Stock Sand-Along with Jim Kibler. Showing proper technique on sanding a flintlock muzzleloader kit.

Jim teaches how to properly sand a stock in this video. This is an area of gun building, especially when they are built from kits, where people tend to rush. When this is properly done the staining and finishing will go smoothly and look beautiful.

During the filming we had high winds and the power flickered off and on a number of times. The first time, when it came back on, the vacuum pump that we use for work holding malfunctioned and actually caught fire! Katherine knew Jim would grumble at her if she would have kept filming (though she really wanted to!). In the future, she will deal with him grumbling and keep rolling because it was really interesting.

Jim shows how to sand with the grain even in the challenging parts like the comb. Also, he discusses the importance of maintaining the shape of the stock and not rounding over corners or edges or wallowing out the low spots. There is a ton of valuable information and instruction in this video and much of it is in real time so you can follow along in your own project.

List of Products, Tools and Websites Mentioned in the Video

Kibler "Woodsrunner" Flintlock Muzzleloader Kit
Mirka Sandpaper: 150, 220 and 320 grit
Luxo brand articulating arm light
Bahco single cut mill file 8"
card scrapers .015 - .020 thick
maroon Scotchbrite
Gressel vise
various sanding blocks and backers

Gary Brumfield - prior gunsmith at Colonial Williamsburg. His website is still up. www.flintriflesmith.com
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