cost of carving

[JohnN]

I am building a Track of the Wolf English Fowler kit. My carving skill are like comparing stick figures to DaVinci. What would be a ball park figure on some beavertails and a simple shell design near the tang ? Also, a ball park on some simple engraving on trigger guard, butt plate, entry thimble, and side plate ? Just looking for something to dress it up a little. Thanks.

[smallpatch]

My advise would be to pick a reputable builder and talk specifics.  Otherwise, it's like asking,  "How much does a car cost".

[Bob McBride]

“Dress it up a little” is pretty labor intensive. Several hundred to do simple on a lock type intensive. $500 would probably get someone interested. That sort of thing. Put an ad in the for sale forum.

[smylee grouch]

Some makers would charge what there shop time costs are such as $50. 00 an hour for an example.

[Jerry V Lape]

My advise would be to spend it on a carving class with a good instructor and then carve your own.  That way you will be set for all future builds.  I have to follow my own advice for an engraving class yet but I had the best for carving. 

[Mike Brooks]

You will get what you pay for. Many guys may take the job, but few will give satisfactory results.

[Bob McBride]

You will get what you pay for. Many guys may take the job, but few will give satisfactory results.

Isn’t that the truth.

[JohnN]

My advise would be to spend it on a carving class with a good instructor and then carve your own.  That way you will be set for all future builds.  I have to follow my own advice for an engraving class yet but I had the best for carving.
[/quote
This sounds like a good idea. Thanks.]

[WadePatton]

If a class isn't feasible for you and you'd like to learn, I'd suggest Mike Miller's video. It made carving look attainable-more than anything else I've seen. Note I've not done any yet. 

I'd rather do a marginal job myself than to "price shop it" and be disappointed. Practice on cheap wood and keep all sharps sharp if you do. Best of luck.

[Mike Lyons]

Buy a parting tool, draw some lines and practice tapping the parting tool over the lines.  Once you get control, draw on your rifle.   If you can’t draw well,  have someone draw the the design.  Just don’t start cutting until you have the image as you want it.  If you are wanting simple designs,  you are in a perfect position to learn.  I always choose the hardest dang thing out there and get way over my head.  Just take your time.  If the beaver tails take you three weeks,  who cares.  I have a couple higher priced parting tools but this little one in the picture under $10 is nice.  It takes a while for it to arrive from Japan but it cuts well and in a lot of cases because of its small size it’s easier to control.

[rich pierce]

I’d not like to carve a gun someone else built. I’d need freedom to reshape the stock. Even then there could be issues.

[JTR]

I would think anyone willing to do the job would be able to send pictures of their work, so you could determine whether it is the quality/style/etc that you're looking for.
Learning to do it yourself is a good option, if you're going to do more than one, or a few. Otherwise why waste the time learning something you're not going to use again?
Another thing to consider are the surfaces. Whether you, or the hired help are going to prep the surfaces for the carving and engraving? Smooth surfaces for the guy to just have at would be the best bet.

Why don't you post up a few pictures of the engraving detail you'd like. Same with the tang shell. Also, the area your at. You could ship the parts to engrave easily enough, but shipping the gun for carving is another matter.

[JohnN]

Ordered the Mike Miller video. Wish me luck.

[Bob McBride]

Ordered the Mike Miller video. Wish me luck.

You’ll be glad you did. Watch Bill Raby’s videos too. Practice on scraps. You’ll be surprises how quick you’ll be pleased with your work.