Thread: Question for STOCK MAKERS

Would Rewa rewa make a good stock timber?

I like the idea of the flecks in it, but it may not be a good choice. This would be for a non hunting rifle more of a static range rifle such as F Open or FTR.

Another idea is to use a Ali back bone laser cut to the profile outline and use Rewa rewa as slabs on each side, much like a knife is done.

Might be ok if well seasoned but lots of better wood out there.
I have some nice left over walnut here (enough for scales) if you go that route
PM me if you want

The grain looks nice but it is terrible to work with, very stringy and difficult to get precise cuts for inletting.

no to get the best from Rewa Rewa it is cut on the quarter grain and used as small pieces - very difficult timber to work - heart rimu may work matai may work - kanuka again may work need to dry them and see how they turn out

Thanks for the replies gents, 'twas just an afternoon dwell. I'll realign my thinking.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

no to get the best from Rewa Rewa it is cut on the quarter grain and used as small pieces - very difficult timber to work - heart rimu may work matai may work - kanuka again may work need to dry them and see how they turn out

Great minds think alike, I'm planning to make a Rimu stock for my old SxS 12ga. More of a fun project than anything else as long as I can find some time.

wasnt there quite some years ago a 22.cal rifle made in NZ and I remember he used red beech for stocks there is a whole family there red silver black beech

One thing you could look at is maybe stabilisation of the wood. It is done with cactus juice , ( it is a brand not real cactus juice hey:-), the process is used for infusing that liquid Resin into the wood and it never shift again and is impervious to moisture. It is done on a smaller scale on knife handles. It could theoretically be done on any wood , it s just that for a rifle stock you would need a lot of it.
À mate of mine in france was doing the treatment on rotten poplar knife handles 25 years ago. It does increase the weight of the wood as well, so perfect for a target rifle.