As an overview of the basic woodworking tools you would need to begin your
own gunstock woodworking customization project, I will be discussing a number of
different tools and their uses. Please note that the tools being discussed are just the
basics and not a comprehensive list of items you must have to complete your project.
For example, a butter knife would not be listed as a basic woodworking tool but if you
find a use for it that works well for the project you are working on then so be it.
To begin, a decent set of wood rasps is a great place to start. Not to be confused
with metal files, which look very similar, wood rasps give you a very rough cut on the
wood and should really only be used when shaping the wood into a gun stock. Next, we
have curved tooth files that again work well to shape the wood particularly for your final
contouring of combs, grip areas and more. Another few tools to consider are the cabinet
rasp, which are less course than standard wood rasp, pattern makers rasps, which is
usually used once the basic shape is achieved and you want a smoother finish, and the
horse rasps that are usually much thinner and fine toothed.
Finally, we will discuss the 4-in-hand rasps file. This type of file gives the user
four very different types of rasps in the same tool. This tool has a rasp and file section
on a flat side and the same on the other but the other side has a half round shape. This
all in one type of file may be a great place to start when buying tools for this type of
work and is currently a staple in most stock makers basic tool collection.
