Challenging Checkering Pattern Commission

Klenchblaize

Well-Known Member
I still have a hankering to see my custom PRS laminate stock checkered as per the intricate and 'artistic' pattern I conceived during the build and that Callum Ferguson declined to undertake on the grounds I was either mad or, worst still, of the belief he employed magicians.

So then, who in the UK might be a;- up to the task and b;- willing and interested enough to execute?

I can dig out my hand drawn sketches that so alarmed Callum if it helps.

Cheers

K
 
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klench, be aware that laminated beech or birch does not take cut checkering very well due to the density of the wood, making it almost impossible to get good points on the diamonds
Walnut is more dense and harder and hence lends itself to checkering very well.

Ian.
 
WB is right - laminate is a bitch to checker but anything can be done with enough care and attention. If it's a tough pattern though, truth be told, the cost of checkering would probably be close to a fifth of the cost of the rifle.
 
Well, notwithstanding the key challenge that is setting out the pattern over a heavily contoured grip area (around thumbhole) it will need to be cut deep due to the green-hued laquer. This would ideally be executed with a Dembart-like motorised checkering setup that can dive deep and let the Weston Gunstocks maple dust fly! The one concession to madernity is I'm relaxed about not attempting 22 lines per inch. 18 would be fine.

K
 
Can't suggest anyone apart from the obvious ones on the forum but I'd love to see the pattern.
Your wish is ................:
e1c6614d-aae6-4dd4-9047-28f33a6efd02_zps3w4d4u8v.jpg

Sadly I can only find a poor photo copy but it conveys an idea of what I wish to achieve. The esthetic of the pattern is more important than conventional checkering protocol, hence an attempt to convey the contours I require rather than lines per inch.

It won't be to everyone's liking but I consider it right for the stock in question.

K
 
You know what. I don't hate that! It's different but not gaudy, at least not on paper.

I think it'd look great done. As has been said, it'll be a pain/expensive to do on laminate but it's your money!
 
pretty straight forward IMHO, reminds me of the last curvy one I did - the curvacious blonde, I really liked that gun too, should never have sold it!

the contour lines/ie, veining lines are of course just wood characteristics, what you're looking at is just a non-straight line pattern.

One thing though - if that's french/skip line checkering you have in mind, forget it, you're making things around the thumbhole inlet just about impossible for the checkerer and any very minor mistakes in spacings due to the extreme curvature in the thumbhole will be excessively obvious to the naked eye.

One other thing - the laquer on the stock's got to come off first, it will only clog up the checkering tools.

The mechanical tool you describe is good, but won't cut the mustard in the thumbhole inletting area so it would have to be a handjob,,you know what I mean :eek: LOL

I'd do it, but you'd have to push hard to get me far below 1k...and I assume front end would require a similar style, and then a re-lacquer of the stock without getting into the checkering..oh what joy :) that's the beauty or oil finish, you checker on top of it/through it.
 
As mentioned above, CNC laser chequering might be the way? Would need 5 axis CAD/CAM software to model the pattern and wrap around the profile of the stock (stock would need to be probed on the machine to ascertain the datums).

Specialist stuff this - Air Arms have some beautiful chequering and engraving on their rifles (including thumbholes) now but from memory this gets done in Italy - might be a stretch but if your heart and wallet are set on it you could do worse than give them a call?
 
It is French chequering by the looks of it which is why I feel it would be such a PITA but doable just no room for errors as PKL say they'd stand out miles off.
 
Already you guys are worrying me as you're demonstrating the classic thinking Client's worst fear. Namely either a reluctance or inability to hear what has actually been conveyed!

Forget what appears to fill the pattern by way of checkering type and lines per inch please.

No way is the lacquer coming off.


K
 
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