Stock bending experiences ?
 

I'm experimenting with something new to bend a Fox, Parker etc stock without damaging the finish. I've got a junker parts Sterlingworth in process right now and have raised the drop at heel by 12/16". I can probably go another 16th or so. One consideration is the so-called "springback" = stocks that will partially revert to original drop in weeks or months after they've been bent. So ..... long story short, I ask if any of you have had a stock(s) bent and how they acted afterwards? What was the drop at heel when returned from the bender gent, and what do they measure now? Thanks for any inputs. frank

I can't speak for DAH but have had 2 Parkers, straight grips, bent for left hand cast. That was 10+ years ago and they have remained the same.

My VH has been bent for DAH & stayed the same years 5 now. My two Trojans, one O frame 20 other 1 Frame 16 ,were bent for DAH as a pair, work done same time. The 16 would not take the same bend, wanted to spring back just a bit. It's about 1/8 inch lower than the 20.

Fellow that does mine says it's very wood specific and you can't tell in advance for sure.

William

Thanks gents for your inputs. I decided to play it safe this first time, that the 12/16" reduction in drop at heel was plenty for black walnut. After I finished up it sprung back to 7/16" reduction. Drop at heel was 2-15/16" and now it's 2-1/2". This is a junker parts Sterlingworth and it's missing some of the firing parts so I'll just put it aside and see what happens over a few months.

I think you are fortunate to have it move that much at heel. That is pretty far for the wood to move. Better count your money and run.

I have has 4-5 Parker's bent up and over, mostly D grade guns. I agree it is very wood specific. I had a D grade hammer split at the wrist in attempting to move the heal 1/2 inch. I have had three well respected men do the work and found the wood moved back about 25% in most cases.
I have found the American walnut the most difficult to move .
David

I sent Mike Orlen a 20-ga. Sterlingworth with a 14" LOP and 2 3/4" D@H with instructions to bend it up as much as he felt comfortable doing. It was returned having a 2 3/8" D@H. It did not revert back.

I also have a 12-ga. Trojan with a 14" LOP and 2 3/4" D@H. I had that one bent up to about 2 1/4", but it didn't hold, within a couple of days it reverted back to its original 2 3/4" drop.

I wonder if a stock would hold its new position if it were held in the stressed position longer before releasing the bending apparatus....





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having bent wood for other uses- i found that there was a very very little spring back once the wood was cool and the clamps removed. since they were boat parts - once they were installed - moving wasn't an option

but i always wondered if wood would (there's a Gallagher bit there) lose some bend if it gets hot- say- left in a very hot vehicle for a long time

since heat allowed it to bend the first time

I doubt it Rick - once the wood has accepted its new position I suspect it would keep that position indefinitely. But, as previously stated, different woods do different things and I'll bet wood with more figure is even more unpredictable.





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