Checkering primer - laying out lines and tools for starting out a panel

[Hayes]

Brian I am using the gunline tools also.....Question! Have you tried sharpening the cutters yet or is the temper too much of a problem?

Hayes

[Robert A.]

Awesome Tutorial Brian!! It is definetly an inspriation to go out and buy some new tools!! Keep up the good work Mate and thank you for sharing!

[BigB]

Brian I am using the gunline tools also.....Question! Have you tried sharpening the cutters yet or is the temper too much of a problem?

Hayes

I haven't tried sharpening.  I don't even know if they can be sharpened.     That's a good question though.  I have looked into carbide tools though.  But they are a little pricey.


Wes pointed me in the direction of the Gunline tools vs the Dembarts.  He thinks the Dembarts don't last as long.  I have 1 Dembart handle and a 18 lip two line cutter on it, but I haven't used it yet.  The cutter on it is similar to a medium grit cutter, as compared to the Gunline is a really agressive course type of two line cutter.


Brian

[Hayes]

I have read most of Monte Kennedy's book called Checkering and Carving Gunstocks, it is considered one of the better books on the subject. He mentions that most factory cutters may need the temper removed to sharpen. Probably so.....I guess you would need some fine cut, knife edge needle files!

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Hayes

[Comeback Calls]

 
BigB, thanks for sharing what you know!

Al

[ducknazi]

Thanks for posting this.  Been putting serious thought to making the attempt, just haven't.  Great teaching post.

DN

[Chamberlin Calls]

Well done, that may well be the best tutorial on checkering a barrel that I have seen! Not much that I can add but here a few thoughts.  Leave the electrical tape along the sides to protect from overruns, in fact I usually have it at least two layers thick.  I also keep a small pad soaked with a light oil handy ( 3 in 1 or Marvel Mystery Oil is fine) and frequently press the cutter into it, Seems to make for smoother cuts and adds a little oil to the lines. Have good light directly on the work piece.
If you mount the cradle in a  carving vise it helps a lot.

The one in the picture is a Wilton Power Arm that you can sometimes find on E-Bay.

[HuntnCarve]

Just a personal preference on my part.  But I like to lay out five or six lines in one direction, then five or six in the other.  This way if a mistake pops up, I can quickly fix it without jeopardizing alot of other points.  For me, the points seem to come up alittle better this way, and the cutter tracks better.  I also double up the electrical tape, and leave it in place till the work is done.  You did a real fine job of presenting this Brian.  Well done!

Dave

[Yotehntr]

  Awesome write up Brian!

[malblackbelt05]

This is a great tutorial... now I just have to figure out how to convince the wife that I need checkering tools