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ash stock #14225072 10/23/19 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska I just had a four foot diameter ash log sawed in Minnesota. I grew up with that tree....it was large when I can first remember it as a young kid. I've decided it needs at least one gunstock made from it and had two nice blanks sawed....sorry, no pics..... Since I've never used ash for this before, I'm asking for any advice you folks can offer....yes....I know it's fairly dense and therefore heavy...what's your advice?

Re: ash stock vapodog #14225211 10/23/19 Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 11,114 Layton, UT D denton Campfire Outfitter denton Campfire Outfitter D Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 11,114 Layton, UT Not so different in density from maple or birch. Be not weary in well doing.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14225987 10/24/19 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,319 Tropical Alaska P pabucktail Campfire Tracker pabucktail Campfire Tracker P Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,319 Tropical Alaska Plenty of traditional muzzleloaders have been stocked with ash. Is the wood properly dried and ready to be worked or is it recently cut? Do you want to do the work yourself or have someone else do it? If you're wanting a project I recommend going with Custom Rifle Stocks in Aaronsburg, PA. Like you, I had a piece of wood from a sugar maple on my aunt and uncle's place, a tree we'd all walk by every time we went hunting. An ice storm took it down and I eventually had CRS profile me out a stock set for a Ruger No. 3 project. I'm in the home stretch with it now and its been very satisfying.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14226066 10/24/19 Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 263 Northern Mi. N Northern_Jim Campfire Member Northern_Jim Campfire Member N Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 263 Northern Mi. I have used ash for a few home projects. I think it would make a fine stock, please follow up with some picks of the finished stock if you decide to do it.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14226124 10/24/19 Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 365 Idatucky eric1186 Campfire Member eric1186 Campfire Member Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 365 Idatucky I wonder what the wood drying time is compared to Maple or Walnut...Isn't it usually measured in years?...Many years...

Re: ash stock vapodog #14226432 10/24/19 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,243 North Carolina W wilkeshunter Campfire Outfitter wilkeshunter Campfire Outfitter W Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,243 North Carolina Without being kiln dried, wood will cure about an inch per year, if stored in good conditions.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14226867 10/24/19 Joined: May 2005 Posts: 10,445 north central PA S shootinurse Campfire Outfitter shootinurse Campfire Outfitter S Joined: May 2005 Posts: 10,445 north central PA We used a lot of ash trim in the house. A lot of nice grain. Should look good on a rifle. I'll second pabucktail's recommendation for Custom Rilfe Stocks. If they don't have a pattern you like, they'll duplicate yours. "Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard

Re: ash stock vapodog #14227394 10/24/19 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska I will have this kiln dried to 6% and then routed by Dennis Olson of Plains Montana. He has done many for me and I've always been happy with his work. I will take the blanks to the Amish in Augusta Wisconsin for the kiln drying and suspect that will be about March before I can have a blank routed. That's about the time to go salmon fishing on Lake Superior. I've done a few customs before including my own checkering so now the thing I need to do is to find an action to put in it....let me see if I can find some photos

Re: ash stock vapodog #14227416 10/24/19 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Here is a Maple stock I built for a Howa 1500 [/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

Re: ash stock vapodog #14228708 10/25/19 Joined: May 2005 Posts: 10,445 north central PA S shootinurse Campfire Outfitter shootinurse Campfire Outfitter S Joined: May 2005 Posts: 10,445 north central PA Dang! You've got skills! That's pretty. "Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard

Re: ash stock vapodog #14229005 10/25/19 Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,263 Out Yonder T Tejano Campfire Tracker Tejano Campfire Tracker T Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,263 Out Yonder Really interesting stock, the first spalted one I have seen. Lots of guitars but unusual on a rifle stock. I like a light suigi or flame finish on ash axes and baseball bats. If done very subtlety it enhances the grain and color. Overdone it looks cheap. Ash responds well to potassium permanganate too, same thing as the flame needs to be very subtle or it looks bad. It is easy to sand back to almost bare wood. "When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli

Re: ash stock vapodog #14229129 10/25/19 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,319 Tropical Alaska P pabucktail Campfire Tracker pabucktail Campfire Tracker P Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,319 Tropical Alaska Nice work Vapodog! How easily does maple checker compared to walnut? How many LPI is that stock? I've never done any checkering but plan to get some tools and have a go at it.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14229676 10/25/19 Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,263 Out Yonder T Tejano Campfire Tracker Tejano Campfire Tracker T Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,263 Out Yonder Not Vapo but if anything it takes checkering even better than Walnut. It is harder but more homogeneous. The birdseye or fiddleback figure can be more difficult but no more so than walnut burl. "When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli

