Stock bending

[bruce a lyons]

Once owned a Parker that was sent back to have the heel raised from 3 1/2 to 2 1/2. Does anyone know how this was done? Any links with pictures? Thanks

[Rick Losey]

it is done by soaking the stock in oil, applying heat while applying pressure with a specially designed jig

some one did a pictorial on it on another board, I will see if I can find it


found it http://bbs.shootingsportsman.com/showthread.php?1217-Bending-Gunstocks

[Brian Dudley]

It is my opinion that anyone considering bending a stock thinks long and hard about it and also considers what type of bending is needed.

Based on many conversations with people who have had stocks bent lead me to believe it is a total crap shoot as to how well the stock will turn out. It all depends on the particular gun, the piece of wood and the amount the wood needs to move along with in what direction.

I believe it is easier to bend for cast or toe than for drop.

In regards to the Parker factor adjusting stock dimensions of returned guns. I would be curious to know how they did it.

[John Campbell]

Mr. Dudley is indeed correct. Anyone contemplating stock bending is pulling the handle on a very low-payout slot machine...

[Brian Dudley]

I had a gentleman call me a month or so back asking about restocking a GH Parker. It was broken through right at the rear tang screw. I mentioned to him that was a little of an odd place for it to break. He later told me that he had the stock bent for drop some years ago and asked if I thought it may have had anything to do with the break. I told him most certainly.

[Carvel Whaley]

I have had a couple of stocks bent to raise the comb. One had been broken and repaired and the bending went fine. It's been a couple of years now and thus far no ill effects. I shoot the gun on a regular basis. I do think it is somewhat of a gamble but I figured on a stock that had been repaired before, what did I have to loose. I would do the same again. Carvel

[William Davis]

I have had 2 Trojans 1 VH and a Birmingham Hammer gun bent. About a half inch at heel. None were collector guns all fit better with a higher comb. It is a crap shoot but my experience is the odds are pretty good. Fellow that does mine warns you in advance, makes no guarantee.

Have steam bent and cold molded fair amount of wood in boat work was intrested in his methods. Jig is simple not simple is knowing how much heat how fast to turn the screws and knowing when to stop. It's not something I plan to try at home.

My 10 G 2 grade hammer gun is 3 1/2 inches at heel. I would not try it. Too much needed too nice to take the risk.

William

[Mark Ouellette]

I have also bent stocks up to a half inch. Sometimes they won't move at all, sometimes they bend and spring back, and sometimes they bend and stay. It's kind of like being alone with a woman. A man can only push so far before all heck breaks loose!

[Carvel Whaley]

The 12ga hammer gun I had bent was almost 2 in at the heal no problems as of yet. It had been broken and repaired before, when bent, it cracked again and was repaired with more modern epoxy and has been ok so far. The way I look at it is, if the gun is not a collectible, and you want to shoot it, why not make it fit. JMHO. There are some options with glue, epoxy and others available today that fill small cracks in 100+ year old wood and make it more durable than it was in the beginning. This is far less expensive than a new stock and for a gun that might end up as a parts gun, can be used and enjoyed. To each his own I suppose. Carvel

[Ed Blake]

I have also had a few stocks bent up and it seems English walnut bends better than American. Plus on 100 year old guns the wood can be considerably older. Proceed with caution.

[Brian Dudley]

Carvel, I believe you 100%, but I would have to say that your situation is in the extreme minority. I do not think many people would be able to have a stock bent up to 2" for drop without running into major issues.

[Carvel Whaley]

Brian, the gun had so much drop it was impossible for me to shoot with any success . I wanted to get it up 2in but we could not get quite that much. As I mentioned, it had been repaired before and was pretty much useless as it was. We bent it until it cracked again, repaired it where it was which if I remember correctly was about 1/4 to 3/8 less than the target I wanted, but decided that was probably as far as it would go. So far so good. But I do think that is risky and would not want to try it on a nice stock. This gun was headed for the scrap pile so I had nothing to loose. Luckily this one turned out good but I am sure it could have just as easily have finished it for good. Carvel

[William Davis]

Extreme bends throw the pitch off too making it hard to shoot unless cutting and building back up with a recoil pad.

Carvel and I use the same stock man. He knows his woods very well and has a good idea of what it will and will not do looking at it before he starts. Told me my VH had a good chance because it was French walnut sapwood lot of resin in the wood. Two Trojans one was light colored American walnut sapwood other darker straight American Walnut, he had his reservations about it and it bent a little less than the lighter color one.

William

[Drew Hause]

Images of the jigs and technique here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/16314697