Repairing ripped out chunk of wood from beech stock

[Scout21]

Hey guys, I'm finally getting around to trying to fix up my pawn shop find Springfield 840. I've had trouble thinking about how I'll go about repairing the chunk missing from around the rear sling swivel stud hole. I've considered using wood filler but am unsure of what it will look like after I refinish it. I've also thought about cutting around the hole to create a flat surface for a beech block to adhere to, then use a rasp and sandpaper to make it flush, but this seems rather daunting due to it's location. I imagine it would be much easier to do if it were the wrist of the stock that was damaged, like in this video, or the toe, like this one. Unfortunately I can't find anything showing how to repair a stock with damage that isn't on the endgrain. Any advice on how I should go about this?

 

[JJFitch]

I've repaired stocks by using a razor knife and cutting out a small piece from inside the stock. I cut the piece slightly larger than needed and clean up the damaged space and fit it following the grain pattern. Using the existing stock for a donor helps with color matching.

Smiles,

 

[EccentricInTexas]

There are plenty of videos on youtube of how to fix this. I would find a similar piece of wood cut out a piece slightly larger and flatten that area then epoxy the piece on. If you are worried about it flaking off the old timey fix was to pre drill some holes slightly smaller then a small nail then glue the hole and hammer the nail in. Sand flush. This will give extra support and is how I fix a lot of cracked stocks.

 

[wiscoaster]

There's some really great threads with step-by-step stock repair instructions in this forum. I think this is one of the better ones, with lots of pics :

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/repairing-a-cut-hand-guard.872876/#post-11596454

 

[Project355]

No old piece to fit back?

File a flat that flattens the entire area. Fit a similar piece into the flat you created. Glue with Tightbond III. Trim/shape the patch to match surrounding wood. Stain/finish as desired.

 

[Scout21]

No old piece to fit back?

File a flat that flattens the entire area. Fit a similar piece into the flat you created. Glue with Tightbond III. Trim/shape the patch to match surrounding wood. Stain/finish as desired.

No old piece, it was damaged when I acquired it.

This is what I was thinking about doing, as it seems to be the best option. Just gotta find some sacrificial beech to use.

 

[Scout21]

There's some really great threads with step-by-step stock repair instructions in this forum. I think this is one of the better ones, with lots of pics :

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/repairing-a-cut-hand-guard.872876/#post-11596454

Lotsa pics, I like it. Thanks for the link.

 

[BBBBill]

@GunnyUSMC should be along shortly to add his advice.

 

[Project355]

Lowes has small pieces of poplar....not too awfully dissimilar.

 

[herrwalther]

Wood filler will work in a pinch. You are correct in that the end grain will not match. Filler also does not take oil very well so you would have to find a stain that matches the surrounding wood.

Personally I would find a very small wood plug of similar or same wood. Match the grain direction. Make it slightly larger at the top to fill in where the hole isn't perfectly round. Sand it down and finish of your choice to match the rest.

 

[PWC]

Anyone ever use a plug cutter under the butt plate to get a source for repair?

 

[Project355]

Great idea!

 

[herrwalther]

Anyone ever use a plug cutter under the butt plate to get a source for repair?

Under the butt plate or grip cap, depending on how much wood you have to work with in either spot. Some lightweight wood stocks will have voids in the stock to cut weight like polymer ones do. I thought about getting some plug cutters at the hardware store today just in case I had to make a similar repair.

 

[Scout21]

Personally I would find a very small wood plug of similar or same wood. Match the grain direction. Make it slightly larger at the top to fill in where the hole isn't perfectly round. Sand it down and finish of your choice to match the rest.

This is probably what I'll end up doing. I've just got to find some donor wood as I don't like the idea of using some from under the buttplate. Figure I'll keep the pic of the damaged section handy and be on the lookout for some similar wood when I'm out and about