Page "Gunsmith" Paragraph 75

Simulated checkering on plastic pistol grips. Checkering tools, showing tiny saw-teeth used to create v-grooves. A gunsmith checkering the fore-end of a rifle.

( This specialization is frequently combined with that of the Stockmaker ) Uses checkering tools to create an ornate pattern of small raised diamonds in the wood surfaces which are to be gripped.

The checkering tools are in effect tiny saws, designed to leave a v-shaped groove ( of approximately 60 to 90 degrees ) in the surface of the wooden gunstock.

Special checkering tools consisting of two saw blades in parallel are used to set the spacing ( between 16 to 24 lines per inch ).

The area to be checkered is covered by one set of such grooves parallel to each other.

A second set of parallel grooves is then executed across the first set, at approximately a 30 degree angle, leaving the area covered with small pointed diamonds.

The edges of the checkered area are frequently ornamented with simple bas-relief wood carving, frequently variations on the fleur-de-lis.