lee enfield mk4 forestock help needed please

[Peter Laidler]

The firsat question MUST be '.......what access do you have to woodworking machinery such as routers etc etc. Without that, don't even consider starting. That's not just some smart-arse giving you a glib answer, it's asked based on my knowledge and experience.

In my opinion, I'd get a damaged one and start with that

[avin]

i have access to a router and a fair bit of wood to practice on, dont forget though that this is at present a project to keep me occupied till i start earning again which is going to be at least 18 months away, whatever i try and make a mess of there will be no damage done to the rifle so to speak but then again i might do a good job of it as well lol, regardless i have nothing to lose having a go at it and learning something along the way. the only thing holding me back is measurements.

at some point i will but the real thing but i need to be working again for that.

thanks
al

[skiprat]

Have a look at "wood goes to war" in the screening room it may give you some ideas for jigs and templates.... No CNC machines simple cutters... It's helped me on a few projects.

[CINDERS]

I reckon find some one with a No.4 ask them very nicely if they can remove the bottom fore wood for you to measure in their presence of course get all the data you can.
Go out and buy some cheap as dirt pine and build a couple of trial fore woods that way errors you make will not impact on the Beech or Walnut of whatever hard wood you are going to use. "Measure twice cut once."
There will be plenty of WTF moments for you and there are critical areas of the stock that have to be exactly spot on, but I hope you get well and do not get yourself stressed out over it there are some very learned & kind people here that will help you if you know some one with a stock patterner then your miles ahead.

Here is some pics of my Master stock makers Ken Davis hand made stock he did for himself I am not sure but I think the wood was pear tree.

[Flying10uk]

You could ask the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds if they have the original engineering drawings for the woodwork and could you have a copy, please. I would suggest stating that it would just be for your personal use and not for any commercial venture. They most likely will not be able to help but it's worth a try.

[Peter Laidler]

The TROUBLE here is this............ I'd give you a bloody fore-end for the cost of the postage and a beer but since you want an 18month or so project, it defeats the object somewhat I feel. I suspect that there are several others here that might feel the same

[Roger Payne]

Agree entirely Pete. I've been debating whether or not to post offering avin a free fore end (just cost of postage), but got the impression that he'd almost prefer to make one himself. If he'd like to pm me & let me know whether he has a Mk1 or Mk2 rifle, & preferred wood type, I'll see what I can come up with.

[browningautorifle]

Here is some pics of my Master stock makers Ken Davis hand made stock

This was exactly the stock I was referring to earlier bu had no idea where to find the pics or who'd originally posted them. Pear tree, we went in circles trying to figure out the wood two years back...

[CINDERS]

Yes BAR I only remembered it tonight about what some people can achieve and it just suddenly hit me as I to had pondered the wood Ken told me he made it out of.

[browningautorifle]

I to had pondered the wood Ken told me he made it out of.

I'd shown a carpenter and he was unable to ID the wood, suggested it might be something "Aussie" as you have things there we don't have. Like Platypus...and Brisbane bitter(XXX).