Recoil Pad Installation - How to suggestions please
 

I have ordered a Hawkins recoil pad and would like to do the installation myself when I receive the Trojan 20 ga just purchased. I don't have a belt sander which I believe most 'smiths' use in shaping the pad to fit the butt stock. Nor do I have access to one. Is it possible to take one down with rasp/file and then final sanding by hand? Any suggestions? I really would prefer to do this myself.

Or bite the proverbial bullet and buy a belt sander.

i can't see a rasp or file leaving a good finish on the pad, maybe with a lot of hand sanding towards the end

for the cost of the second pad you'll need if it doesn't work- you can probably get a small belt sander from a place like Harbor Freight

Probably more economical to buy one than to come get mine in Canton but your welcome to borrow it or the small bench belt sander from Harbor Freight. I think the HF was only 40.00or so. Wish i could have made up my mind on that Trojan sooner but i'm sure it's in good hands.

I think I'll just bite the bullet and pick up a small belt sander. Any recommendations on what grit belt(s) to start and finish with and also when it's sanded down flush with the butt, is there any finish and/or sealer that I should apply to the pad? Or just leave it be.

Thanks Dan. I'm going to pick up a sander although Canton isn't that far away. My aunt and grandmother lived in Canton on the corner of Bailey St and Messenger right across from the pond. It was the original Capen homestead. Many visits there growing up and many fond memories. Also, while I grew up in Dedham, Ma, we hunted the Neponsett meadows for grouse, pheasant, woodcock and occasional ducks. Oh, what memories. Thanks again for your reply. and to all

What a small world it is.I know that house across the corner from Russel's near the Dickey house.Hunted the meadows and all over town. What a different world it was then.

That's right. Dick Russell (Russell Oil?)lived on the opposite corner. The coverts I hunted as a young boy and man up there unfortunately no longer exist. The covert that we called Rust Craft is now built up, the coverts in Westwood are now housing developments, as is the end of Greenlodge St (where I grew up) is all housing now. What a shame but I still have many good memories. My very first double on grouse was as a 16 year old and hunting one Saturday morning behind the Norwood Airport and 3 hrs before a scheduled H.S. football game! If Coach Dorrington knew that his captain of the football team was bird hunting before our games, he would have shot me! OMG. What memories. What say you and I get together this Fall for a shoot at Markover or Addieville?

Without a proper sander (i suggest a 12" diameter radius sander) and also a recoil pad grinding jig, i see you having a difficult time in doing a prper installation.

Allen will there be an April shoot at Addieville? If so i hope to make it. Your first double was it on the Gibbons estate? My only double was there in 63.It was Russel oil.Look forward to meeting you.

April 9th, click the calendar button at the top of this page for details.