Patching in New Wood on Old Stock

[flinter49]

I am restoring a old percussion half stock. A lot of the original wood was missing. I have about all the patch pieces made that is needed to complete this time consuming job. Things so for have went pretty good. But now the hard part. How is the best way to blend the new wood in with the old original wood for the best looking job. Meaning what kind of adhesive? Do I need to take all the old stain off the old wood. Need some expert advise and direction.

I hope this is in the right section if not please move it. These topic has probably been discussed before but I couldn't find it.

[rich pierce]

I’m entry level at this but there is consensus that the cut-away original wood and the patch need to be pre-stained where they join up before gluing things up. Some use 2-part epoxies, some use Acra-glas, some use TiteBond II, and some use hide glue. Some probably use superglue.

Once the patch is in place the trick is to blend it down without disturbing original finish the match and blend the staining. Most use pigments and dyes for this.

[Lucky R A]

    I stain my glue before applying it, darker stain is better than too light.  Get your new wood glued into place then sanded to match the contours etc.  Try to only remove a minimum of original finish at the repair area.  Stain the new wood to the lightest color of the original stock.  Apply two thin coats of finish to (I use a semi gloss spar varnish) this is to fix the first coat of stain.  I then use trans-tint dyes to blend and color the repair area.  I usually start with a dark mission brown, and feather and blend this using golden maple.  Where a more reddish color is needed use Reddish brown dye.  These three colors will do most jobs.  Use small pieces of fine steel wool to do the feathering and blending.  Just keep applying and rubbing until you get the colors that match the original leaving it quite dark in the non wear areas and almost rubbed down to the base color in the high wear areas.  Once you are satisfied with the job leave it to dry overnight.  You can then apply finish and rub back where needed with a fine Scotch Brite pad.   When you are done give it a good coat of dark brown Bri wax and you should be good to go....Not the only way, but this has worked for me for many restorations.   It is as much art as science...

Ron

[eggwelder]

i patch a lot of military rifle stocks, i try to match up but sometimes i don't even know what species of wood was used originally. i copy the old arsenal repairs that the old commonwealth armourers did as best i can, nice tight fitting patches with no gaps, blended in as best i can but not worrying too much about it. it is, after all, part of the history and character of the piece. if done well it adds good character, if sloppy, then not so much.
many old arsenal repairs will have patches dovetailed in as well.
i used titebond III, it is waterproof and seems to stay slightly flexible

[flinter49]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer my questions. Will let you know how it turns out.