i know he'll demand a premium for his sloppy work.

[@doylemetzinger1774]

I did it myself. I used Woodprix woodworking plans for this.

[@jackedupjunkers1922]

it only take a lifetime to complete.

[@illfaptothis333]

haha wobbly line

[@youenn2180]

Scary job , the tiniest mistake is already a total failure..

[@HexterTheJexter]

Really good advice WHY do we need SHIT music??????????????????????

[@crazyfvck]

+HexterTheJexter You're a moron.

[@12gmentalist]

Expert as always ! Happy new year ! ;)