birdseye maple for stocks

[goodtime7]

I have seen pictures of some longrifles that were made out of birdseye maple.   Just bought a log that is yet to be sawed.  I am wondering if any of you have any practical experience in building a stock from this type of wood.   If there is a significant downside to doing this, I will just have it sawed 4/4, and build a tabletop, etc.   thoughts??   thanks  Bruce

[elk killer]

i have done a few from birdeye
last one was a blank from Wayne at Dunlaps
its was hard and dense, had no issues with it

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Works the same as other figured maple.  Keep chisels sharp.

[t.caster]

I built my long fowler and a Vincent half stock from it, neither needed any carving because the wood is so beautiful. But it works much like curly maple, except if you try to take too much wood off at a time the eyes can pop out. I wouldn't use a surface plane on it. Scraping is very challenging too, if not impossible!

[Acer Saccharum]

Saw it 2 1/2" thick minimum.

Rasp and scrape!

Actually, you could probably convert your plane to a scraper plane, and it would work.

Grind your leading edge to be perpendicular to the wood surface. Won't bite or tear. I promise.

[Kermit]

The eyes sure can pop out, but it's been my fault when they do. SHARP tools, scrapers, abrasives. I really like "floats" for birdseye and other gnarly figured stuff. L-N sells 'em:

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/floats/

[goodtime7]

appreciate the advice.   Just a thanks to those of you willing to share your experience with those of us that are novice builders.    This forum is an excellent resource.   

[Ken41]

I built this Jaeger in 1979. The first build was a Dixie Gun Works half stock 45 cal flint in 1965. Anyway, the birds-eye blank was given to me buy a fellow named Howard. Can't remember his last name, but a group got together at his place near Elizabeth PA. on Wednesdays. It was the second rifle that I built from a blank. The birds-eye seemed to work about the same as tiger-strip, but the eyes required a sharp chisel. I'll take a few closeup pic's in the morning and post them.





Ken
SW PA
NRA Life

[dlbarr]

That's an attractive piece of wood, Ken.

I like it - it's different than what you typically see on these guns. Very nice.

[Ken41]

Thanks Dave. Here are a few more pics, showing up the birds-eye. The eye in the bird is a birds-eye!







Ken
SW PA
NRA Life

[dlbarr]

.... The eye in the bird is a birds-eye!

Now that was very clever! Kudos to you again!!