Re: ash stock vapodog #14877762 05/14/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska here is a photo of three ash stocks that were kiln dried in Wisconsin

Re: ash stock vapodog #14877770 05/14/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska the photos don't do the wood justice. One is being routed in Montana now. I'll post a photo when it arrives.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14882618 05/16/20 Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,263 Out Yonder T Tejano Campfire Tracker Tejano Campfire Tracker T Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,263 Out Yonder I would be tempted to do a very light stain more of a wash coat to increase the contrast, but the grain is so nice on those already maybe oil alone will make them pop, then what ever is your finish of choice. Might be worth testing on the scrap wood. Oil, diluted spirit stain and finish only. I would also look at some muzzle loaders for comparison. Some of these were treated with Aquavit, Iron Oxide and vinegar, Potassium permanganate and flame finishes. I hope you saved some of the straighter grain wood for axe handles or other tool handles. The lower two I can picture the stock already, the upper one doesn't have as obvious a layout on it. "When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli

Re: ash stock vapodog #14883476 05/16/20 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,137 3 300_savage Campfire Regular 300_savage Campfire Regular 3 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,137 We still have some ash pole corral at the family farm, and I cut some for repairs and for gatesticks in barbed wire gates every few years. When green, it is very supple. A green gatestick will bow into a C shape in a short time under tension. An ash gatestick allowed to season for two or three years is strong, won't bow, and lasts forever. In corral poles, they are best installed green. They season over the decades to as hard as iron! A 50 year old ash pole needs to be drilled for the spike to hold it to a post if you need to reinstall it. They get a little brittle then, occasionally break at the thin end. . I know you asked about gunstocks, but from this experience I would say that a good piece of ash, dried properly, would make a fine stock. I would not make the wrist too thin, though.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14883929 05/16/20 Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 10,093 Kentucky Hills R reivertom Campfire Outfitter reivertom Campfire Outfitter R Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 10,093 Kentucky Hills Originally Posted by vapodog Here is a Maple stock I built for a Howa 1500 [/QUOTE][/quote] This is the first modern type rifle I've seen with a Spalted Maple stock. Nice!

Re: ash stock vapodog #14884349 05/16/20 Joined: Jun 2019 Posts: 2,508 TRexF16 Campfire Regular TRexF16 Campfire Regular Joined: Jun 2019 Posts: 2,508 Ash is of course a particularly open grained "ring-porous hardwood" so you will have a bigger job getting the grain filled smooth than you would with typical walnut. But if you can get a quarter-sawn piece out of your log it should make a stable, rock-hard, stock. Might not take very fine checkering though. Please update if you proceed. cheers, Rex

Re: ash stock vapodog #14887447 05/18/20 Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 50,620 Anchorage, AK USA Sitka deer Campfire Kahuna Sitka deer Campfire Kahuna Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 50,620 Anchorage, AK USA fissile... Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14933428 06/02/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska A reminder of the ash project Last edited by vapodog; 06/02/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14933620 06/02/20 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 8,221 PA Teeder Campfire Outfitter Teeder Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 8,221 PA Very nice!

Re: ash stock vapodog #14933646 06/02/20 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,907 B Bearcat74 Campfire Tracker Bearcat74 Campfire Tracker B Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,907 Originally Posted by vapodog A reminder of the ash project Wow When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14934864 06/02/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Just an addition....walnut root wood widow's peak

Re: ash stock vapodog #14934950 06/02/20 Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 287 Northern IL S smitty_bs Campfire Member smitty_bs Campfire Member S Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 287 Northern IL Dang both of your rifles are beautiful. That's some mighty fine work on the widow's peak....you should be proud. Congratulations. I'm anxious to see what type of action and caliber you select.......

