Drat, darn, dang it, etc.

[Mauser lover]

I enjoy making things, and I enjoy doing my best when I do so, so I feel your pain. You have a couple of options, as I see it.

1. Get over it (hence the responses about it adding character, you being able to hunt with it now, etc.)
2. Be upset about it (be reminded every time you use the rifle that you are a clumsy oaf, and perhaps turn to drink)

But I think that there is a third option. If you made it, you can make it again, right? Isn't that part of what makes "making stuff" such a great hobby? I can do far better than the factory can by giving attention to that which I care about (and if I mess it up, I can do it over, usually).

If it were me... I'd probably just use it. But I do know how you feel.

 

[doubleh]

I enjoy making things, and I enjoy doing my best when I do so, so I feel your pain. You have a couple of options, as I see it.

1. Get over it (hence the responses about it adding character, you being able to hunt with it now, etc.)
2. Be upset about it (be reminded every time you use the rifle that you are a clumsy oaf, and perhaps turn to drink)

But I think that there is a third option. If you made it, you can make it again, right? Isn't that part of what makes "making stuff" such a great hobby? I can do far better than the factory can by giving attention to that which I care about (and if I mess it up, I can do it over, usually).

If it were me... I'd probably just use it. But I do know how you feel.

Oh, I am going to use it. I don't go for it adding "character". It was a mistake on my part and I own it. I fixed it to where it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb and I will always know it is there but am enough of an adult to move on. I vented and am over my frustration of doing something dumb. Yes, I am certainly capable of making another and it isn't a very difficult task but this one has very pretty wood IMO. I'm on to load development for it now---if the scope rings I ordered ever manage to show up. This rifle has been a long time coming, something that is entirely my fault also, but now that it is almost complete I am getting antsy to try it out.

 

[bullseye308]

Nobody is harder on you than you. It’s just the way it is once you have some skill and know you can do better. You will see every flaw, blemish, mismatch, everything and it eats away a little here and there and it can make you a better craftsman it you let it. Crap happens, but never with cheap materials. Get a nice burl or some exotic wood and it is prone to sudden flare-ups of gravity. I have at times put 3 layers of bubble wrap on the floor surrounding my workbench when working with some rare or expensive woods just to keep the effects of gravity at bay when the inevitable happens.

 

[JohnKSa]

Some ideas. Obviously I can't see the damage so some of them (or maybe all of them) could be nonsense.

Change the profile of those ears so that they both match and the damaged portion is removed.

Remove the damaged section and the same part of the other ear and replace them both with a contrasting wood so that there's a two-tone effect that appears to be intentional and decorative. Sort of like an ebony end-cap on a fore-end.

Put some kind of a decorative inlay or overlay in that area on both sides of the stock so that it covers the damaged area and is symmetric.

 

[rust collector]

It is the paradox of the finely figured stock. The more beautiful the grain, the weaker it is when that figure extends into the wrist. I owned an SKB centennial trap once in which the wood in the cheek area next to the action was so thin it flexed easily. I remember seeing other specimens with patches applied, and knew it was only a matter of time with my clumsiness. I sold the gun before that could happen, noting that fragile aspect for the new owner.

Boyd's will sell you an XX grade walnut forend for $115, so if the rifle shoots and you want a showpiece, you have that option. Basic walnut will run you $48. It is a fragile design element but it comes with the territory. If you build a new one, I suspect you may be inclined to reinforce as is done with some thin autoloader forends. Or you may opt for laminate fore and aft, which will be sturdier. Welcome to the butterfinger club.

 

[kidneyboy]

I was finishing up the fore end I built for my new to me Encore. I was at the third coat of finish and had just blown it off with high pressure air when I managed to drop it on the concrete floor. It hit on the left ear that covers the frame and snapped it off. Due to the figuered wood I lost a very small chip of wood. I managed to epoxy it back together but due to the shape I couldn't clamp it tight enough to completely erase the glue line. The final coat of finish is dry and I am ready to assemble the rifle. The break is not that noticeable to anyone that isn't aware of it but it sticks out like a sore thumb to me and always will. Every time I look at the gun I am going to see that repair.

Retired stonecarver here. I feel your pain.

 

[doubleh]

Change the profile of those ears so that they both match and the damaged portion is removed.

That would be easy. I could just break the other ear off flush with the stock like the first and be done with it.