I am of the opinion that any of experience is a learning opportunity. My biggest life lessons have all come from doing something stupid and learning from it.
I have been sporadically working on this stock for about 6 months. During the bedding process I was too eager to get one of the bolts out and used a “little” too much force. To say I was disheartened would be an understatement! To that point there would have been 6-8 hours work, not including the bedding process.
I figured that as this was only my second timber stock I would glue it and complete it. Worst case I would still end up with a stock that I could use and be rough with. It would still be structurally sound, it just might not be as pretty.
But the experience I gained from finishing it would undoubtedly add towards my third stock, whenever that ends up being!
Well I am pleasantly surprised how this ended up! After I had finished the final shaping and sanding, the crack line was clearly visible. As soon as I added the first coat of oil, the crack almost completely disappeared! There is still one inch long crack visible if you look at just the right angle, in just the right light, but you have to be really looking for it.
The final coat of oil is drying as I type this. Now I just need to sort a suitable recoil pad and then to the range! I am thinking a limbsaver grind to fit, or I might actually just go for the good old jandal.
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