Re: ash stock smitty_bs #14936040 06/02/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by smitty_bs Dang both of your rifles are beautiful. That's some mighty fine work on the widow's peak....you should be proud. Congratulations. I'm anxious to see what type of action and caliber you select....... Actually it only one rifle. It will house a Howa 7-08

Re: ash stock vapodog #14941863 06/04/20 Joined: May 2005 Posts: 10,445 north central PA S shootinurse Campfire Outfitter shootinurse Campfire Outfitter S Joined: May 2005 Posts: 10,445 north central PA Beautiful. Love the grain of ash. "Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard

Re: ash stock vapodog #14943285 06/05/20 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12,107 O Orion2000 Campfire Outfitter Orion2000 Campfire Outfitter O Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12,107 Looks great! Thanks for the follow up pictures.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14944271 06/05/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Just added some sling swivel studs

Re: ash stock vapodog #14945254 06/05/20 Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms N navlav8r Campfire Ranger navlav8r Campfire Ranger N Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms Very purty. 😀 I wish I had the patience, skill and tools to do that. NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.

Re: ash stock vapodog #14947923 06/06/20 Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 44,970 North East Urth Valsdad Campfire 'Bwana Valsdad Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 44,970 North East Urth Excellent, appreciate you sharing your work. The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni) member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?

Re: ash stock vapodog #14947939 06/06/20 Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,531 Central Texas Gulf Coast F Filaman Campfire Regular Filaman Campfire Regular F Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,531 Central Texas Gulf Coast Dude, why you asking us? You're definitely a pro at this. Just show us some picks when you're through. What goes up must come down, what goes around comes around, there's no free lunch. Trump's comin' back, get over it!

Re: ash stock vapodog #14948290 06/07/20 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta G GRF Campfire Regular GRF Campfire Regular G Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta Vapodog; thank you for your ongoing efforts in keeping us informed on the ash project. Your stock work is beautiful. The choice of a 7-08 Howa is stellar in my opinion, for what my opinion is worth Thanks again for sharing the story and pictures. GRF

Re: ash stock vapodog #15008840 06/29/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska cutting the bolt handle relief The bolt handle seems to fit nicely And sand a ramp for the eject port. Last edited by vapodog; 06/29/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15008933 06/29/20 Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 9,189 15 min from elk, MT H HuntnShoot Campfire Outfitter HuntnShoot Campfire Outfitter H Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 9,189 15 min from elk, MT Gorgeous. I am very envious of your skills. I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15009159 06/29/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Nice work! “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock vapodog #15009195 06/29/20 Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,552 People's Republic of New Jerse... J Jerseyboy Campfire Regular Jerseyboy Campfire Regular J Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,552 People's Republic of New Jerse... Outstanding work. I never thought ash could look that good. All the ask trees around here are either dead or dying. I had to take down all the ash trees in my yard - 40 or so - a long time ago. They went into my fireplace. NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter

Re: ash stock vapodog #15009674 06/30/20 Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 601 C chamois Campfire Regular chamois Campfire Regular C Joined: Jun 2015 Posts: 601 Very nice stock! I wonder why walnut has been, traditionally, the sigle wood choice for gun stocks.

Re: ash stock chamois #15010797 06/30/20 Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 50,620 Anchorage, AK USA Sitka deer Campfire Kahuna Sitka deer Campfire Kahuna Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 50,620 Anchorage, AK USA Originally Posted by chamois Very nice stock! I wonder why walnut has been, traditionally, the sigle wood choice for gun stocks. By far the best common wood, worldwide due to mechanical characteristics. Only one NA wood has better mechanical properties when comparing equally dense woods. That would be bigleaf maple, but it is usually much less dense than walnut. Among the characteristics making a difference (in no particular order) would be stability in use, bending strength, hardness, average density, beauty, tendency to (not) split, shrinkage rates in the two major cross-grain directions, ease of drying, and others. Many are great in a specification or two, few are close in all the categories. Maples are okay, but usually if they are tough enough to be really good they are mighty heavy. And because the various strength characteristics vary due to many mechanical properties just being heavy is not everything. Myrtle makes a beautiful stock and performs well, but it is quite difficult to dry and supply and distribution are lacking. Weatherby used screwbean mesquite for a while on some stocks, but it is rarely big enough. Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15012482 07/01/20 Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,541 G Gringo Loco Campfire Outfitter Gringo Loco Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,541 That walnut root tip complements the stock nicely. Often as not, I find fore stock tips a net drag on a stock's appearance, but the shape and color tones really work with this one. Well done.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15012549 07/01/20 Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 60,663 Iowa/NW Ontario W wabigoon Campfire Kahuna wabigoon Campfire Kahuna W Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 60,663 Iowa/NW Ontario Nice, it that white ash? These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"

Re: ash stock vapodog #15012622 07/01/20 Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 3,235 Coulee Country C cv540 Campfire Tracker cv540 Campfire Tracker C Joined: Oct 2014 Posts: 3,235 Coulee Country Stunning result "Put none but Americans on guard tonight." -George Washington

