Tool Order

[DB]

In what order do you use your tools to shape the buttstock?

[Mike Gahagan]

I use a band saw to take off as much bulk as possible.Then I use a draw knife before using a combination of the rounded Stanley "sureforms" with #49 -#50 pattern making rasps and files.I will then scrap for a final finish.I know that it is PC to use planes now,but I have never been able to use them to any advantage.

[snowdragon]

Once side profile is "close", I measure length of pull and cast-off, then install buttplate while buttstock is still square (and true). I use a coping saw, flat and round rasps for buttplate.  After buttplate, I hog off wood using the rough side of a horseshoe file. After that, it's finer rasps, flat and round, and then sanding block, then finally hand-held sandpaper.  Constantly  checking with a straightedge or some other kind of measurement.
Of course, each step is done while entire gun is in the same stage of finish. Bill

[rich pierce]

I use a rip or frame saw if the buttstock needs to be narrowed to install the buttplate.  This includes a rip cut behind the cheekpiece and a cross cut to pop that chip off.  Then after the buttplate is installed I will plane the comb down and toe line down if needed and re-draw the comb line and toe line on the stock.  Then I start to establish the patchbox side using a spokeshave for the most part.  I will make some saw cuts angled from the comb down toward the toe line to make it safe to really hog wood off the cheekpiece without risking a long split out.  After the saw cuts are made a very broad gouge will pop those chunks off nicely.  Once gone the cheekpiece and comb and wrist see more of the spokeshave.  The bottom of the cheekpiece is sawn off with a backed saw (thanks Acer for that tip!) then I have a wooden plane that takes off the bulk of the wood below the cheekpiece.  The cheekpiece transitions fore and rear are done with gouges and the field behind the cheekpiece flattned with chisels before the rasping and scraping begin.

[heinz]

Rich has a very good explanation of the order of things.  I would only add that you always always always have to be aware of the direction and the behavior of the grain and make your cuts in the direction where the blade does not dive in.
Unless you really have planned to do that and thought it out.

[Jim Kibler]

I'll second the comment on grain direction.  There is basically a default that many stock fall into as to grain direction in different areas, but some pieces of wood will be different.  It's important to look at the wood to get a feel and then build a mental image of grain direction as work on the stock progresses.  This will be important throughout the entire build process.  From barrel inletting to final scraping.  It' a hard thing for beginners to wrap their head around sometimes, but one analogy I've heard is of petting a cat with the fur or against it.  You don't want your tool to dive in.  You won't have control.  

[Kermit]

As the Official Olde Phart in a furniture shop where some guys will go to great lengths to set up some machine, I sometimes get asked for pointers on using a handplane. ALWAYS find the iron is not SHARP. Then it's that the cut is WAY too coarse. If the throat is adjustable (they usually are) it's WAY too wide open. Once sharp and tuned, a plane is a joy. Many folks are convinced they should always plane with the iron perfectly crossways to the grain. That's for the final smoothing.  Also try angling the tool 30 to 45 degrees to the direction you are going so you get a skewing cut, especially with figured wood. Thus ends lesson one in hand planing.

[LynnC]

"In what order do you use your tools to shape the buttstock?"

Pencil.....Draw profile
Band saw profile.
Inlet butt plate
Pencil in guide lines
Rough off the excess material with draw knife
Smooth up and get closer to guide lines with plane
More guide lines
Saw out cheek piece then...
More guide lines
Gouge and chisel especialy in the wrist/butt stock transition and hollow cheek piece an underside
rasps
files
scrapers
Sand Paper if that what you like to do ( I've been known to use it too  )

What am I forgetting ?