Tool reccomendation for learning to checker a stock

[Bill Holcombe]

I was just wondering if anyone could make a recommendation as to what to get as far as a set to learn and practice doing checkering with.

I don't know that I will every actually try it on a stock, but I have a lot of scrap wood from my father in law who is a wood worker that I can practice on and try it out.

Not sure if one of the gun specific sets is the way to go, or just pick up some cheaper veiners and gougers?

[Brian Dudley]

Get a starter set from either Gunline or Dembart. I prefer gunline. It will give you everything that you need to be able to checker in one particular LPI. 20 lines per inch is a good one to start with and use going forward, but if you want coarser, 18 or 16 may be the ticket. Finer makes it "harder" to space the lines, but you dont have to cut as deep to point the diamonds up.

The starter sets from either manufacturer run in the $50-$75 range. Sometimes you can pick them up on Ebay for a good price.

[Bill Holcombe]

Thanks Brian!

[allen newell]

Brian, if I wanted to pick up a set of checkering tools as you suggested, which one would I use to re-cut the checkering on a Trojan?

[John Campbell]

Not meaning to sound cynical, but there is one other tool you will need: Experience.

This will manifest itself in at least three to six ruined stocks over a period of at least a five to 10 years. In the upscale shops, this is the LAST lesson a young stocker learns.

It's a little like trying DIY brain surgery...

[Brian Dudley]

Just like engraving. Experience and skill are key. Reminds me of a recent experience of mine with one of these "upscale shops" you mention. A seemingly straightforward job came back to me looking like it was cut with a dull screwdriver.

[tom leshinsky]

to recut checkering you need a 60 degree single cut tool, but be aware it is harder to recut checkering because the old job was done with different tool by a different person. some of their tools were hand made.