Re: ash stock wabigoon #15012887 07/01/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by wabigoon Nice, it that white ash? it was grown in southern Minnesota.....that's all I know about it.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15019063 07/03/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska progress update I finally got inletting screws from Brownells and inletted the bottom metal to fit the barreled action. l also installed a scope 3-9 power. The rifle went to the range for testing..... here's the result with TTSX 120 grain and a modest charge of CFE223.....a full 100 yards.....I'm happier than a kitten in a creamery. Last edited by vapodog; 07/03/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15025010 07/05/20 Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 246 west central WI Buckstopper Campfire Member Buckstopper Campfire Member Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 246 west central WI Originally Posted by vapodog Originally Posted by wabigoon Nice, it that white ash? it was grown in southern Minnesota.....that's all I know about it. I'd say yes. I have made enough ash canoe paddles to recognize white ash grain. Black ash has a totally different grain structure and splits easily. Although it could be green ash. I had a forestry professor tell me that to tell the difference between green ash and white ash, you have to look at your feet. If your feet are wet, it's green ash. If they're dry, it's white ash.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15025675 07/06/20 Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 28,713 West of the Blue Ridge Pappy348 Campfire Ranger Pappy348 Campfire Ranger Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 28,713 West of the Blue Ridge Very handsome and beautifully done. What fresh Hell is this?

Re: ash stock vapodog #15025696 07/06/20 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta G GRF Campfire Regular GRF Campfire Regular G Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta Great job Vapodog! Thanks for taking us along on this project.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15025820 07/06/20 Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 60,663 Iowa/NW Ontario W wabigoon Campfire Kahuna wabigoon Campfire Kahuna W Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 60,663 Iowa/NW Ontario Beautiful job! This clock is black ash, not that close detail. These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"

Re: ash stock wabigoon #15029862 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by wabigoon Beautiful job! This clock is black ash, not that close detail. Beautiful.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15029866 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska It's finally done. I'll post a couple more photos in a few minutes. Last edited by vapodog; 07/07/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030034 07/07/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Looks great--and apparently shoots great! How did you feel about ability of the ash to take checkering? I ask because of checkering a wide variety of wood, including Claro walnut and Oregon maple, which were OK but not my favorite. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030076 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska last two photos

Re: ash stock Mule Deer #15030094 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by Mule Deer How did you feel about ability of the ash to take checkering? Prior to this I've checkered several types of walnut and maple. Ash (or at least this stuff) checkered nicely when I was going across the grain or even mostly across the grain. But seemed like spongy cutting with the grain as the cutter (carbide from Ullman) wanted to not bite into the wood. This forced me to increase pressure with my fingers and they get quite tired in a hurry. I have two more stocks just like this coming up and maybe by the time I'm finished with them the term "ash" will take on an entirely different meaning than it does now. Last edited by vapodog; 07/07/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030126 07/07/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Aha! That's exactly what I wanted to know.... “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030172 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Here is a piece of spalted maple that I built last year. It checkered quite nicely. [ Last edited by vapodog; 07/07/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030190 07/07/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Oh, yeah! Maple can checker very well--and also be pretty soft. Depends a lot on the kind of maple, and where it's grown--just like other woods, including walnuts. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock wabigoon #15030207 07/07/20 Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 60,663 Iowa/NW Ontario W wabigoon Campfire Kahuna wabigoon Campfire Kahuna W Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 60,663 Iowa/NW Ontario Not wanting highjack a splendid thread on ash stocks. That clock was $100Ca at a garage sale at Eagle river, Ontario last year. My lovely wife took the works to a repair man, and bought that fancy lyre, I don't want to know what that all cost! Sorry, back to the thread. These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030240 07/07/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana The first two are of a stock I did for a friend, way back when. The wood was a spectacular figured piece of Claro walnut, but checkering it was so "soggy" I settled on 18 LPI. It was still a kind of PITA. The last is a piece of New Zealand-grown European walnut, on a rifle I stocked for myself. It was hard and consistent enough to easily take finer checkering, if I recall correctly 22 LPI. (It's also the only rifle I stocked that I still have, a 6.5x55 on an FN action, with a 3-position Dave Gentry safety he installed a couple years before he passed away.) Eventually did not have enough "spare" time to do stocks, and noticed my checkering patterns on my own rifles were getting smaller and smaller, indicating a certain level of burn-out. But it was fun while it lasted! “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock wabigoon #15030259 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by wabigoon Not wanting highjack a splendid thread on ash stocks. That clock was $100Ca at a garage sale at Eagle river, Ontario last year. My lovely wife took the works to a repair man, and bought that fancy lyre, I don't want to know what that all cost! Sorry, back to the thread. Surprisingly I have a grandfather's clock exactly like that. It was built from amarican black walnut in about 1965. It quit working and was taken to a guy that repaired it.....a bit past $400 repair bill. If you bought the clock for $100 canadian, you owe the seller a big kiss!!!

