Author Topic: Scraping a Stock and Curl Resistance (Read 1758 times)

Ats5331 · « **on:** August 31, 2023, 07:23:00 PM »

Good afternoon gentlemen,

This is the first time I am scraping a stock rather than using sandpaper and I am running into a conundrum that probably has an easy fix.

When scraping the comb, the curl is causing resistance and the softer wood is being scraped away. It’s creating a washboard effect. Is this a time to use sandpaper?

Any tips on how to remedy this? I tried scraping different directions, but it seems to still have the same effect. Very hard stock with extreme curl!

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2023, 07:34:49 PM »

Tip the scraper on an angle to the direction of the stroke, so that the scraper is not 90 degrees to the direction. That will sheer off the wood and remove the washboard. Be sure your scraper is very sharp with a good hook.

T*O*F · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2023, 07:36:35 PM »

Hold your scraper at a 45 degree angle to the curl. That way it is always being supported by the hard wood.

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2023, 11:14:38 PM »

It's not softer wood that's being cut more, it's the same wood, but with different grain orientation. Washboard can can look amazing if your into that sort of thing.

Jim

J. Talbert · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2023, 01:37:54 AM »

Quote from: Jim Kibler on August 31, 2023, 11:14:38 PM

Washboard can can look amazing if your into that sort of thing.

Jim

I’ve seen one or two aged contemporary guns with a really cool washboard effect.
Could be something you may want to consider. 😀

Jeff

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2023, 01:55:55 AM »

I love washboard! But if you don;t the advice re: angling the blade is 100% dead on. Angle it for a shearing cut rather than square to the curl figure.

Ats5331 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2023, 04:42:37 AM »

Thanks for all the tips. Out of curiosity, what does washboard look like finished?

blienemann · « **Reply #7 on:** September 01, 2023, 05:25:09 AM »

I don't try for washboard, but I sure enjoy it when it happens. Hope you can see it in the wrist of this rifle, where the grain of this hard and crunchy maple created nice waves. I have seen this on a few old rifles - some with scrape marks, and others where the wood has shrunk over time. Hope you can see this, Bob

mgbruch · « **Reply #8 on:** September 02, 2023, 12:35:59 AM »

I also like a little washboard. It helps give the gun the feel f an original. When scraping at an angle, I use both hands and a light touch. Too much can cause the edge of the scraper to grab, and cut a nice little groove.

Ats5331 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2023, 01:33:22 PM »

Quote from: blienemann on September 01, 2023, 05:25:09 AM

I don't try for washboard, but I sure enjoy it when it happens. Hope you can see it in the wrist of this rifle, where the grain of this hard and crunchy maple created nice waves. I have seen this on a few old rifles - some with scrape marks, and others where the wood has shrunk over time. Hope you can see this, Bob

Thanks Bob. It is pretty neat looking! Helps to give the gun an aged look.

dadybear1 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 02, 2023, 03:29:02 PM »

HARD TO IMAGINE THE EARLY CRAFTSMEN CREATING MASTERFIECES WITH OUT SANDPAPER!!!!!!! FILES AND SCRAPERS AND TIME!!!!!

G_T · « **Reply #11 on:** September 02, 2023, 11:24:50 PM »

Sandpaper is a consumable. A scraper is not, and can be made out of scrap material. Scrapers can work pretty fast too (based more on making bows than making rifles).

c deperro · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2023, 01:14:00 AM »

I saw an older Frank House rifle that had a lot of wash board in the stock. Absolutely stunning .

Daryl · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2023, 01:56:37 AM »

My long rifle was wash-boardy on the butt stock and in the forend. It was a closeup appearance thing
and by feel, rather than distance appearance.

SBachner · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2023, 02:16:24 AM »

Is the "washboard" a texture or a visual effect?

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #15 on:** September 03, 2023, 02:33:25 AM »

The washboard is both visual and tactile. I examined a Leonard Reedy rifle once from a famous collection that was loaded with washboard. It did not take away from the rifle's worth or excitement.

Goo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2023, 05:20:19 PM »

This one is for the hard liners and the daring. I sometimes use broken glass for scraping, the results are wonderful, a really old farmer showed me in 1980. The Caveat is put on safety goggles, not glasses. Break the jars in a bucket and cover the jar in a rag or towel also be careful while scraping that little slivers or flecks don`t jump back at you. As a true statement I have never cut myself or gotten a flake in my eye since i`ve been doing this BUT I have always taken the precautions seriously.

dadybear1 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2023, 08:19:19 PM »

IM LIKE GT--USE GLASS SCRAPING BOWS---JUST LIKE FLINT/OBSIDIAN---WORKS GREAT

utseabee · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2023, 08:50:16 PM »

Quote from: blienemann on September 01, 2023, 05:25:09 AM

I don't try for washboard, but I sure enjoy it when it happens. Hope you can see it in the wrist of this rifle, where the grain of this hard and crunchy maple created nice waves. I have seen this on a few old rifles - some with scrape marks, and others where the wood has shrunk over time. Hope you can see this, Bob

Bob,
That looks awesome! I hope for that look every time I scrape.

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Author Topic: Scraping a Stock and Curl Resistance (Read 1758 times)