by straightshooter » 20 Jan 2017, 7:11 am
I haven't followed this thread too closely but if the crack hasn't passed too deeply through the wood then an almost invisible and durable repair is possible.
There are some very runny clear epoxies available with a pot life of 2 to 3 hours that harden in 24 hours with full strength in 7 days. They are more like 2 pack than your normal araldite.
IF THE CRACK IS AMENABLE then I would mask the finish around the crack, prop open the crack and work the freely flowing mixed epoxy as deeply and extensively into the crack as possible. When I was happy with that I would prop the crack closed and hope to see a bead of epoxy extrude for the full length of the crack.
I would promptly remove the masking tape after the epoxy has hardened somewhat and use a razor blade if necessary so as not to disturb the bead of epoxy.
After a week or more I would use wet & dry to blend the epoxy bead into the existing finish assuming it is synthetic.
The reality is though, it is probably easier to find a good cheap used stock that is now unloved due to the current mania for wannabee tactical conversions.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds