Gun stock filler foam

R

R.DesJardin

Guest
Does anyone know what type of foam/synthetic material stocks are filled with? I want to try to make my own stock, I have a great book on making a mold for laying a fiberglass stock but the author didn't fill them with anything.
Thanks,
 
Don't have a clue what they use. But, I'd be tempted to use the foaming crack sealer sold in hardware stores. Don't over apply as it really will expand and break stuff.

On factory synthetic stocks they use folded up sheets of some type of plastic. I guess to deaden the hollow sound...
 
Boat builders foam.

You can buy boat builders expanding foam also. I think you can get it from West Marine. It starts as a 2 part liquid mixture and expands quickly as it solidifies. It might be easier to pour into small spaces than the "Great Stuff" type expanding foam.

SteveM.
 
Stockmaking book info

I have had many request for this info,
I got it from a fiberglass supply dealer.
The book is:
"Build a Custom Fit Synthetic Stock"
Walt Netzel
432 N. Columbia Ave
Coulee Dam, WA 99116
509-633-1235
He had only a couple books left when I got mine, but with this renewed interest I hope he prints more.
 
There's probably a variety of different structural foams used by 'glas stockmakers, though the only makers I have personal experience with are McMillan & Robertson Composites. From doing some inletting on both brands, whatever they're using appears very similar, and is very dense, unlike what I'd expect to see with any of the expanding sealing foams sold in lumber stores. None of the stocks I've worked with were intended for weight-specific BR class shooting, so perhaps they were built using a heavier, higher-density type foam. I know that when you want a heavier stock from McMillan, you can specify solid fill for the butt section, but am not sure whether they use a different foam filler, or just don't leave a hollow space in the buttstock.
 
I contacted Walt Netzel today about copies of his book. He said someone else had already called about a copy and that he didn't have anymore available. His edition is in a 3 ring binder with pictures on one page and text on the other.
He put me on with his wife and she said she would try to make photocopies avialable. She said the best way to contact them was through e-mail, netzel5@msn.com
She would respond and try to make arrangements for copies. She also said that Walt would really appreciate any feed back related to the stock work and that he had info avialable for faux wood finishes for the composite stocks.
Dee C.
 
Back
Top