refinish checkering

[Haycreek]

I just purchased a very good double barrel shotgun that still has good wood, but someone has refinished the stock and dulled the checkering. Has anyone ever went over the checkering the second time to sharpen the checkering? Thanks,

 

[JG727]

It can be dine, and since the (hopefully) straight lines are already there,its usually easier and faster.

Less equipment is needed, since you aren't doing the actual layout and patterning.

But keep in mind if the wood is sealed with something that "sits" on the wood, or with a protectant that only penetrates a short depth, you may have to reapply the protectant/finish to the checkering.

 

[JG727]

Also, be careful about how "sharp" you make the points.
On very fine checkering it won't matter much, but on some of the larger checkering or on guns where the checkering is where you grip tightly, a "sharp" checkering job can aggravate your hands or become uncomfortable.

 

[gunplumber]

One of the finer points to good ckering is that the points are sharp and crisp. Older guns had patterns that added a bit of decoration but no utility due to being flat topped. Anything less than 18lpi might be a bit wearing on the hand if shot a lot during a single session. Normally 20-24lpi with a diamond being 3.5-1 seems to be ideal on todays guns. Recutting a pattern is easy if you understand it's org purpose and want to retain the same. It would not be prudent to take a fine older gun with decorative patterns and cut them deep for utility. You must be sure to keep your tool neutral (at 90 degree) to the wood surface which is not hard to do with a proper ckering cradle. Without one it is easy to let your tool move slightly at an angle which makes the line crooked. Most times you need to think of "re-scratching" the lines rather than recutting. If you have to do it twice it's not as big a deal as doing it deep the first time and cutting it wrong. Good luck.

 

[Haycreek]

Thanks to all for good advice. I've done some pretty nice stock finishing before , but never any "re-tracing" original checkering. I'll take another look at the shotgun, and proceed very carefully. thanks again.