Carving
Gunstocks
Power Techniques
by Jose Valencia
Softcover
215 x 280mm
64pp
Published by Schiffer Publishing, West Chester, Pennsylvania USA
R.R.P.$26.90
ISBN 978-0-7643-3370-5
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 150
This is a book that will appeal to two kinds of reader - those who want to carve gunstocks and those who want to explore power carving.
Carving gunstocks is a traditional craft used not only to embellish a gun, but also for two practical reasons.
The first is that the carving identifies the gun, establishing ownership. The second is that two of the areas normally carved are: 1) beneath the barrel where it rests on the forward hand for firing and 2) the 'small' of the gun which provides the grip for the trigger hand.
The carving improves the grip at each of these points.
While gunstock carvings were originally completed entirely by hand, there is now an increasing use of power tools for this purpose.
Over the past 7 years, Jose Valencia has established himself as a leading gunstock carver. His book describes the techniques he has developed, illustrated by some 250 photos.
The various cuts are covered in detail showing the type of bit used for each.
Valencia uses a pneumatic Power Pen from Paragrave. This tool, which uses 1/16" bits, was invented by a dentist; it rotates at 500,000rpm and, says the author, 'cuts through wood like a warm knife through butter'.
The last few pages of the book are devoted to line drawings of some of the common patterns that the author uses and a Gallery of his work.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Carving
Gunstocks
- Rifle Carving Scrolls and Wildlife
- The Staining Process
-
Shotgun Carving Basketweave and Leaves
Patterns
Gallery
Gunstock Carving Classes