Checkering

[MosinVirus]

The undercut is done and front strap trued up, so I am starting to checker.
25 LPI.



No more need for the guide.

[Trakker]

Checkering

Nice. Are you overlapping each section?
How man passes with the file to achieve what you have now?
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[MosinVirus]

This took about 45 min.

The initial lines cut with the width of the checkering file (1/2") then serve as a guide. Move the file over a few lines, make sure half of the file rides in the previously cut grooves and half of the file starts cutting new grooves.

Right now I am only working on the sides. Deepening them and bringing line ends to same length. You can see I started at the bottom of the frame and am coming to the top of the frame, toward the trigger guard.

[MosinVirus]

Side is getting close. Will switch to the other side and repeat. Middle is the easiest so leaving it to last.

The way I use the checkering file is I file until it lands on the tips of the grooves and can't cut down anymore.

[MosinVirus]

Other side and middle done.

The dip is just an optical illusion.



This is why there is no need for V files. Just checkering file...

[inthegame]

Keep up the good work. I'm jelly

[MosinVirus]

A piece of thick copper wire was wrapped around the front strap to serve as a stop for a file.



Vertical checkering guide was attached to the side of the frame.



Holding the side of the file flush against the guide, a few starting lines are being cut.

Once they are deep enough, the guide will be removed and the file will self guide from these lines.



Guide is now off. Still deepening lines for now.



Now I am starting to lean the file to the side a bit to cut new lines.

[Andyman562]

Thanks for the pictures on the progress! Looks really good!

[MosinVirus]

Went over to the side. I am positioning the checkering file over the last line with its rightmost row of teeth. This way I will not cut yet another line on the side of the frame.



By the way, I am nowhere near being done. Haven't even started using layout dye.

And... has anyone noticed how thick this frame is?

[TexasJackKin]

I'm a retired Machinist/Tool&Die maker, and I'm constantly amazed at what you do, with what you have to work with. Very impressive!

[MosinVirus]

I'm a retired Machinist/Tool&Die maker, and I'm constantly amazed at what you do, with what you have to work with. Very impressive!

Thank you. The file actually does it all. I just supply elbow grease.

[usmcspud]

Damned nice work!

[MosinVirus]

Will be touched up right before blasting, but done for now.




Just to reiterate, this was done with just the checkering file. No single point v files. It comes out better this way. The process is exactly the same for checkering rear straps, MSH, etc. Horizontals first, then verticals.

Happy checkering, all!!!

[Dago Red]

Great thread! Can I ask, at what LPI do you get good grip without pain? My Springfields were 20lpi I think and it was just too aggressive, I ended up taking a Dremel and carefully taking the points off until I still got grip without pain.

Red

[MosinVirus]

Great thread! Can I ask, at what LPI do you get good grip without pain? My Springfields were 20lpi I think and it was just too aggressive, I ended up taking a Dremel and carefully taking the points off until I still got grip without pain.

Red

I personally like 20 lpi. But most people find 25lpi (which is what was done above) to be the best. I also just got 30 lpi file. I think it will feel more like sandpaper rather than checkering.