Fore-stock incised grooving tool?

[Domtomac]

I've noticed several pictures where the fore-stock had incised grooves carved down either side of the ram-rod groove.  The only mention of cutting such a groove is a quick video shot on the Williamsburg gunbuilding DVD but the tool is being used so it's moving and mostly hidden by the Gunsmiths hand.  I've found nothing on it in the 3 longrifle building books I have.
Does anyone have pictures/descriptions on what tool and technique is used to keep the grooves straight & parallel with the ramrod groove?
How deep? 1/32?  1/16? 
Thanks,

[Curtis]

It sounds like you may be reffering to a "scratchstock"

You can find some info here: http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=16714.0

http://www.hocktools.com/products/sc075.html

Curtis

[Mike Brooks]

I use a "V" shaped parting tool or a real long checkering tool.

[Clark Badgett]

It's covered in "Recreating the American Longrifle by Buchele, Shumway & Alexander.
Here are some threads. Should get you started.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=15792.0
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=18006.0
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=26920.0
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=4014.0

[flehto]

I copied this tool from a drawing in Buchele's  "Recreating the American Longrifle". The adjustable set screw/nut is the cutting tool and the arrangement  is reversible to get a complete cut on both sides of the forestock. I use it to outline the relief moldings on  both sides of the RR groove....1/32" deep. The 3/8 dia pin rides in the RR groove. ....Fred

 

[Jerry V Lape]

This is sort of a whatever works for you question.  First one I did by incising a line with a pocket knife then rounding in the upper side of the cut with a small flat diagonal face carving chisel and a small scraper.  Next one I cut with a long checkering tool and a riffler file.  One I am doing now with a checkering tool again but with twin cutters as this original maker had twin lines on his. 

[Ky-Flinter]

Hi Domtomac,

Welcome to ALR.  I use a scratch-stock.....  http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=17867.0

-Ron

[Mark Elliott]

These are the tools I use to cut mouldings.



The item at the top is a scratchstock for complex mouidlings and may be what you saw in your video.    I made that scratchstock to produce the complex and unique forearm moulding found on some Rockbridge Country Virginia rifles.    One side of the scratchstock blade is for the upper forearm and the other side is for the buttstock toe.

[Acer Saccharum]

You'll find a great variety of opinion on the ALR. just pick a method you think you can work with.

Since I use 'swamped barrels', nothing is parallel. i draw a line in pencil, cut it with a V tool:



Then, I straighten the line out with a file.


Then the background is cut away above the line.

[EC121]

I just did a straight groove on a straight barrel with a pointed scrimshaw tool and a metal yardstick.  Clamped the stick to the stock parallel to the ramrod groove and scratched the line with the tool.  Then deepened it a little at a time.  Sort of burnished it in.  Couldn't use a scratchstock because the ramrod groove wasn't straight.  The old "whatever works" method.  BTW Woodcraft and others are advertising a scratchstock.  $31.  They have blank cutter blades to make your own cutter.

[Dave B]

This first one is From Chris Laubock, the dark wood rides in the ramrod channel. These others are mine and use a section of a Hyde Knife blade that has be cut with the profile for making the bead molding. Putting the molding on first before inletting the ramrod pipes allows use of the nice flat ramrod channel for the guide to run allong.







IMG code added by moderator so the pictures appear here.

[Domtomac]

Thanks for all the great advice.  Of the 3 books I have, Recreating the American LR isn't one of them.  Maybe I should get that too, but with all the great advice available here....
Thanks again, especially to all who posted pictures and links to other treads with pictures - a BIG help

[lost arrow 801]

Dixie  gun works has this   
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_96_220_221&products_id=14087

[Clark Badgett]

Dixie  gun works has this   
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_96_220_221&products_id=14087

Ouch. $95 for a tool that can be made in a matter of minutes?

[gumboman]

There is this tool from Lee Valley. I ordered one to try.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/Page.aspx?p=73766&cat=1,230,41182

[Boompa]

All kinds of ways to skin a cat.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I love carving wood.  So I do all my molding lines like Mike and Tom...by hand.  That way, I can watch the flow of the grain and avoid chattering.  Regarding chattering;  I've never used a scratcher, so I'm just assuming this problem.

[Kermit]

Lots of info on this Google-web thing about scratchstocks. I have 5, all shop-made. I like the idea of the one that rides the RR grouve. must try that.