Plywood laminate,

[Splash]

I thought that it might make for a nice look, then Andrea showed his and I had to do it. I had some 3/4"yellow pine that used to be a closet door in a bedroom, house built n `63, nice grain for plywood, hehe. Well I glued it up a few weeks ago and just let it sit,while I worked on another. I got to scratching my head, trying to figure out which way I wanted to go on that 1, so I started on the plywood. Turns out that this is going to be a very nice stock, I hope it is enjoyed where it's going. I've never seen plywood with this kind of grain all of the way through, looks real nice. Anyway I don't like to type, so I'll just show you the pics, 2 days carving. I hope you like it,hehe.
Mike

[shadow]

WOW! out of a door, fantastic work Mike and the grain design really stand's out. I like that alot hehehe, now if we can get one for a lefty lol. Ed

[davee1]

Mike, wow!!! That is absolutely beautiful. I hope you show us some pics after you color it too. That is one gorgeous stock. Dang, I'm attracted to it!!!

[Splash]

Actually Ed, I was going to make this one a lefty, but I screwed up. I've got enough of this plywood for 3 more and 1 is yours, I was hopeing you would like it,hehe. This is going on a B-3, in Texas, I think,hehe.
Mike

[shadow]

Cool :) would be proud to display a stock like that on my babies. Ed

[Splash]

Thanks Dave, I hope to have it stained by the 1st of the week, I'll post more pics then.
Mike

[JMG]

I just got forced off the phone with Mike tonight doggone phone batteries.... Anywho he had called me earlier tonight because he wanted me to take a look at this stock, When I got home he finally got a hold of me and we went to talking about the pics. All I can say is that I think he has a very cool signature series design going on here. I am very impressed at the work he is coming up with in the beginniings of his learning of how to make stocks. Whats really cool is this isnt even the finished deal it is still in the rough cut stage hehe. Mike is a pretty cool guy to talk to I have enjoyed our couple of conversations we have had. If you get the oppurtunity to talk to him do it because he is about as down to earth as a guy can get and his enthusiasm for the things he does shows in his conversations. Great looking stock Mike keep up the awesome work!!

John

[Rixtrix]

Great looking stock, Mike. Oughta be fantastic once you get some finish on it. Watcha thinking of using?

Ric G

[DanoInTx]

That is some wild grain for sure.  Should look pretty nice when it's all done.

What gun is this going on?

[Splash]

Ric, I haven't thought much about the finish,yet. I did try some mahogany gell stain,on a scrap piece that looks real nice. I am going to stain a few more scraps and see which one is liked best by the new owner.

Dan, this one is going on a B-3 in your neck of the woods. Back when I did my B-3 stock out of a 2x6 John contacted me to see if I would be interested in making one for him. At that time all I had to work with was basic hand tools and was working off the tailgate on my truck. Now I have a 4'x8' table set up so I can work all the way around it and better tools to work with, more on the way. I decided that I'm going to start making custom stocks for the guns that nobody else does,ie Gamo Hunter Series. Because of the style of the stock I figured that I needed to send out a couple, to be sure I can get the fit right, from a few measurements. Maybe John will let you shoot it, hehe.
Mike

[Splash]

There was a few voids in the plies on the forarm, so rather than try to work around them, I had a crazy Idea. I noticed a couple of pieces of mahogany with some nice grain in it, so I decided to cut out the voids. I still have adjust the fit, but you can get the idea of whats goin on, I hope you like it. Right now the forarm goes to just behind the cocking handle, let me know if you want it shorter.
Mike

[JMG]

Mike that stock is looking really good. As far as the length of the forearm I am undecided.... sittin here staring at the pics I am just not sure. Hehe it is your design and I am gonna leave that decision up to you. I think it looks good where it is but would probably say the exact same thing if it was shorter lol.

John

[Splash]

and it is starting to come together. I may take off 2 more plies on the left side of the butt, not sure, that would still leave it 1 1/2" wide. Instead of filling the few voids on the butt with putty, I thought about drilling it out to 3/16" and plugging it with a dowel. I put a piece of hardwood at the back of the inletting, where the rear screw goes, thought that would be better than the plies. I have tried a few dif finishes and I think oil will be best on this, to much end grain for an even stain job.
Mike

[JMG]

Hehe Mike each time you sand on these laminate stocks the grain changes kind of like a kaliedascope. Of course now that the stock is really taking shape I have to be working on the action that will be residing in this new home. I guess the hard part for you is trying to decide whether to remove more material to get rid of the voids in the top piede of laminate you see.........but if you do you are asking whats underneath hehe. Did you just drill out the section in the inletting and put doweling in or did you put a block in there?

John

[Splash]

John, if you look at the 2nd pic, you will see a small block of hardwood in the back. You still have plenty of time to get the action ready, the forearm is going to take awhile. I did remove the 2 plies on the left side and shaped the cheek well yesterday, it looks alot better. I will not be able to get much done today, but I will post more pics this evening.

Well I waited to take more pics, the back 1/2 is almost ready for final sanding. I have a crazy idea for the forearm that should look sweet. I am going to put several coats of bedliner on, for a butt pad, 1/4" should do.
Mike