Clay Smith Trade Gun Build

TDM said:

I’ll try when the time comes, but I’m a bit techno challenged. Guess I could duct tape my phone to a tree.

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LOL ! I understand , me too bud . Naw , dont bother unless you got someone there with ya to do it for ya ...

Finished sanding after the third grain raise. Applied iron nitrate, let it dry while I was outside doing chores. Worked it over with the heat gun thoroughly. Then mixed up a warm water and baking soda solution and wiped it down with that. Used the heat gun just a little to dry it. Mainly used the baking soda solution to see if I could get a little red tint to the wood. And it did, just a little. Three photos of the iron nitrate dry, then after heating, last one after the solution was applied and dried. Got to head home for a night or 2 and pickup a few supplies that arrived.

TDM said:

Thanks Rob, I’ll take luck over skill any day!

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When one has the skills, luck is sure to follow.

Your both way faster than me...Nice work you two....

Back to work on the build now that I’m caught up with outside work. Received my plates back from Mike Brooks, he did a magnificent job.
I wanted this stock to be different, to have some color. So I played around with Cherry and Maple stain cut with denatured alcohol. Ended up settling on this. The photos are after the first coat of Permalyn Sealer.

I like it, looks a lot like my second SMR

Looks goooood

tenngun said:

Looks goooood

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Thanks!

BillyC said:

I like it, looks a lot like my second SMR

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Thanks!

TDM said:

Back to work on the build now that I’m caught up with outside work. Received my plates back from Mike Brooks, he did a magnificent job.
I wanted this stock to be different, to have some color. So I played around with Cherry and Maple stain cut with denatured alcohol. Ended up settling on this. The photos are after the first coat of Permalyn Sealer.

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Looks great! I like it also .Mike did a great job on the plates also (of course I knew he would)

50calBoone said:

Looks great! I like it also .Mike did a great job on the plates also (of course I knew he would)

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Thanks. Yeah, Mike’s work was a given.

It all looks great !!!

Rob M. said:

It all looks great !!!

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Thanks Rob!

I’m having a bit of builder’s remorse. I put the final coat of Permalyn on this morning and after a while move it to the outside shop to hang. We have some warm, super dry air outside so it should cure rapidly. I followed Laurel Mountain’s instructions, put on 3 or 4 coats of sealer, and 2 or 3 coats of finish. I actually lost count. Went over it several times with synthetic steel wool during the process with wipe downs afterwards. This morning, per Laurel Mountain’s instructions, I finished with a thin coat of sealer. Now I’m not blaming anything on Laurel Mountain, great products all around. But I’m just not happy with the texture, it’s not as smooth as I hoped and I still have several small sags. My old eyes just miss things in the process. And the finish may be too much bling for a trade gun. I may go back and lightly sand the whole stock with 600 or 1,000 grit and put another coat of sealer or finish on it. Kinda wishing I’d just used Tried & True oil varnish, but too late now. Wood finishing is a weak point for me.

Don't beat yourself up. It'll all work out.

Well, I got back at it. I took the stock out in the sun and went over it carefully looking for bad spots, then hit them with extra fine scotchbrite. Wiped it down while still outside where I could see, dabbed and blended all the areas that I found with the finish. Of course I missed some, but I’m much happier with it now and it will just have to do. Afterwards, I did have better luck with the barrel. Finished up draw filing a few spots and sanding, degreased it, and used @ 50/50 Jax Black/distilled water mix. Put on 2 coats with a little draw back in between, but I got the color I wanted without much trouble. So it’s basically finished now except for cleaning out the pin holes, assembly and making the necessary small adjustments. One things for certain, if @Rob M. has anything to worry about, worrying about me cutting into his Trade Gun building business is not one of them!!! I’m worn out from this one!

I like it , looks great from what I see . I’m the same way with finishing wood.I painted many houses over the years as a side job but always get nervous staining wood.

50calBoone said:

I like it , looks great from what I see . I’m the same way with finishing wood.I painted many houses over the years as a side job but always get nervous staining wood.

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Yep, this was my first time using the Permalyn sealer & finish. Great products, but a learning curve for me.

Looks great! I like the barrel color. I hope you shoot it soon!

Bnewberry said:

Looks great! I like the barrel color. I hope you shoot it soon!

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Winding down to the end now. Still need to cast some .600 balls.