I did a google search myself, not much out there, the only one that was of the same basic ideas as the way I learned was a write up by Len Brooks (
Stockmaker show and tell - Topic). Most all of the others I looked at went to way too much trouble making templates and the such. Seems that would only be useful if you were only dealing with one make of rifle and done in the same style every time. Of those other than the one Mr. Brooks did, everyone cut out the basic shape and then started inletting. What if you happen to wander off the center line a bit. If you cut out the basic shape you're stuck with it, if you do the inletting first and happen to be off the center line, a
new center line can be established and all measurements can be made from the
new center line. If you have a vertical mill, and are a good hand at using it, you can do alot of pre-inletting there. But , the mill is optional. A good vertical band saw, a drill press (and proper bits), a router, good carving tools (chisels & gouges, not the kind usually found in a carpenters tool box), some scrapers, double cut files (half round and 'rat tail'), and a #49 pattern makers file/rasp are what is needed. A 12" disc sander and a die grinder & double cut burrs come in handy, too. I carry my blank to the local mill works and they square the top and off cheek piece side to each other, gotta' have true surfaces to lay out and measure from. (the band saw, router, disc sander, die grinder & drill press are opional, too. it can
all be done with just hand tools). Mr. Brooks has a pretty good thread of what to do in what order. There are some books out there, if you can find them. They aren't cheap.. "Stockmaking" by Alvin Linden,,,,,,, "Professional Stockmaking" by Dave Wesbrook,,,,,,,, Jerry Fisher has some full sized drawings published, I think I saw them on Mid Ways' web site.
