Auto 5 checkering

I might refinish a stock and when I am done I’d like to recut the checkering. Anybody know what degree tool I’ll need. Looks like a 60 degree but I’d like to know before I order the tool. Thanks in advance

I have a Dem-Bart kit, 20 lines per inche 90 degree angle. I find the 90 degrees is to obtuse. 60 degrees seems more appropriate to me. I don’t like the Dem-Bart because they get plug very rapidly. If you find something, please inform us, I would like to find a better kit. I believe that Midway sells à checkering kit?? It is always difficult to order firearms related articles from USA to Canada.

Likewise, thank you

Thanks for the info Biz. Maybe a 75 degree would be a good compromise? I was looking at trying tools from this place:

https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/GUN-CHECKERING_CARVING/products/21/

My father in law carves duck decoys and swears by their products.

I don’t see they angle mentioned?

I have read that it is best to use a single cutter on a refinish. So I was going to order just the 60 degree single cutter and handle

Have you had luck with multiple line cutters? I believe theirs are 90 degree

More or less. I lot of practice is needed in order to do a good job. As I mentioned I find the Dem-Bart not to good. I will wait for your trial evaluation of the one your father in law swears buy. The time being, I am practicing engraving.

I just had a second look at the website and saw that the single cutter has the angle indicated. May be it’s time I go to bed.

Interested in the engraving. Are you recutting engraving or are practicing on scrap?

I am working on two types of engraving.

First, I am practicing hand engraving with a graver on metal plate. The objective being to eventually recut some worn out engraving on my Browning and others. I made my own graver from drill rod that I tempered. At the moment, the difficult part into my learning curve is the sharpening.

Second, redoing the marking assisted by computer. This is a technique I have been researching for a few years. A few months ago a member of Canadian Gunnutz show a couple pics that was laser engraved. The result is astonishing. Someone can argue that it is so good that it is a problem. The procedure to achieve this nice rendering is pretty simple. You take a picture of the marking you want to reproduce, with the help of photoshop or Gimp you remove the background to finish with only the letters. Then using,for example Aspire or others programs, you vectorize the letters. After that you need someone with a CNC laser machine to do your engraving. Here is the result.

That is very interesting. I think I might be able to do the computer part of that. I just happen to know a guy with an engraver. Maybe he could recut my Grade II 16 gauge. Thanks for the great information Biz

If I may express my opinion, the only part I would do by CNC is the marking as this was already done by a machine. One important detail I haven’t mentioned is that you have to remove the old marking before you do the new one. The hand engraved part can be recut following the original pattern with a hand engraver or a pneumatic engraver. And remember that you can see the difference between a pattern done with a graver with a chasing hammer and an air power graver.

I just bought a couple beaters that I might have to try recutting

Wish this one wasn’t so expensive. They buffed the hell out of it. Looks like a 1904 to me.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/845985160

Indeed 1904, the buttplate seems original (which is extremely rare), the forearm has been change and the interesting part, the front sight is not mounted on a ramp. Unfortunately the restoration is a total failure. The address is "polished out" and the blue is to bright for the period. This is a good example where I will use the laser engraving method to redo the address.

I can’t find time to do my own project. May be in a few years when I am retired.