Laminate thumb hole stock questions.

[bernie]

I have a project rifle that I am working on that has a laminate thumb hole stock. Let me begin with, I am not a stock man. I have never really worked on one but am not afraid to take my time and try to learn on this one. I have watched some YouTube videos, and I think I can do it, but I have one issue. The thumbhole is tiny! Like I can barely get my thumb through it, and I do not have big meaty hands. What is the best method to open that hole up? Sandpaper and lots of time?

Also, the laminate is a tannish brown, is there a way to change it to a darker color like a dark grey?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blue68f100]

You can use most anything to open the hole up, file, dremel, sanding. Just remember you will have to work back down in grits to get a smooth finish. Just be aware where there might be a void for hardware (screws).

As for darkening I have no clue on what would work. Some die

 

[Kp321]

Leather dye works great to darken most any wood. All of the finish must be removed first.

 

[conan32120]

Pictures please

 

[Varminterror]

the laminate is a tannish brown, is there a way to change it to a darker color like a dark grey?

Changing color on a laminate stock to an even finish will be a bear. The glue between the layers will always persist, even if you remove the surface finish, so you’ll forever have stripes of impregnable glue-permeated wood which resists the dye. If the appearance is critically important for you, to the point of being willing to strip and re-color the stock, I’d bet against the result being satisfactory for your desire in the end.

Really, the options in my mind would be paint it, swap it for a different stock of desired color, or deal with it.

 

[bernie]

I want the stripes from the laminate, just curious if I could alter it from a tan to something else such as a dark grey.

 

[Varminterror]

I want the stripes from the laminate, just curious if I could alter it from a tan to something else such as a dark grey.

Using a black/grey finish, you can stain the wood, but the glue impregnated surface seams between the layers just won’t take up the color, so you’ll likely be left with the lighter tan/brown stripes among darkened grey.

The laminate layers are dyed before lay up, so you can’t really sand away or strip the color like you can strip or sand a surface finish from solid wood. You can ADD color to the “meat” of the layers, and hope it permeates well into the glued surface seams, and from any moderate distance, it likely will look just fine.

If it is a “nutmeg” laminate, you might be in luck. Yours will have to come out much darker, but the nutmeg is the same color of layers but only partially penetrated at the surfaces with a stain, which is the same way the “pepper” laminate is made. The layers are stained through with one dominating color then surface left coated thickly to make the dark grain stripes. The stripes may remain a bit more brown than black, and you’ll have to dye darker and the brown will always persist a little, but it would be very difficult to tell.

Comparing these, you will be able to stain the light tan parts, but the dark brown stripes will resist - but they are already nearly black. If you stain the light brown to a dark grey here, it will have dark brown, nearly black-brown stripes within the dark grey.

Nutmeg


Pepper

 

[doubleh]

Anything from a coarse cut round file to a die grinder with a rasp type bit will open the hole. The file is a lot of work while the die grinder requires some skill, strength, and steady hands. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have experience with one even if it is the quickest method to open it. One slip and you have a ruined stock. Finish work is easily done with the right sized dowel rod and sandpaper.

No clue to changing tan to gray as it's something I have never attempted.

 

[deadeye dick]

They are both beautiful.