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Author Topic: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.  (Read 7500 times)

GaryJ

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Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« on: June 02, 2009, 05:23:58 AM »
I'm getting ready to start the final sanding stage of my first rifle.  I've read some previous threads and I think I understand how to get most of the rifle sanded and dewhiskered.  I've done some incised and relief carving and I was wondering what to do about dewhiskering the carved area.  Is it necessary?  I've worked pretty hard to keep the edges crisp (at least as best I can - the next one will be easier and better) and I'm wondering what will happen to the carved areas.  Also, does anyone use anything else besides water to raise the grain?  Thanks in advance for the advice.  Gary.
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Offline Stophel

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2009, 05:45:32 AM »
If you scrape the stock, rather than sand, you will go a long way towards eliminating any "whiskers".

I don't bother whiskering as a separate step.  I scrape the stock, and get it the way I want it, then slop on my Aqua Fortis.  It will raise the grain some, but not nearly as much as if I had sanded.  Let dry then heat to turn color.  Then, I will go over the stock with a glass slide (thanks Rich Pierce) very lightly, and that cuts off the whiskers.  Pretty much, that gets rid of them completely from then on.  I will stain the gun again, and not worry about whiskers anymore.

 ;)
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California Kid

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2009, 07:51:01 AM »
In the future, whisker the stock before you carve. Prepare it as if you were going to finish it. After the ground is removed and before modeling the carving whisker the ground till it doesn't raise anymore then model the carving. Stock should be ready to finish after the modeling is completed. Keep your hands clean.
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erdillonjr

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2009, 10:44:35 AM »
Gary, I use denatured alcohol . It drys quick and does a great job. Ed
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Offline Jim Filipski

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2009, 02:53:54 PM »
Quote from: erdillonjr on June 02, 2009, 10:44:35 AM
I use denatured alcohol . It drys quick and does a great job. Ed

I have tried this once or twice but right when you think your finished and the alcohol did it's job put some water on the stock...whiskers return to high heaven. If you plan on wiskering the wood in this manner ( via the grain raising method) don't try to do it quickly and use water
IMHO ;)
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Offline Dan Herda

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2009, 08:10:57 PM »
Stophel,Could you please explain the glass slide a little more?I am about to finish preppin a curly 1/2 stock and have ordered acqua fortis,so I would rather scrape that sand if eliminates wiskers.By glass slide do you mean boning?Thank you in advance, ridjrunr
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Offline Stophel

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2009, 09:25:07 PM »
Glass microscope slide.  The greatest thing ever.  Each one has 8 clean, sharp, square edges you can use.  They are great for light finish scraping, not heavy scraping (they will break).  Use a steel scraper for heavier scraping.

Cutting wood off clean with scrapers, chisels, and planes, will almost eliminate any whiskers before you even start.  Sanding mashes down the ends of the grain, which get raised back up when you wet the wood.

It's best to "bone" (burnish, with a piece of antler, smooth steel, whatever.  I use a smooth polished antler tip) after the grain is filled with the finish of your choice, but before applying any top coat of varnish.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2009, 09:35:09 PM by Stophel »
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Offline t.caster

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2009, 11:22:57 PM »
Yes those glass slides are the cat's meow! (thanks Rich) and if and when you break one in two, you may end up with some gentle curved  pieces that come in handy too! Protect your fingers from cuts...tape the edges!
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Offline Dan Herda

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2009, 09:37:44 AM »
OK,thank you,thats pretty clear.Where might one get some slides?
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Offline Stophel

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #9 on: June 04, 2009, 06:39:23 PM »
Look up scientific supply houses.  I don't have a source ready at hand...
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Offline Roger Fisher

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2009, 08:58:13 PM »
Might be a seperate tread needed; but I'll ask it here...

I haven't seen the wood type mentioned but assume it would be maple!

Now then how is the best way to 'handle' walnut burled or straight?  How about the occasional ash?   Cherry???  Others??   Raise the grain and sand then scrape, burnish??  Fill the walnut pores with finish Yes of course!

Nosey minds need to know!! ;D   I don't recall any seminars recently at Chuck's on these questions.  (could be I was just studying the female scenery then! ::) ;D
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Offline Stophel

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2009, 09:04:34 PM »
Black walnut grain never stops raising.

Only thing I can figure to do is "freeze" the grain with finish, scraping lightly between applications of finish as necessary.

I've only worked with ash just a little.  It doesn't seem to have whiskering problems at all.  Cherry doesn't whisker too badly either.
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ironwolf

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2009, 11:13:53 PM »
  The biggest mistake most new stockers make is scraping/sanding too hard.  This only exposes more grain ends.  That's why walnut and alcohol seem to never stop whiskering in my experience.

  Kev
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Offline Habu

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2009, 12:46:00 AM »
Quote from: ridjrunr on June 04, 2009, 09:37:44 AM
OK,thank you,thats pretty clear.Where might one get some slides?

I've used the economy slides from Pella: http://www.tedpella.com/histo_html/slides.htm

And of course, there's always Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Glass-Slides-per-box/dp/B000DZRTRY
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Offline Dan Herda

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Re: Dewhiskering in preparation of staining.
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2009, 03:53:44 AM »
I've got some located,thanx again.
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