Is it possible to make a beech stock look nice?

[aston_shooter]

As above.....

I am in possession of a beech stock that's in need of a makeover. I could sand it down and start again, but my question is..... Is it possible to make a beech stock look nice? Is it worth spending time on?

My other option is to get the stock done in realtree by hydrographics.

What's your opinion?

I love to see a nicely finished piece of wood, but is that possible with a slab of beech? Or am I trying to polish a turd?

Opinions very much appreciated chaps

[Retracted_Yeti]

It's well possible, as long as it 'aint a total wreck to start with!

HTH.

Cheers.

Roy.

[ikarma70]

beech can turn out quite nice but dont expect the same results as walnut.

just a plain oil finish is very nice on beech as it may not take a lot of stains.

[bennyblanco]

you can do a lot with beech, it will never be as nice as good walnut but with a stain, some oil and a lot of hard work it will look nice.

this was a very plain beech stock.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9...tock0147th.jpg

[u.k.neil]

I re-finished a 10/22 beech stock using the Birchwood Casey kit and it came out a lovely light blonde colour, really like it.

Neil

[Ideot Savant]

I recently refinished a beech stock but cocked it up with colron wood stain, I've since learnt that water based stains go on more even.
The stock is now sprayed black, looks okay.

[sbd]

...surprise me that being a BSA BennyB, I've always found that for whatever reason BSA beech always seems to have that bit more in it once stripped and oiled than other makers.

As regards polishing a turd Aston - in the "good old days" a skillful 'smith would often use darker dyes applied in very thin lines to follow any existing grain and literal draw figuring into the wood before finishing. I've seen examples of this (mainly old sbs shotguns) and it is very effective but I suspect takes a while to learn LOL
Failing that you mention HydroG - if you go that route why not get them to dip it in "burr walnut" there've been some photo's on here before of this. Stunning although for my personal taste a bit too "exhibition" for me.

[zebedee71]

lot of years ago i knew a lad who spend over 3 weeks one 1 stock a small bottle of medium stain and a few tubs of cotton buds and made a Beeck stock look like walnut

He added all the cross grain by hand and the effect was perfect.

If you want to stain then use Gun Stock oil and add a drop or two of an oil based stain in with the stock oil and shake before you apply.

That way you don't change the ammount of stain through the whole oiling process.

I have just done my AYA and Rizzini and they both look nice

Zeb

[Kingplinker]

Hi

Have a look on Daves airguns below , first pic of the prosport .... well its the best I could do with beech

[Lash13]

Hi mate, have you considered a spray paint finish like This

I charge £90 for a complete stock, stripped and professionally sprayed.
(Thats about half the price of Hydrographics, its very tough and you can have any colour you want.)

Lee

[Mad Mark]

As above.....

I am in possession of a beech stock that's in need of a makeover. I could sand it down and start again, but my question is..... Is it possible to make a beech stock look nice? Is it worth spending time on?

My other option is to get the stock done in realtree by hydrographics.

What's your opinion?

I love to see a nicely finished piece of wood, but is that possible with a slab of beech? Or am I trying to polish a turd?

Opinions very much appreciated chaps

RUB IT BACK TO WOOD SOME THICK ROPE. RAP IT ROUND THE STOCK SO THERE IS JUST LITTLE SLITS HERE AND THERE.THE NEXT THING A BLOW LAMP WERE THE LITTLE SLITES ARE GO OVER WITH THE LAMP TILL IT JUST STARTS TO BROWN DO IT WERE YOU WANT A THEN YOU HAVE TIGER STRIPS LIGHT RUB JUST TO GET THE BITS OF THEN OIL LOOKS VERY NICE IF ITS DONE RIGHT.THANKS MARK

[rusham]

RUB IT BACK TO WOOD SOME THICK ROPE. RAP IT ROUND THE STOCK SO THERE IS JUST LITTLE SLITS HERE AND THERE.THE NEXT THING A BLOW LAMP WERE THE LITTLE SLITES ARE GO OVER WITH THE LAMP TILL IT JUST STARTS TO BROWN DO IT WERE YOU WANT A THEN YOU HAVE TIGER STRIPS LIGHT RUB JUST TO GET THE BITS OF THEN OIL LOOKS VERY NICE IF ITS DONE RIGHT.THANKS MARK

I like the idea of that, nice one Mark.

I would suggest a bit of practice on some spare wood first before doing it to the stock.

[sbd]

...see how that works Mark although I suggest it's not the sort of thing you try after a couple of beers

[Mad Mark]

...see how that works Mark although I suggest it's not the sort of thing you try after a couple of beers

ITS A OLD GUNSMITH TRICK AND THE FINSHED ITEM LOOK JUST

[Lash13]

RUB IT BACK TO WOOD SOME THICK ROPE. RAP IT ROUND THE STOCK SO THERE IS JUST LITTLE SLITS HERE AND THERE.THE NEXT THING A BLOW LAMP WERE THE LITTLE SLITES ARE GO OVER WITH THE LAMP TILL IT JUST STARTS TO BROWN DO IT WERE YOU WANT A THEN YOU HAVE TIGER STRIPS LIGHT RUB JUST TO GET THE BITS OF THEN OIL LOOKS VERY NICE IF ITS DONE RIGHT.THANKS MARK

Nice idea..