I have extra, unopened envelopes of Lee Valley Wood dye, which I have no further use for (one of each). One is "red cherry", and the other is "brown walnut". If you want them (free), send me a PM.Wow, I didn't know it was going to be so complicated just to get a little red into this piece of wood. How would birch look with a lighter color or maybe just tru oil alone?
Thanks, beag_nut. I think I'm going to wait till I get the stock stripped down to see what I got. I may take you up on that after. Thanks again for your offer.I have extra, unopened envelopes of Lee Valley Wood dye, which I have no further use for (one of each). One is "red cherry", and the other is "brown walnut". If you want them (free), send me a PM.
These have a couple coats of polyurethane View attachment 896411
I really like the rifle on the bottom. What did you use to darken the inletting? I just finished stripping my stock and was thinking it would look good if done like yours. Darken the carving on the grip, black butt plate and clear poly the wood. Don't think I'd be able to get to look any better than that.These have a couple coats of polyurethane View attachment 896411
I've worked with some outstanding maple stocks with flame shell, fiddleback and birds-eye figure involved. Tiny pores, tight grain and harder than a witches heart. Had to increase the angle on my chisels used with that hard maple, but man, did it ever checker nicely. Stockmaker named Hal Hartley used to work a lot with maple stocks and he would "singe" the stocks with a torch to bring out the grain pattern. The birds-eye maple will give a stockmaker fits with all those little round 'eyes', especially when they pop out of place.
I used Rustoleum camo paint earth brown and forest green on the checkering. The brown clogged is the reason for the 2 colors, the other side is green only. Wasn't sure how the strip the old finish from the checkering so I masked and painted them. I think I sprayed satin poly over the paint but not positive. Old age is setting in I guess. Good luck with yours.I really like the rifle on the bottom. What did you use to darken the inletting? I just finished stripping my stock and was thinking it would look good if done like yours. Darken the carving on the grip, black butt plate and clear poly the wood. Don't think I'd be able to get to look any better than that.
My son refinished a stock similar in pattern. He used a torch to enhance the feathering of the grain, stained and linseed oil. It came out with a tiger-striped pattern.I really like the rifle on the bottom. What did you use to darken the inletting? I just finished stripping my stock and was thinking it would look good if done like yours. Darken the carving on the grip, black butt plate and clear poly the wood. Don't think I'd be able to get to look any better than that.