Was wondering if anyone uses these.... - The Firearms Forum

Zane71464 · 02-09-2012, 10:23 PM

, Recoil Pad instalation fixture?
I've got a few pads to put on and never used one of these. I've seen LP use one as an example on the outdoor channel and thinking it might just be the thing to buy and, to add to my tools.
Any thoughts would be aprrieciated.

norahc · 02-09-2012, 10:25 PM

Never had a need to install a recoil pad, since I'm fat enough that I have plenty of cushion there.

StoneChimney · 02-09-2012, 10:26 PM

Yep, use it regularly.

Zane71464 · 02-09-2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoneChimney

Yep, use it regularly.

EDIT: just ordered me one.

fuzebox40 · 02-10-2012, 01:01 AM

Seeing alot of them lately cuz I've been shopping pads but never seen one used. I am curious.

LDBennett · 02-10-2012, 06:26 AM

i've installed at least a dozen or so recoil pads on rifle over the years and used the tool referenced. It works well. It works best with a belt sander (the bench style) and really rough grit like 80 or 60. You can use a bech style disk sander but the reluts are better with the belt sander.

The best was to get the recoil pad to fit perfectly is use the tool then mount the pad and finish the job on the gun. This of course will ruin the stock finish so you have to refinish the stock. The job using only the fixture is actual good enough if you are careful.

The tool helps you get the angles correct so the pad look professionally installed.

LDBennett

Zane71464 · 02-10-2012, 06:31 AM

Ive seen LP from Midway use it on the outdoor channel one one of his "tips" on gunsmithing and it looked like the tool to have to install a recoil pad or butt plate professionally. Read the reviews and they all say it comes with easy to follow instructions. (ordered it from Midway, btw,)

Zane71464 · 02-10-2012, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

i've installed at least a dozen or so recoil pads on rifle over the years and used the tool referenced. It works well. It works best with a belt sander (the bench style) and really rough grit like 80 or 60. You can use a bech style disk sander but the reluts are better with the belt sander.

The best was to get the recoil pad to fit perfectly is use the tool then mount the pad and finish the job on the gun. This of course will ruin the stock finish so you have to refinish the stock. The job using only the fixture is actual good enough if you are careful.

The tool helps you get the angles correct so the pad look professionally installed.

LDBennett

That was my main thought as the instuctions say's a flat/fixed sander, LD.
(belt sander was on my mind for the fact for me, it's more efficiant for me to use)
Thanks for your input, LD.

Ive put a few on before, the old fashioned way and after seeing this in use on the channel, was thinking it's a good tool to have. not to metion I've got several to put on.
Jobs like that seems to come in pairs, for me.

LDBennett · 02-10-2012, 06:54 AM

Zane71464:

You need a table to move the tool and pad on and it has to be at exactly 90 degrees to the sanding media. A table disk sander works but a table belt sander works better. Follow the direction to the tee and you'll get good results. Remember to use the sanding media grit they suggest (I think it was 60 or 80 ??). Good luck.

LDBennett

Zane71464 · 02-10-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

Zane71464:

You need a table to move the tool and pad on and it has to be at exactly 90 degrees to the sanding media. A table disk sander works but a table belt sander works better. Follow the direction to the tee and you'll get good results. Remember to use the sanding media grit they suggest (I think it was 60 or 80 ??). Good luck.

LDBennett

I see.
My first thought was a drum sander on the Drill Press with the "jig" set up on a board on the drill press table.
I still though, can set up my belt sander 90 degrees.

Zane71464 · 02-10-2012, 07:34 AM

...but, it needs to be a flat sanding surface.

Bindernut · 02-10-2012, 08:48 AM

You can use a drum sander in a drill press with the jig, it's just not as ideal as a belt or disc sander since you've got a very small sanding area to use at a time compared to a nice flat belt/disc.
Use the largest radius drum that you've got.
It does work but you need to be real careful about the drum snagging the work and slinging it out of your hands...just like drum sanding wood on a press except a bit worse since the rubber is "grabbier" (is that even a word?

)

Another problem is that the final sanding scratches in the hard base portion won't be perpendicular to the mounting surface. If you're going to final sand that smooth with finer grit then it's not a problem, but if you want to leave the coarse grooved finish like is commonly done then it will not look right.

Jim K · 02-10-2012, 10:38 AM

I wonder why LD says "This of course will ruin the stock finish so you have to refinish the stock."

Is that only when using the tool? I put on a good many recoil pads without a special tool and never had to refinish a stock.

Jim

LDBennett · 02-10-2012, 02:28 PM

It is nearly impossible to get the base of the pad to fit in a perfectly smooth transition to the stock without touching the stock and marring its finish. If you plan to re-finish the stock anyway you can make a perfect transition because you can attached the pad to the stock when you sand it.

When using the tool, you sand the pad off the gun. Some touch it up once it is on the gun with a file but my filing skills and those of most of us out here is not perfect and I always hit the darned stock finish, it seems. So for me I get it a hairs breath away from being perfect (you can use tape to cover the stock near the pad's base) and call it good.

I don't like to refinish stocks but some do. If that is your bag then fit the pad and sand it to the exact size of the stock on the gun after roughing it with the tool.

