Trimming rifle stock with TS 55 and MFT

[Kodi Crescent]

Hi.  I'd like to adjust the length of pull on a rifle stock.  I could pay a gunsmith a couple hundred bucks to do this, but I thought with all my Festools I could do it just as well myself and save myself the money and hassle of taking it in.

I was thinking about wrapping the cut area with tape, marking it, aligning my cut marks with the rail on the MFT, clamping the rifle so it didn't move, and then making the cut with the TS 55.

Does anyone see any problems or pitfalls with doing this?  I believe the stock is walnut.  I've never worked with walnut before, so I don't know what to expect?  Any warnings before I try it?

Thanks!

 

[Henning]

I've done something similar, but with the TS I would build a softwood frame around the buttstock the same height and use that to support the rail. Then making sure everything is clamped tight,  cut. Please be aware of the following though:
1. Is the stock straight on the shoulder side? If not, best leave it to someone else.
2. Figuring out how much you need to take off isn't always as easy as it looks. Doublecheck is in order!
3. Make sure you do a test run before committing and thinking through the whole job.

It is not rocket science, but there are some things which can go wrong so best think it through properly.

Take a wide blue masking tape around the stock to mark your cut. Make sure it's tight and flat all around. This will also help against break out on the back.

 

[semenza]

Also  do a trial run on the actual stock by making a test cut that removes  significantly less than you want to take off. That  will reveal any potential problems while leaving plenty of room for the real cut.

Seth