Re: ash stock Mule Deer #15030269 07/07/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by Mule Deer Specctacular.....John, did you do the checkering?

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030373 07/07/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Yep, as explained in the post. (Somehow have not figured out how to post photos and words at the same time.) Haven't made a wooden stock in quite a while, much less checkered one. These days am more of a spray-can artist! “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock vapodog #15030414 07/07/20 Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,273 Ohio Armednfree Campfire Outfitter Armednfree Campfire Outfitter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,273 Ohio Originally Posted by vapodog Here is a Maple stock I built for a Howa 1500 [/QUOTE][/quote] Love that spalted maple. To get that size of a piece where the fungus formed the lines but didn't damage the wood is pretty rare. The older I become the more I am convinced that the voice of honor in a man's heart is the voice of GOD.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15077574 07/24/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska stock number two of three.....looks like a winner I'd say

Re: ash stock vapodog #15077745 07/24/20 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta G GRF Campfire Regular GRF Campfire Regular G Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta Beautiful! Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15078369 07/24/20 Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms N navlav8r Campfire Ranger navlav8r Campfire Ranger N Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms Purty. I love it. NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15078447 07/24/20 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Wow! “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock vapodog #15078857 07/24/20 Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 44,970 North East Urth Valsdad Campfire 'Bwana Valsdad Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 44,970 North East Urth Excellent vapodog. Ash is no longer just for baseball bats. Keep the pics coming. The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni) member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?

Re: ash stock vapodog #15078865 07/24/20 Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 32,130 Somewhere between lost and fou... kingston Campfire 'Bwana kingston Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 32,130 Somewhere between lost and fou... Kudos to you VapoDog! I’ve got hundreds of standing dead ash thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer. An interesting factoid is that Ash’s low tannins make it susceptible to the EAB, but is also why it’s leaves are a significant food source for tadpoles. Originally Posted by 16penny If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty

Re: ash stock vapodog #15079019 07/25/20 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 950 Southern New England B Bob_B257 Campfire Regular Bob_B257 Campfire Regular B Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 950 Southern New England Very cool to see a tree from your own history get used for a nice project. Ash is becoming a wood I look to use more as we are in the hot zone of the Emerald Ash borer. I fear it may be our next American Chestnut in our area. There is a very good stand if it in the North East and it has been a staple for projects like canoe parts and tool handles. Unfortunately it is not rot resistant and once the tree dies on the stump there is a very short window to use it before the lumber is effected. Again very nice stock work. Thank you for posting the photos. I used to only shoot shotguns and rimfires, then I made the mistake of getting a subscription to handloader.......

Re: ash stock vapodog #15082995 07/26/20 Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,703 S.E.Indiana J JimH Campfire Regular JimH Campfire Regular J Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,703 S.E.Indiana Absoutely beautiful wood and crafmanship! Having split a lot ash for the stove,one of its great qualities is that it splits easily-did you take and extra precautions against splitting-pinning the wrist.etc.?

Re: ash stock JimH #15083017 07/26/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by JimH Absoutely beautiful wood and crafmanship! Having split a lot ash for the stove,one of its great qualities is that it splits easily-did you take and extra precautions against splitting-pinning the wrist.etc.? No....but I will give it some serious thought. Thank you.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15287086 10/05/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska here is the last of the three that was cut from that tree Last edited by vapodog; 10/05/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15287137 10/05/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska The barreled actions are all 100% inletted so it's not a long shot to finishing them. Maybe by December

Re: ash stock vapodog #15287271 10/05/20 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 11,910 Plains,Texas P plainsman456 Campfire Outfitter plainsman456 Campfire Outfitter P Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 11,910 Plains,Texas They look good.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15288749 10/06/20 Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 14,210 N.E.Wisconsin H Huntz Campfire Outfitter Huntz Campfire Outfitter H Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 14,210 N.E.Wisconsin I had no idea Ash had that kind of figure.When I was making knives I used a lot of stabilized Butternut Burl and Stabilized Birch Burl.They had some knockout figure. Its all right to be white!! Stupidity left unattended will run rampant Don't argue with stupid people, They will drag you down to their level and then win by experience

