Sold: Stock Chequering tools

[Ttocs]

I don’t suppose anyone has some old stock chequering tools they’re not using - ideally just a pair of single cutters. I’ve an old shotgun I’m restoring (just entertaining my self) and the chequering could do with a little recut.
Let me know if you’ve anything kicking about.
Cheers
N

 

[MAH]

Try ebay.
.

 

[Ttocs]

Hi all, I’ve placed a wanted add in the Classifieds “Other Shooting Equipment” for stock chequering tools but not getting any offers so I thought I’d mention it here to see if anyone has any ideas where I could get my hands on some. I’m looking for tools to clean out/recut the chequering on an old shotgun stock I’m playing with; it’s an old abs box lock ejector - guns not up to much but the stock is a stunning bit of walnut. As you can see, in the photos below, it was broken at the hand - I’ve glued it but need to cut the overfill of the glue out of the chequering. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to clear the glue,
out of the chequering, before it set due to the way I was forced to clamp it due to the anatomy of the break.
Cheers
N

 

[Ttocs]

Thanks for that - I had seen that tool on eBay but it doesn’t appear to have any teeth left on it, judging by the photos. There must be some out there just taking up space in someone’s draw.
Cheers
N

 

[Dunwaters]

They’re difficult to come by, Brownells used to advertise them singly and as sets but the price was eye wateringly expensive.
Best suggestion I can offer you would be a set of fine dental picks to crack the adhesive and scrape it out, those you can get easily enough.
By the way, your gun stock looks like it might be hatched rather than checkered, the tops of the diamonds look flat, if you use a checkering tool to recut it, it will bring the tops to a sharp point.

 

[Fosbery Holster]

I’m only guessing here but don’t you need to know how many lines (chequering) per inch to confirm which chequering tool you need ? you may end up buying the incorrect tools, I’m sure someone in the know will confirm what you need.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

I used some riffler files I had kicking around. Found one that fit the profile and used it to clean up and slightly deepen the checkering. It worked out ok but it wasn’t an expensive gun by any means. I just wanted rid of the horrible polyurethane finish.

 

[Tim.243]

Hi all, I’ve placed a wanted add in the Classifieds “Other Shooting Equipment” for stock chequering tools but not getting any offers so I thought I’d mention it here to see if anyone has any ideas where I could get my hands on some. I’m looking for tools to clean out/recut the chequering on an old shotgun stock I’m playing with; it’s an old abs box lock ejector - guns not up to much but the stock is a stunning bit of walnut. As you can see, in the photos below, it was broken at the hand - I’ve glued it but need to cut the overfill of the glue out of the chequering. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to clear the glue,
out of the chequering, before it set due to the way I was forced to clamp it due to the anatomy of the break.
Cheers
N

@triggertrix might have some?

 

[Fosbery Holster]

After my reply to your post l remembered that l had a set in my workshop, I’ve had them many years but never used them in anger.

 

[willie_gunn]

There are a couple of second-hand supposed "checkering tools" on eBay at the moment.

More interestingly, someone is selling brand new Vallorbe Retouching files. In the description they say they believe these are designed for recutting chequering. This makes sense, though perhaps not specifically for gun chequering, as Vallorbe also produce flat files designed for cutting the chequering on tool handles, etc. I only know of Vallorbe from their reputation within watchmaking, where they work under the Glardon brand name.

At £7 each plus £1.55 postage this might be worth a punt....but be sure to practice on some scrap wood first!

 

[Frank Homes]

All you need is Swiss needle files.

 

[MarinePMI]

For tools, you'll need to know how many LPI your existing checkering is. The tools are sold based on how many lines per inch is desired in the checkering.

GUNLINE CAMP PERRY SET,16 LPI

 

[MarinePMI]

Looking at the US site, it appears checking tools are no longer made. Looks like you're just left with using a checkering file to clean up the existing checkering.

Sign of the times I suppose...

 

[willie_gunn]

For tools, you'll need to know how many LPI your existing checkering is. The tools are sold based on how many lines per inch is desired in the checkering.

GUNLINE CAMP PERRY SET,16 LPI

The Retouching file is just a single edge, so theoretically the LPI wouldn't matter as would be re-profiling the chequering line by line.

On the down side, more chance of messing it up!

 

[Ttocs]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I’d measured the LPI as around 24/26 - quite difficult on a curved surface so concluded I may be better off with a single cutter. A double or triple would be significantly easier but I’d need to confirm the LPI is I went down that rout
Cheers
N

 

[HonestJohn]

You will likely find older shotguns were checkered with hand made tools the stocker made himself. Many are not pitched, therefore over cutting them with modern tools will completely change the pattern, and if the LPI isn’t spot on, by the time you get halfway, you’ll be cutting into pyramids of checkering. Look closely at the existing checkering and decide if making your own tool to fit the angle and the width might not be the best option. An old screwdriver in mild steel, bent with heat, flattened, and then filed to the right slot width and the front curved slightly to allow it to ‘run’ is a good option, cheap, fun, and adds a bit of class to the project. You can cut little serrations in the blade if must have, but usually not required if just re-running into existing lines

 

[Arbshot]

Peterdyson.co.uk has tools in stock

 

[Len the dog]

I was looking into this quite recently as I have a stock to refurbish. About the only company still producing the cutters is unfortunately based in Russia and cannot export due to sanctions. I have ended up buying some lengths of 4mm tungsten steel rod and wooden file handles to make my own tools, there are plenty of tutorials online and it doesn’t look particularly difficult a job to make some single line cutters at both 60 & 90 degrees and a veiner.
I certainly wouldn’t want to attempt a new checkering job with them, but for redefining existing lines they should work well enough.

 

[willie_gunn]

This is a link to the Vallorbe Checkering file on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glardon-Vallorbe-Checkering-Course-LP1166/dp/B075MLHWRZ/

Not cheap, but reading the reviews there are numerous knifemakers using it to add jimping to knives, so I would imagine walnut would be a lot easier.

For adding new chequering to a gunstock or a tool handle this might potentially be an option but, as @MarinePMI and others have said above, for existing chequering it will depend on whether it matches the existing LPI.

I'm almost tempted to get one, just to have a play around with some of the tools in the man-cave!

 

[BuckleyR]

@Ttocs did you have any success finding chequering tools for your job? I am looking for a set and can't seem to find any new tools available in the UK. Ullman precision seem to be what everyone is using but they come with a price tag (and import duties)