Fixing a cracked stock.....ideas?

[SnakeEater]

In my waaahoooo thread of earlier I was gloating over the deal I got on this K31. Select grade with walnut stock for $99. If you look in the third pic down you'll see a very thin crack right below the bolt.

So I thought it would make a nice thread for everyone to discuss their favorite repair methods. I'm gonna do the toothpick/gorilla glue method. After a nice soaking in mineral spirits and a little sanding I'll put a nice coat of Tru-Oil on and see how she looks. Unless you've got a better idea.

 

[Mike U.]

Okay, stupid question time.
Where is it?
Try as I may, I can't see the crack, even with my magnifying optical mouse.

 

[SnakeEater]

sorry bout that. I added arrows to help.

 

[GnL]

Go here: http://p102.ezboard.com/BLO-amp-Tun...rmsforumsfrm34.showMessage?topicID=1355.topic
and scroll down to "All About CA: Cyanoacrylate Adhesives…AKA…instant glue” and then read the section on stock cracks. This type of glue works really well based on my limited experience. Good luck.

 

[Mr White]

Stick a utility knife blade in the crack.
Gently pry it open slightly.
Use an air nozzle to blow water into the crack, then gorilla glue with an air nozze and a toothpick..

 

[Frog48]

Duct tape.

 

[cracked butt]

I'll put a nice coat of Tru-Oil on

Before you ruin the stock with that garbage*, try a slurry of 50/50 boiled linseed oil/Orange Bullseye shellac (Zinsser)- its about as close as you can get to the original finnish.


*garbage might be a harsh word, but I've done one rifle in Tru-oil and I cringe every time I look at it. Its a dead finish that sits on top of the wood like polyurethane.

That's a pretty nice looking stock on your rifle, once you fix the crack (see Mr White's post), I would steam out the dents and rub on some new finish. I wouldn't sand at all, but if you do, don't go hog wild- even a little sanding will be obvious. Ultimately, its your rifle, do what you want with it...

 

[SnakeEater]

Thanks for the advice. After reading many negative comments about Tru-oil from a variety of places I've decided to pursue something different. Probably gonna do the linseed route.

 

[Gator]

Gorilla Glue is great, BUT, be sure to clamp it tight while it dries. Gorilla Glue expands, which is great for filling cracks, but if the piece is not clamped down it will push the crack open.

And forget the Tru-Oil

 

[Mike U.]

Wow! Excellent advice here!

I was going to say go with the cyanoacrylate. I like ya'lls idea better.


Duct tape...LMAO!!

 

[nwilliams]

I had a crack like that on one of my Mausers, so I opened the crack as much as I could, with some help from a buddy and tried to get as much glue in there as I could, I think I just used commercial wood glue nothing special. I then clamped it for a day or two and it seems to be fine now can't even tell where the crack was after a bit of refinishing.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Credit to dfariswheel on this one:

If you use gorilla glue, apply a small film of wax to the wood near the crack (not in it) so that when the glue dries and flows out you can scrape the excess off without it ruining the finish around the repair.

I'd vote not to refinish, though I know you didn't ask. That stock is really in pretty good shape for a K31, and the work, effort and money you put into a refinish, along with the risk the project will go poorly, I'd just say the benefits of leaving it historicaly correct outweigh the benefits of refinishing.

Regardless, enjoy the rifle even if that means enjoying the project it becomes, and stock up on brass.

 

[roo_ster]

Brownells is your friend.

They have several means to fix cracked stocks.

One of the better utilizes a threaded brass rod and adhesives.

 

[Slamfire]

I have used Brownell's acraglass on stock cracks. Those two part epoxies are simply great. I have no idea how good of a glue Gorilla glue is, but I will bet that it is not as strong as any epoxy.

I would take the action out of the stock, rub the stock down with Johnson paste wax, so the glue does not stick on the outside, put tape behind the crack, and pour a two part epoxy in the crack and let it sit for about three hours. Then while the glue is thick tacky, wipe the surface flat.

The epoxy repair will be stronger than the original wood.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Gorrila glue works VERY well. I used it to repair a severly cracked 870 stock last year. It's holding up fine.

FWIW: It was reccommended to me by a gentelman that does wood work for a living.