Re: ash stock vapodog #15289533 10/06/20 Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms N navlav8r Campfire Ranger navlav8r Campfire Ranger N Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms If you ever get into hand to hand combat with a bear and you have to use one as a club, just be sure you’re holding the “trademark” up. 😀 Those have all turned out spectacularly. NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15289682 10/06/20 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,927 Pennsylvania P PennDog Campfire Regular PennDog Campfire Regular P Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,927 Pennsylvania Originally Posted by vapodog Originally Posted by JimH Absoutely beautiful wood and crafmanship! Having split a lot ash for the stove,one of its great qualities is that it splits easily-did you take and extra precautions against splitting-pinning the wrist.etc.? No....but I will give it some serious thought. Thank you. Beautiful work vapodog.....and beautiful wood!! I wouldn’t be too concerned about stability in those pieces. I too have split ALOT of ash and the straight grained pieces split incredibly easy - the not so straight pieces (branches, butt area, and other types of irregular natural features) do not and that’s were yours came from. I’ve had to use the 34-ton spliter on those pieces and they still do not easily split. Again great work and thanks for sharing! I’ve been working with some black cherry burl on a couple of Winchester 9422 stocks that I’ll share when/if I can ever get them finished! PennDog

Re: ash stock vapodog #15290720 10/06/20 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska This is the metalwork to run with the wood. [ Last edited by vapodog; 10/06/20.

Re: ash stock vapodog #15291668 10/07/20 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta G GRF Campfire Regular GRF Campfire Regular G Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta Wow, that looks great. Please keep the pictures and details coming. GRF

Re: ash stock vapodog #15292317 10/07/20 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 18,075 GA, USA ready_on_the_right Campfire Ranger ready_on_the_right Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 18,075 GA, USA The beauty of that wood plus the fact you know the history of the tree combine to make this even more special!! Keep the pics coming please. Mike God, Family, and Country. NRA Endowment Member

Re: ash stock vapodog #15292422 10/07/20 Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,328 Oregon L longarm Campfire Tracker longarm Campfire Tracker L Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 4,328 Oregon Impressive!

Re: ash stock longarm #15292432 10/07/20 Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,750 humboldt C Craigster Campfire Tracker Craigster Campfire Tracker C Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,750 humboldt Very, very nice. Old Corps Semper Fi Get off my lawn. FJB

Re: ash stock vapodog #15292448 10/07/20 Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,575 AZ T Talus_in_Arizona Campfire Tracker Talus_in_Arizona Campfire Tracker T Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,575 AZ It's really great that you salvaged a wonderful tree! And that stock .... wow. I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill

Re: ash stock vapodog #15292498 10/07/20 Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 8,793 TX High_Noon Campfire Outfitter High_Noon Campfire Outfitter Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 8,793 TX Vapo: Beautiful work. Has anyone used Hickory to stock a rifle? l told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. Make your life go here. Here's where the peoples is. Mother Gue, I says, the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world, and by God, I was right. - Del Gue

Re: ash stock High_Noon #15292630 10/07/20 Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,531 Central Texas Gulf Coast F Filaman Campfire Regular Filaman Campfire Regular F Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,531 Central Texas Gulf Coast Originally Posted by High_Noon Vapo: Beautiful work. Has anyone used Hickory to stock a rifle? I would think hickory would be on the heavy side, but it sure would be durable. What goes up must come down, what goes around comes around, there's no free lunch. Trump's comin' back, get over it!

