Lot of projects, wish you well. Sometimes I cheat a little on blo. On stocks that don't have great figure, try linspeed from brownells. Faster finishing and easy application. Have even used truoil on a few.
Regarding refinishing, might want to check out soygel stripper. No odor, pretty non toxic, leaves the wood in better shape than other stuff. It is a gel so it sticks pretty well to curved surfaces. It is slow but I found it even worked on old arisakas which use that poisonous Japanese lacquer from sumac. It removes polyurethane also. No sanding which is something to avoid on Japanese stocks. Woodworking can be tedious so I work with soothing music in background. Like reloading, I stop when I get frustrated or bored.
I got into refurbishing milsurps by woodworking. Done stuff from rough carpentry to furniture from scratch. Say journeyman in experience. Replaced and fitted stocks to start on milsurps. On mechanics though, I am competent but it doesn't come naturally. I study whatever to fix extensively first before acting as it is not intuitive for me. Certain things would take me so much time or risk of error that I send them to professionals...engine rebuilding, lathe or milling work, welding.
Regarding refinishing, might want to check out soygel stripper. No odor, pretty non toxic, leaves the wood in better shape than other stuff. It is a gel so it sticks pretty well to curved surfaces. It is slow but I found it even worked on old arisakas which use that poisonous Japanese lacquer from sumac. It removes polyurethane also. No sanding which is something to avoid on Japanese stocks. Woodworking can be tedious so I work with soothing music in background. Like reloading, I stop when I get frustrated or bored.
I got into refurbishing milsurps by woodworking. Done stuff from rough carpentry to furniture from scratch. Say journeyman in experience. Replaced and fitted stocks to start on milsurps. On mechanics though, I am competent but it doesn't come naturally. I study whatever to fix extensively first before acting as it is not intuitive for me. Certain things would take me so much time or risk of error that I send them to professionals...engine rebuilding, lathe or milling work, welding.
