Stock Sand-Along with Jim Kibler. Showing proper technique on sanding a flintlock muzzleloader kit.

Jim teaches how to properly sand a stock in this video. This is an area of gun building, especially when they are built from kits, where people tend to rush. When this is properly done the staining and finishing will go smoothly and look beautiful.
During the filming we had high winds and the power flickered off and on a number of times. The first time, when it came back on, the vacuum pump that we use for work holding malfunctioned and actually caught fire! Katherine knew Jim would grumble at her if she would have kept filming (though she really wanted to!). In the future, she will deal with him grumbling and keep rolling because it was really interesting.
Jim shows how to sand with the grain even in the challenging parts like the comb. Also, he discusses the importance of maintaining the shape of the stock and not rounding over corners or edges or wallowing out the low spots. There is a ton of valuable information and instruction in this video and much of it is in real time so you can follow along in your own project.
List of Products, Tools and Websites Mentioned in the Video
Kibler "Woodsrunner" Flintlock Muzzleloader Kit
Mirka Sandpaper: 150, 220 and 320 grit
Luxo brand articulating arm light
Bahco single cut mill file 8"
card scrapers .015 - .020 thick
maroon Scotchbrite
Gressel vise
various sanding blocks and backers
Gary Brumfield - prior gunsmith at Colonial Williamsburg. His website is still up. www.flintriflesmith.com
Iron nitrate & dye stains: • Testing Various Stains...
Staining & finishing WR: • Staining and Finishing...
Curly/figured maple: • Curly / Figured Maple ...
Hand carving WR: • Hand Carving Woodsrunn...
Kit class: • Sights-Employee Kibler...

[@emarquise32]

I delivered that CNC machine about almost 2 years ago. I’m glad to you guys are still going strong. Be safe out there and take it easy make sure to enjoy life.

[@gregturner3757]

Thanks for your hard work and attention to detail. Truly the best kit on the market. Completed my Woodsrunner kit and ordered the Colonial. Can’t wait to start working again. I’m a firm believer in all the Kibler products! I’m 75 and I hope to order the Fowler kit when it comes out .

[@scark00]

Jim you are truly an artist!

[@h-minus2212]

Thank you for taking the time to video the sanding process. That looked like some work - not hard, but vital to the final results. I spoke to Dick Miller about finishing guns at the Kalamazoo Living History show and he said that he has never "finished" a gun - he has just stopped. I nodded and pretended that I knew what he meant. I can't honestly say that I watched every minute, but I did see the highlights - the Ohio State quarter zip and the puppies. Our English Setters were watching with me and they approve of your content.

[@tropifiori]

My primary hobby is making period furniture.We scrape first to decrease sanding. This would takeout the scraper marks.

[@DocLaw172]

Gee, I wish I could be having as much fun and be as carefree as Murphy was at the end of this video. Thanks for adding it. 🥰

[@stephenfields6236]

I’ve watched all your videos, some of them several times, and all are very helpful ... but this one is the most informative video you’ve done in my opinion. Thank you. ( please do some carving on this stock too) Hopefully in the future you will sell things like scrapers and sanding blocks on your website. Your dogs provided comic relief !

[@TomCramer-xu8tx]

Thank you. I appreciate all of the tips. It will help me to produce a way better gun without all of the frustration of making mistakes.

[@galenhisler396]

That was great. I can't wait for mine to come, but I have my colonial to make smoke until then. Thank you for all you do. You are the best

[@andrewlloyd2604]

Bravo I've only watched the 1st part of this video but nice close up work very informative 5 stars to Jim and, whom ever filmed this video....Best one yet !!!

[@davidwhiren817]

I really like the 2 bulb inspection lamp that has a circular florescent with a bulb in the middle & you can select one bulb or the other singularly , or both bulbs at the same time !!! costly but well worth the investment !!!

[@xd451e1edcc8]

Just completed my Woodsrunner. Very, very useful instruction Jim provides in this video (and the other videos, too) . This was such an excellent kit -- i would love to order another.

[@wrxs1781]

Excellent video, always anticipating the next one.

[@HomesteadingPatriot]

Love my Colonial Rifle that I finished last year, she's heavy but beautiful and accurate. Was looking at an SMR in the next couple of months, but I've been hearing really good things about the Woodsrunner.. choices!..

[@kk5fe]

Thanks for the video!! Awesome to see what some say is a simple thing but in detail! Also since I am a dog person…. Thanks for the ending with the dogs!! ❤

[@MichaelJones-be2ke]

THANK YOu for putting these videos out. Ordered today and this helps ALOT!!! Can't wait.

[@ndmike]

Great video guys. Perfect viewing since we are in a blizzard.

[@kriswhitmore5155]

Great video! I enjoy the countless tips you provide in these videos. I’m very interested about “raising the grain” and hopefully learning the proper way to accomplish that process.

[@DavidLeslie65]

I must really want one I actually binge watched it 3 times and power interruptions made it real

[@hddm3]

Really well