Re: ash stock Filaman #16096446 05/19/21 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by Filaman Originally Posted by High_Noon Vapo: Beautiful work. Has anyone used Hickory to stock a rifle? I would think hickory would be on the heavy side, but it sure would be durable. actually ash is also on the heavy side. In this case however the wood grain trumps (did I say that?) the weight. I got some serious backlog of projects that have delayed the finishing of the rest of the ash stocks but will back on them soon. This retirement gig isn't at all bad.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16097186 05/19/21 Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 365 Idatucky eric1186 Campfire Member eric1186 Campfire Member Joined: Oct 2019 Posts: 365 Idatucky Beautiful stocks. I wish I had the skills and knowledge to do those.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16097275 05/19/21 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,137 3 300_savage Campfire Regular 300_savage Campfire Regular 3 Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,137 Never had a stock, but still have a little ash pole corral. When you build it with fresh cut poles, they're incredibly strong and have quite a bit of flex when a cow hits them. Acter they season, still strong but hard as a rock. You can saw and drill them, but an ax will just bounce. I bet a stock from well seasoned ash would be very stable. But not a lightweight. Just read back and see I posted a year ago. Oops! Last edited by 300_savage; 05/19/21.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16097471 05/19/21 Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 14,210 N.E.Wisconsin H Huntz Campfire Outfitter Huntz Campfire Outfitter H Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 14,210 N.E.Wisconsin I gotta say vapodog has a nice Ash. Its all right to be white!! Stupidity left unattended will run rampant Don't argue with stupid people, They will drag you down to their level and then win by experience

Re: ash stock vapodog #16098752 05/19/21 Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas J jwall Campfire Ranger jwall Campfire Ranger J Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 19,179 Southern Arkansas Yes sir, them’s nice. Love the color & figure. Gorgeous !! Jerry jwall- *** 3100 guy*** A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!

Re: ash stock vapodog #16182969 06/19/21 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska here they are.....all three guns from an old ash tree.....AND THEY SHOOT So what it seems is that if you find some very pretty ash and don't mind some blond gunstocks, ash can do the job nicely.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183043 06/19/21 Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,068 Annapolis, Md. G gnoahhh Campfire Ranger gnoahhh Campfire Ranger G Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,068 Annapolis, Md. Congrats, you pulled it off! Nicely done! "You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183086 06/19/21 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,560 Gallatin Co. Montana C CP Campfire Regular CP Campfire Regular C Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,560 Gallatin Co. Montana Absolutely spectacular-excellent outcome…

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183153 06/19/21 Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 10,125 Michigan TheLastLemming76 Campfire Outfitter TheLastLemming76 Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 10,125 Michigan Beautiful

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183191 06/19/21 Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,202 sw IA 222Sako Campfire Regular 222Sako Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,202 sw IA One thing for sure, you'll have a good supply of ash if you want to continue this endeavor. Beautiful work, vapodag Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 A lie doesn't become truth; wrong doesn't become right; evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by the majority...Rick Warren

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183365 06/19/21 Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 11,028 so cal pal Campfire Outfitter pal Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 11,028 so cal Really nice workmanship. "There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon "...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183478 06/19/21 Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms N navlav8r Campfire Ranger navlav8r Campfire Ranger N Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 15,611 ms Three beauties. Nice work on all three. NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183591 06/19/21 Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,319 Tropical Alaska P pabucktail Campfire Tracker pabucktail Campfire Tracker P Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,319 Tropical Alaska Outstanding work! Where did you get those swivel studs, I need to install some in a rifle I did.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16183603 06/19/21 Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 10,653 Badger State roundoak Campfire Outfitter roundoak Campfire Outfitter Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 10,653 Badger State Outstanding work, you got talent. You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime

Re: ash stock pabucktail #16184225 06/19/21 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by pabucktail Outstanding work! Where did you get those swivel studs, I need to install some in a rifle I did. I got them direct from Talley.....however Brownells might have them by now as well.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184239 06/19/21 Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 24,628 Midwest SKane Campfire Ranger SKane Campfire Ranger Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 24,628 Midwest Marvelous work, vapodog!!! WWP53D

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184257 06/19/21 Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 4,293 Bothell, Washington R Remington6MM Campfire Tracker Remington6MM Campfire Tracker R Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 4,293 Bothell, Washington Now show me again where the painted plastic stocks can compare with these examples of stunning beauty. I'd rather die in a BAD gunfight than a GOOD nursing home.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184428 06/19/21 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,927 Pennsylvania P PennDog Campfire Regular PennDog Campfire Regular P Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,927 Pennsylvania Those are really nice Vapodog - excellent work!! PennDog

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184497 06/19/21 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska I thank each and every one of you for your encouraging comments. It goes a very long ways in making me want to continue things like this.....

