Restoring Checkering

[Ade]

Does anyone know where I can get a tool to restore checkering on an old shotty in australia.

[cruze82]

I had a gun restored by a guy in Perth that dealt with stocks only.

It was done after a police officer dropped my gun in the station and split the stock on my beretta shotgun, the gun came back better than of the factory line, all paid for by the WA police.

I will hunt down his card and pm you.

[Ade]

That would be great if you could. Thanks

[Warrigul]

I had a gun restored by a guy in Perth that dealt with stocks only.
it was done after a police officer dropped my gun in the station and split the stock on my beretta shotgun, the gun came back better than of the factory line
all paid for by the WA police

I will hunt down his card and pm you

So ultimately you paid for it yourself...................(albeit in conjunction with the rest of WA)

[nords]

It was done after a police officer dropped my gun in the station and split the stock on my beretta shotgun, the gun came back better than of the factory line, all paid for by the WA police.

Nice of them to drop it for you

[Brute]

(albeit in conjunction with the rest of WA)

Government subsidized shooting.

I like it

[Xerox]

MidwayAustralia sell a bunch of checkering kits.

Or ask your LGS. I'm sure they can order one from NIOA or Brownells or somewhere for you.

[cruze82]

Nice of them to drop it for you

Not so much. It was the inheritance from my grandfather and would it rather it stay the way it was

But 8 years on I'm glad its nice and fresh

[nords]

Ah, well that side of it sucks then

[Fry]

Not so much. It was the inheritance from my grandfather and would it rather it stay the way it was

Some things you can't replace. Sucks to loose something handed down the line like that.

[Mark TAC]

Midway kits are good. Have a look for the Midway how to checker video on youtube. It is a good help to get your head around it. If you are just restoring checkering, go for it, tools cost very little. I am too gutless to try it from scratch after hearing of so many failures....

[wheedle]

And shipping is sorted through their Aus branch.

None of the international shipping hassle.

[Mark TAC]

^^^ If you can get a reply from them. I have given up.

[wheedle]

Oh really?

Well that's crap. I have order from them before with no problems but it was like a year ago. Guess things have changed.

[Oldbloke]

I have this issue to. I just want to clean up some old checkering on a 12g SB.
I think I only need a fine cutter and handle. Any ideas, options?

[Gwion]

Brownelle's sell them online from the states. How many lines per inch is your checkering?

[Chronos]

I have this issue to. I just want to clean up some old checkering on a 12g SB.
I think I only need a fine cutter and handle. Any ideas, options?

for cleaning it up you don't need too much skill to follow existing lines one at a time so no deed for specialized checkering tools. I used a triangular needle file and heated it about 1" from the end and bent it 45deg then ground the tip back a bit. just get some Riffler files like these and you'll find one in there that you can use

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200mm-Riffle ... Swo0JWHM6B

Steve

[Yelp]

Does filing give as clean a result?

I thought the chequering tools cut the line, peeling up timber like a wood plane for a smooth finish. Not filing it down.

Splitting hairs maybe but seems like the finish would differ between original etched sections and where it was continued with a file?

[Gwion]

From what i've seen, the checkering tools are effectively just tiny files but they come in sets with predetermined widths between lines and also max depth. Only risk i can see with the above suggestion of using a modified single file is that you may inadvertently get varying depths and uneven checks, or, run the risk of deleting a ridge all together by taking a groove too deep.

[MR. WINCHESTER]

From what i've seen, the checkering tools are effectively just tiny files but they come in sets with predetermined widths between lines and also max depth. Only risk i can see with the above suggestion of using a modified single file is that you may inadvertently get varying depths and uneven checks, or, run the risk of deleting a ridge all together by taking a groove too deep.

Ummm ..... yeah.

All very good reasons, for using the proper tools !

( that is: if one wants a 'proper job' )

[Gwion]

Agreed... depends how fussy you are and if you value the resale return of your firearm.

[Chronos]

From what i've seen, the checkering tools are effectively just tiny files but they come in sets with predetermined widths between lines and also max depth. Only risk i can see with the above suggestion of using a modified single file is that you may inadvertently get varying depths and uneven checks, or, run the risk of deleting a ridge all together by taking a groove too deep.

Ummm ..... yeah.

All very good reasons, for using the proper tools !

( that is: if one wants a 'proper job' )

Agreed... depends how fussy you are and if you value the resale return of your firearm.

Of course, would I use a file on an expensive or collectable firearm? hell no, I'd get a pro to do it but as a way to tart up a farm gun or old roughy as part of refinnishing it yes i would, and have

Here's a very rough Tikka LSA55 I bought for just $300 as a donor action for a build.









It had been sanded all over and refinnished years ago by the looks and a bit of stripping and sanding showed how much checkering was left, mostly full of polyeurathane or some such. I was planning on buying a 90deg single row checkering tool to clean out the lines but a mate suggested a needle file or riffler file so i heated a needle file and started one line at a time. it takes ages, as i said the lines were full of varnish but it came out much cleaner and although not perfect it improved the handeling and look of the gun out of sight. still need to fit a new recoil pad and grip cap

Chronos

[Gwion]

Came up well, Chronos.
Wasn't having a go; just pointing out potential issues to the OP so they could make an decision which way to go.

[Chronos]

Came up well, Chronos.
Wasn't having a go; just pointing out potential issues to the OP so they could make an decision which way to go.

Yeah no worries G, just thought I should clarify I was simply trying to tidy up a real roughy not work on a $1500 firearm.

My suggestion was mainly in response to Oldblokes post

I have this issue to. I just want to clean up some old checkering on a 12g SB.
I think I only need a fine cutter and handle. Any ideas, options?

I simply have him one idea, option

Steve

[Oldbloke]

So I have an old sterling single 12g worth bugger all but its ok as a camp gun. It was given to me about 25 yrs ago and I just want to clean it up, fit a recoil pad, oil it and clean up the checkering.
I had a go with a triangular needle file for 10 minutes last week and with care looks like it will do the job. (Slowly) I think Chronos is right, needle files are an option for a basic tidy up. A decent stock, forget it.
So once the recoil pad is fitted, perhaps tomorrow, I will get serious about stripping the epoxy and starting on the checkering.
I have no intention of spending $300 for checkering on a $50 12g.
This project is a test before I do my brmo model 2. All going well.

[wrenchman]

is the bottom pic after you got it cleaned up if so it came out real nice