Shaping the Wood
Using a template and bandsaw, the rough shape of a stock is cut from wood. Slabs need to be at least two inches thick in order to hold the hold the receiver, as well as allowing enough room to properly form the final butt design.
Shaping is done with tools such as a wood rasp (similar looking to a file), oscillating spindle sander, and oscillating circular hand sander. Some finer details are carved using a Dremel with various attachments.
Molding the Base
The Ruger PC Carbine is a unique design where the stock, rather than the receiver, holds the mag release function. In an AR and AK, that functionality is built into the regulated receiver. Because of this,
the stock is not simply a base to attach the receiver, but needs precise alignment to feed consistently. An accurate recreation of the original stock is best accomplished with resin formed in a mold.
Resin Meets Wood
Resin and wood are good buddies who love making strong bonds. As a liquid, prior to becoming a final solid form, the resin soaks into the grain of the wood, fusing the two. The result is an extremely strong bond.
An additional benefit is the incredibly smooth transition between the two materials and an ability to work both with wood tools and sandpaper.
THE FINISH
The slab now has shape, and the resin has been formed and merged, but there’s some good old fashioned sanding that needs to be done. Throw down some dry 80, 120, 180, 220, 320, and then some wet 400 and 800 grit sandpaper and you’re ready to
stain and seal it all up. Don’t stop yet though. The final touch is spending time teasing out that polish. I prefer a smooth and glossy look, and so that’s what I make. It highlights the beauty of the grain while still being incredibly easy to grip. That’s it. That’s how you make an Olyoak stock.
