Fitting a gunstock with a dremel?

[Norrick]

I've seen videos of people using hand chisels and files and sand paper, and I know its not at all a process that should be rushed, but I was wondering if anyone has heard of or has any experience in using a rotary tool to fit an unfinished gunstock to a rifle?

Ive got a Boyd's laminate thumbhole stock for a Ruger 77/22, I think it was advertised as 98%

It basically drops right in, but it doesn't sit completely flush and some material would need to be removed to make that happen.

Then of course theres the sanding and painting/sealing the outer surface of the stock.

Anyway, I've got a really nice rotary tool by Proxxon, I'm thinking about getting one of those extension cables to make the tool more hand held to get into small spaces. People use these tools for wood carvings. So for stock work? Good or bad idea?

 

[rcmodel]

I have used a Foredom flex-shaft 1/4" grinder for about 40 years for roughing out excess wood.

However, the final inletting & bedding is still done very carefully with Prussian blue, chisels, and gouges, by hand.

I'd say sure.
But slow down and use the old methods for the final bedding fit.
Unless you are going to glass bed it anyway.

Then the more hogging out wood indiscriminately with a rotary cutter, the better!
It gives more glass a place to cling too!

rc

 

[Jim K]

"People WITH A LOT OF PRACTICE AND A LOT OF SKILL use these tools for wood carvings."

Note the added words and consider them.

Jim

 

[Chawbaccer]

I once used a Dremal with sanding drum to finish out a ram rod channel in a muzzleloader I built. Then I very carefully set up and used a router to remove said channel with a router and glued in a matching piece of walnut and recut the channel. It shows and still hurts.

 

[Jim K]

Addendum to my previous post. I just watched a TV show in which an artist carved figures out of logs with a chain saw. He did a marvelous job, but I don't think I am going to use a chain saw to inlet a rifle stock.

Jim

 

[Skyshot]

I use the rotary tool a lot on stocks. I would tell you to mask off any parts you don't want to get damaged and watch your speed on the tool as they can get away from you before you know it. I use them to take out mass material but the final stages must be done by hand. If you rush yourself you'll probably not get the results you like.