Thank You Rick Borecky!

[Punch The Clown]

Well, I've been struggling with the finish on my WRA-GHD stock. Stock was too dark. Purple power several times, even A/B wood bleach. The stock was white as snow with absolutely no oil or dirt. Put on some linseed and it would turn dark brown. Anyway, Rick asked for some pics, offered to clean the stock for me although he did say that he didn't think there was anything left to clean. After studying the pics he asked if everytime I washed the stock would the runoff be bright yellow that stained your hands? Well, he was spot-on on that one. Rick explained that the walnut was just exceptionally oily-he said about 1 out of 20 stocks are that way-and it will never finish light in color. He suggested a few tricks to keep it from getting that muddy dark brown when finished. I modified one of his suggestions and now the stock is a deep rich brown/red and I am totally satisfied. Pics will follow when it stops raining here. Stu

[paid4c4]

Now I know what you were using the Fiebings maroon on. Can't wait to see the pictures.
Bill

[Punch The Clown]

Bill, I actually didn't stain the stock. Just the BLO and it came out a nice brown-with not the slightest tint of red. I used a litle bit of the maroon dissolved in denatured and gave it the lightest touch and that's what it needed to get that red tint that I love. I'm talking very little maroon. Stu

[Punch The Clown]

Lets see if this works. The only thing left to do is to find my WRA pinion which is on another rifle and swap it. I already have an elevation cap so I am done. LP says not to re-park it so I'm listening to him. The pics aren't the best-the rifle looks better in person. Stu
http://s369.photobucket.com/albums/oo140/Stumedic/WRA01/?albumview=slideshow

[Punch The Clown]

Lets see if this works. The only thing left to do is to find my WRA pinion which is on another rifle and swap it. I already have an elevation cap so I am done. LP says not to re-park it so I'm listening to him. The pics aren't the best-the rifle looks better in person. Stu

[Prince Humperdink]

You make Me shiver with an tici.....PATION! Can't wait to see pics.

[paid4c4]

Where are the pictures?
Bill

[Rick B]

Glad to help and the yellow he is talking about is the natural dye in the Walnut that you will get if you husk a nut from the tree. Later your hands will turn black from it as will the stocks. Many times I worked on a stock and my hands were tiny brownish black speckles and realized when your hands sweat and working with these stocks it happens. The best I can figure is that it is when the tree is in a certain growth period that the stain will be stronger. Rick B

[Punch The Clown]

You have to hit "View All". Photobucket isn't compatible with v-bulletin. Stu

<div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed369.photobucket.com%2Falb ums%2Foo140%2FStumedic%2FWRA01%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s369.photobucket.com/albums/oo140/Stumedic/WRA01/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

[Prince Humperdink]

That is a lovely Rifle Stu!

[captain_bob_badfish]

That looks great!

[LEAD POISON]

Damn! That's nice.

[Punch The Clown]

Note to self-one WRA is more than enough. LP I'm not parking it.

[Prince Humperdink]

Note to self-one WRA is more than enough. LP I'm not parking it.

I agree,at least in trying to make one correct.Someday I may get a Mixmaster,but it will stay that way.I also am leaving My finish alone.It looks like washed out green,but is not bare metal.I think it is original.

[dogboysdad]

Who recrowned the barrel?

[Punch The Clown]

Who recrowned the barrel?

No re-crown. Optical illusion. Looks that way in the picture though.

[cannonshooter]

Very nice stu,
When are we going to meet up at Colonial?
Mack

[Punch The Clown]

Very nice stu,
When are we going to meet up at Colonial?
Mack

I've been jammed up of late with my Mom in the hospital. I usually try to get over there at least a couple of times a month. I'll let you know the next time I'm going. Stu

[cannonshooter]

Stu,
Went today and burned some HXP thru the garand love going there during the week there were only 3 others there.
Mack

[Punch The Clown]

Mack, I only go during the week and try to dodge the Range Nazis.

[cannonshooter]

im allergic to the place on weekends. would they think it was funny if i showed up to shoot in a german uniform on a sunday and saying im trying for corporate membership? with my work schedule week days off are more frequent.
mack

[Dave]

Looks great, nice job. I would'nt repark that one either, looks great in the pics you posted.

[Punch The Clown]

Thanks Dave. It's just so many different colors. I'm learning to love it. You have to see some of the machining on it. Looks like they used a stone axe and a club. Unbelievable. Tim saw it and he feels it has character. It does shoot well however.

[Dave]

WRA can be crude but I've seen some WW2 SA that is equally crude. Gotta remember, it was wartime production, garands were not the only thing they were making and WRA was a small business compared to the government owned and run Springfield Armory. The guns had to function and function they did. They were'nt made to enter a beauty contest. "Pretty" did'nt start until the 1990's or so. :)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a305/M1Riflenut/garand%20pics/WRA-rec-collage2.jpg

[Punch The Clown]

I would say you're slightly intimate with the WRA's.