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184685 06/19/21 Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 10,093 Kentucky Hills R reivertom Campfire Outfitter reivertom Campfire Outfitter R Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 10,093 Kentucky Hills If you have curly Ash, it makes a checkerboard type pattern on a stock. I've seen several KY longrifles with curly ash and they had a really different look. It tends to be heavy, but on a modern rifle with a hunting taper barrel, it shouldn't be a problem.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184777 06/19/21 Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 18,075 GA, USA ready_on_the_right Campfire Ranger ready_on_the_right Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 18,075 GA, USA Outstanding!!! God, Family, and Country. NRA Endowment Member

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184858 06/19/21 Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta G GRF Campfire Regular GRF Campfire Regular G Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,624 Lethbridge Alberta Wow vapodog those are amazing. Thank you so much for your efforts in bringing us along on this project

Re: ash stock vapodog #16184932 06/19/21 Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,980 C Castle_Rock Campfire Regular Castle_Rock Campfire Regular C Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,980 Beautiful work 👍

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185017 06/19/21 Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 11,910 Plains,Texas P plainsman456 Campfire Outfitter plainsman456 Campfire Outfitter P Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 11,910 Plains,Texas Nothing wrong with those,they are good looking.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185042 06/19/21 Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,063 Missouri Ozarks H Hogeye Campfire Regular Hogeye Campfire Regular H Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,063 Missouri Ozarks My father in law did work like that. I always envied him that talent - he did better woodwork when he was 16 than I could ever do. Beautiful.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185373 06/20/21 Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12,107 O Orion2000 Campfire Outfitter Orion2000 Campfire Outfitter O Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 12,107 @OP - Beautiful rifles. Well done...

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185569 06/20/21 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Just for thits and giggles, I'll throw this in as it was done along with the ash stocks. This is black American walnut: It houses a Model 70 post 64 featherweight in .257 Roberts. Last edited by vapodog; 06/20/21.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185673 06/20/21 Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 950 Southern New England B Bob_B257 Campfire Regular Bob_B257 Campfire Regular B Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 950 Southern New England Absolutely amazing work. Ash is a favorite of mine. Copied a very large desk that was used in the shipyard in town by the paymaster. That is up in VT at my cousins and will serve their family for years. Its really unfortunate that the Emerald Ash borer is loose in the North East. Ash is dead on the stump all over New England. And due to the open pores of the wood it rots on the stump quickly. The long tradition of bats, paddles and other useful items made of Ash looks to be headed the same path as American Chestnut. Your stocks are a great tribute to a fine tree. Thanks for posting. Bob I used to only shoot shotguns and rimfires, then I made the mistake of getting a subscription to handloader.......

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185953 06/20/21 Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 11,028 so cal pal Campfire Outfitter pal Campfire Outfitter Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 11,028 so cal Nice chunka wood. "There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon "...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185986 06/20/21 Joined: May 2007 Posts: 12,110 Okanagan Falls, BC BC30cal Campfire Outfitter BC30cal Campfire Outfitter Joined: May 2007 Posts: 12,110 Okanagan Falls, BC vapodog; Good morning to you sir, Happy Father's Day if that applies. Thanks so much for sharing the photos of the stocks with us. The ash and walnut stocks have stunning figure in them! As someone whose done a wee bit of checkering in the dim past, I'll say whomever did that is very, very talented and has good eyes... well they did when they were checkering those stocks! Honestly that's the toughest part now for me. The spirit is willing, but the eyes are weak! Thanks again and all the best. Dwayne Last edited by BC30cal; 06/20/21. The most important stuff in life isn't "stuff"

Re: ash stock vapodog #16185989 06/20/21 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana That's a beautiful piece of American walnut too--and if course a great job with it! Where did you get the wood? “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock Mule Deer #16186491 06/20/21 Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska vapodog OP Campfire Tracker OP vapodog Campfire Tracker Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,639 Nebraska Originally Posted by Mule Deer That's a beautiful piece of American walnut too--and if course a great job with it! Where did you get the wood? The wood was cut by the Amish in Wisconsin. I searched for a long time to find this "chunk" of wood and it had been kiln dried. I've also found some fine boards of Maple with which I make sandwich laminates. Some spalted and some quite "curly". The walnut specimen is a gift for a friend in Wisconsin and one of the ash species will be a gift to my brother for giving me the three blanks. I have one more bolt rifle to make.....may post it later because it's quite different.

Re: ash stock vapodog #16186578 06/20/21 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,052 Banana Belt, Montana Looking forward to seeing it! “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: ash stock vapodog #16186674 06/20/21 Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,982 North Central Ohio H HunterShooter58 Campfire Regular HunterShooter58 Campfire Regular H Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,982 North Central Ohio very nice! I Learned a long time ago to Separate My Want's from My Needs! A man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do! Know Thy Self! TRUMP DID WIN!!!