Cutting checkering

[bandit1250]

I took my CZ Scout apart today and got started on recutting the checkering and changing the borders from flat top to round top. The flat top borders almost look as bad as the old pressed checkering from years past. Haven't been doing any checkering for a while and it was making my trigger finger go numb after an hour or so. Had to lay the tool down and walk away from it for a while. It will almost make me feel cross eyed staying at it to long when the eye strain takes over. I in no hurry so it is no big deal and don't want to rush it to get it done and mess it up. The CZ lacquer is hard on cutters and will dull them down. Sometimes it is better to clean out some of the lacquer with a pass through it with a small file that is used at times when working on checkering. Trying not to make a slip and run over into the stock where it would need fixed and touched up or totally done over. Wife has to work this week end so I will stay home and work on this stock. Usually takes several hours on each panel.

[North Country Gal]

You have more patience than I do. I used to do a lot of needle point and some crocheting, but the old eyes just can't take it, anymore. Back in the day, I also did a lot of fly tying, but that was even harder on the eyes, especially tying those size 18 trout flies. May tie up some bass bugs for some summer fishing, though. Those I can still see.

[Ernie]

Would like to see some pictures of what you are doing.

[Sir Henry]

Ditto on the pictures. I would like to try it but I’m not allowed to play with sharp objects.

[bandit1250]

Ditto on the pictures. I would like to try it but I’m not allowed to play with sharp objects.

Should have some pictures today of at least one panel finished. The borders are being a pain to get them where I want them. My fingers are not doing so well with the arthritis in my finger joints. Had to stop last evening right in the middle of getting the borders cut because my fingers got numb and had no feel to control the tool to go any farther. I won't be able to do this work much longer. Have a nice holiday week end.

[BigAl52]

9098F0C0-6B37-4F91-B2A8-A5929204FD42.jpeg

BCDFAEFC-1449-40AF-A1AF-DBD3E6EFB330.jpeg

Here is some photos of Bandits checkering. Looks good Bandit

[bandit1250]

9098F0C0-6B37-4F91-B2A8-A5929204FD42.jpeg
BCDFAEFC-1449-40AF-A1AF-DBD3E6EFB330.jpeg

Here is some photos of Bandits checkering. Looks good Bandit

The top picture is the one I am working on. That panel is finished being cut. The borders were a chore to get them cut. The beech wood is very hard. I am very happy the stain is a pretty good match to the factory color of the stock. The bottom picture is one that has never been cut over. They are rough and kind of crude and offer very little grip. The hand cut has a lot of grip and just looks more finished and the round top borders in my opinion makes the job complete. I have probably three more CZ 452's that need cut over but I will need new cutters and wait for my fingers to recover from the numb feeling. Much thanks to BigAl for his posting pictures again for me.

[Ernie]

Beautiful job bandit. Much better. I am afraid I would be making a mighty mess of that. Are the cutter something that could be sharpened?
Thanks for posting Al.

[North Country Gal]

Beautiful work for sure. Way out of my league to attempt.

[Sir Henry]

Ditto on it being beautiful. I might have been able to do it when I was younger but nowadays my hands tremble to much.

[CT_Shooter]

Much thanks to BigAl for his posting pictures again for me.

Beautiful work, Bandit. Most impressive. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[markiver54]

Very, very nice. Tedious work, but you can certainly make it happen!

[brm4450]

Es muy bueno

[Hatchdog]

That’s a remarkable difference between the checkering on the two panels. Nicely done. Do you use Dembart tools? Used to work for a place that sold them and even back then (1980’s) they didn’t sell very fast. Probably a lost art for the most part, cool that you are keeping it alive.

[Shakey Jake]

Looks great to me!
Jake

[bandit1250]

That’s a remarkable difference between the checkering on the two panels. Nicely done. Do you use Dembart tools? Used to work for a place that sold them and even back then (1980’s) they didn’t sell very fast. Probably a lost art for the most part, cool that you are keeping it alive.

I use Dem-Bart and Gunline and both work equally well. I can understand slow sales on the tools. Some folks buy them and cut a few lines and decide it isn't for them and sell them at gun shows cheap and that is where I look for them. I need to buy new cutters and some 60 degree needle files. I have plenty of handles so I won't need any more them. The needle files are nice to have for tight spots and cutting lines that are so shallow in places the checkering tool or border tool doesn't want to follow very well.