Mini Laminate Gun Stock Blank

[hooligan169]

Greetings,

I have decided to embark on a Ruger 10/22 build. I'm starting with the stock.

I want to glue three boards together, opposing the grain, to get a depth of about 2.50 inches. The starting length will be a minimum of 32". I do not have enough clamps for these. I thought I would glue them and put heavy moving boxes over them while they dried. I know that is not the best, but is doable. I also plan on putting glue over the ends to slow drying.

I'm looking at popular as a tried out and red oak for the final. I'm planning on buying from Home Depot. I plan on the glueing, marking date, and letting them sit for two-three months plus. I want them to get set for the area humidity wise before working on them.

Am I on the right track with this mini laminate blank idea?

 

[rcmodel]

Should be doable.

If you don't want a stack of boxes setting on it so you can't watch the glue dry?
You can make some clamps out of short lengths of 2"x4" scrap and carriage bolts to sandwich it all together.

Be sure to rough up the mating surfaces for good glue adhesion.
Slow setting epoxy would be the best glue to use.

Or you could buy a Boyds laminated stock and be shooting in a couple of weeks.
http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/

rc

 

[doubleh]

I've built several stocks over the last few years by gluing up planks. I have never let them set except for finding time to work on them. Some I started work on the next day after gluing and haven't had any problems.

 

[rcmodel]

Yea, I was gonna say.

That fancy planed hardwood Home Depot sells is already kiln dried and has had plenty of time to reach ambient humidity.

If it wasn't it would have warped into a taco shell and split before it got to the store.

The only time additional drying would be necessary is if you chopped down a tree and sawed your own boards out of it.

Or bought framing lumber off a stack in the outdoor lumberyard.

rc

 

[Blue68f100]

Wood is not the same quality as it has been over the years from these places. I found some that was pretty wet last year. I found the best wood at a lumber yard for the same price. I like using my big vacuum bag clamp when it comes to getting even pressure. But a long hard surface and boards will work since you have a lot of material to remove anyway.

Have fun.....