Ash stock

[Uncle Alvah]

I am considering the idea of an ash stock on my first build.
I would be interested in any thoughts you might have on that notion in general its just something I'm mulling around.
Cherry is a contender also. 

Also, I found a source for white Ash stock blanks, but have been unable, so far. to find any pre-carved ones. Any suggestions on where to check?
Thanks!

[smylee grouch]

Check with Dave Keck to see if he has one or send him the blank and he will machine it to your specs. I think it's Knob Mountain, you can google it.

[T*O*F]

Neither is a good choice for a first build with minimal tools.  Walnut is probably your best choice or a piece of plain maple.

[Uncle Alvah]

I'm doing that right now, thank you.

[oldtravler61]

First scratch build was a cherry stock. Inlet the barrel an everything else. With no power tools just gouges an rasps an a hand saw. Second was an ash stock an maple from there. Take your time an be patient you don't need a ton of tools for a basic long rifle.Though they have to be razor sharp!  But once you get into it. Tools are like potatoes chips.......! IMHO.....Mike

[David Rase]

You will only build one longrifle out of ash.   I recommend finding a nice dense piece of plain maple for your first scratch build.
David

[Mike Brooks]

You will only build one longrifle out of ash.   I recommend finding a nice dense piece of plain maple for your first scratch build.
David

What he said....

[Ted Martens]

I'm curious why cherry would be discouraged for noobs - hardness-wise, it's softer than walnut (Janka 950 vs. 1010 for walnut)?
   
Cherry is one of my favorites for cabinetry & furniture, and have always liked the way it responded to hand tools.  It's a bit cranky with machines, as it tends to "burn" if you don't keep it moving across the blades. 

I am (or maybe was?) contemplating a cherry stock for the .40 half-stock I want to build this winter, so would appreciate any/all comments!

[oldtravler61]

Just as an update the ash stock was all I had. I didn't know anything about how to work with the grain an such. Just flat used it. The cherry stock also. Now I just use premium maple. Just wanted to let the opportunity KNOW it will work. Some of us just have to make do with what's on hand.   Mike

[FALout]

Everyone has to learn one way or another, some just have to learn the harder way.

[davebozell]

My experience with cherry is that it is prone to "tear-out" and can chip easily. I would agree that a slab of nice hard, straight maple would be my choice for a first rifle.  I'm currently working on a slab of "stump" walnut that in many places is more like granite than walnut.

[PPatch]

With ash the seasonal growth rings run alternately, and noticeably, harder and softer, the spring growth being softer than the dense summer growth. In other words the softer part is rather punky while the hard stuff is like iron. This can be a problem when working it with hand tools. For instance when hand chiseling off some aspect of the build you will naturally be applying force to cut the dense part and when the chisel gets through that you'll find that it wants to suddenly zip through the soft section and on into something you didn't intend to cut. With ash chisel cuts are more difficult to control than with hard maple or even cherry.

I have stocked a gun in ash, I would do it again. Ash makes a beautiful longrifle stock. Knowing what I do about ash would I recommend it for a first build - no. For a first build I would recommend hard sugar maple - no question about that, you would be better off learning on a nice even grained hard maple stock.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

I'm curious why cherry would be discouraged for noobs - hardness-wise, it's softer than walnut (Janka 950 vs. 1010 for walnut)?
   
Cherry is one of my favorites for cabinetry & furniture, and have always liked the way it responded to hand tools.  It's a bit cranky with machines, as it tends to "burn" if you don't keep it moving across the blades. 

I am (or maybe was?) contemplating a cherry stock for the .40 half-stock I want to build this winter, so would appreciate any/all comments!

Never had a problem with cherry. Some stocks are harder than others but that's true with all wood.

[Dennis Glazener]

I have built 4 or 5 rifles with cherry stocks and always loved the end result. I had problems with chip outs. I remember on a little Dreppard while I was inletting the patchbox twice when I did a straight down cut with the chisel, when I pulled out the chisel out comes a fair sized chip of wood! Thankfully it was a clean chip and I was able to glue both back with little obvious damage.

The wood finishes up nicely with a little lye water as a stain, then Chambers oil stain.
Dennis