The bottom line is that the tool is useful and works well. I would not think of fitting a pad without it.

LDBennett

rhmc24 · 02-10-2012, 04:05 PM

I'm with Jim K on this one. I've put on a few myself & don't recall whether I used a disc or belt sander. I did put masking tape on the wood finish near the butt cap and when the sanding was cutting the tape, I quit. My jobs look as good as the pro jobs.

LDBennett · 02-10-2012, 04:15 PM

rhmc24:

Your jobs look as good as the pro's because the way your described is the way they do it (grind/sand to the tape). This still leaves an edge on the pad base the thickness of the tape. That does not bother me in the least but it may bother some. Those people will have to refinish the stock to make the pad perfectly blend into the shape of the stock. I NEVER do this anymore but I have done it a couple of times when I intended to re-finish the stock (Did I say I hate to refinish stocks?).

LDBennett

Zane71464 · 02-10-2012, 05:48 PM

^^^^^ - All good information and plenty of tips that I appreciate!
Ive put a few on over the years the "old-fasioned" way, with out a template ot toll guide and have done some, what I would call, job well done.
I to have used some thin masking tape and when the sanding go to the tape I would usually painstakingly took the pad and spacer off and file and "fine" sand till it fit.
Ive onle put scratches on one old shotgun and it was my old beat up single shot.

So, I'm hoping this new process will get me (with work) a nothing less then, a perfect job with no scratches. Two of them I'm doing isnt going to matter to the owners, but it will matter to me. The other.....HAS to be 110% perfect without a mention of a scratch.

I sure appreciate all you guys input as I'll be a 1st time uses of this new tool and looking forward to getting started.

02-09-2012, 10:23 PM	#1
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,371	Was wondering if anyone uses these.... , Recoil Pad instalation fixture? I've got a few pads to put on and never used one of these. I've seen LP use one as an example on the outdoor channel and thinking it might just be the thing to buy and, to add to my tools. Any thoughts would be aprrieciated. Attached Images __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"! -->

02-09-2012, 10:25 PM	#2
norahc Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Small town 150 miles from Canada where 90% of population speaks Spanish. Posts: 1,788	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... Never had a need to install a recoil pad, since I'm fat enough that I have plenty of cushion there.

02-09-2012, 10:26 PM	#3
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... Yep, use it regularly. __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

02-10-2012, 01:01 AM	#5
fuzebox40 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Apple Valley, Ca. Contributor Posts: 1,485	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... Seeing alot of them lately cuz I've been shopping pads but never seen one used. I am curious.

02-10-2012, 06:26 AM	#6
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... i've installed at least a dozen or so recoil pads on rifle over the years and used the tool referenced. It works well. It works best with a belt sander (the bench style) and really rough grit like 80 or 60. You can use a bech style disk sander but the reluts are better with the belt sander. The best was to get the recoil pad to fit perfectly is use the tool then mount the pad and finish the job on the gun. This of course will ruin the stock finish so you have to refinish the stock. The job using only the fixture is actual good enough if you are careful. The tool helps you get the angles correct so the pad look professionally installed. LDBennett

02-10-2012, 06:31 AM	#7
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,371	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... Ive seen LP from Midway use it on the outdoor channel one one of his "tips" on gunsmithing and it looked like the tool to have to install a recoil pad or butt plate professionally. Read the reviews and they all say it comes with easy to follow instructions. (ordered it from Midway, btw,) __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"!

02-10-2012, 06:54 AM	#9
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... Zane71464: You need a table to move the tool and pad on and it has to be at exactly 90 degrees to the sanding media. A table disk sander works but a table belt sander works better. Follow the direction to the tee and you'll get good results. Remember to use the sanding media grit they suggest (I think it was 60 or 80 ??). Good luck. LDBennett

02-10-2012, 07:34 AM	#11
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,371	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... ...but, it needs to be a flat sanding surface. __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"!

02-10-2012, 08:48 AM	#12
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,453	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... You can use a drum sander in a drill press with the jig, it's just not as ideal as a belt or disc sander since you've got a very small sanding area to use at a time compared to a nice flat belt/disc. Use the largest radius drum that you've got. It does work but you need to be real careful about the drum snagging the work and slinging it out of your hands...just like drum sanding wood on a press except a bit worse since the rubber is "grabbier" (is that even a word? ) Another problem is that the final sanding scratches in the hard base portion won't be perpendicular to the mounting surface. If you're going to final sand that smooth with finer grit then it's not a problem, but if you want to leave the coarse grooved finish like is commonly done then it will not look right.

02-10-2012, 10:38 AM	#13
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... I wonder why LD says "This of course will ruin the stock finish so you have to refinish the stock." Is that only when using the tool? I put on a good many recoil pads without a special tool and never had to refinish a stock. Jim

02-10-2012, 02:28 PM	#14
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... It is nearly impossible to get the base of the pad to fit in a perfectly smooth transition to the stock without touching the stock and marring its finish. If you plan to re-finish the stock anyway you can make a perfect transition because you can attached the pad to the stock when you sand it. When using the tool, you sand the pad off the gun. Some touch it up once it is on the gun with a file but my filing skills and those of most of us out here is not perfect and I always hit the darned stock finish, it seems. So for me I get it a hairs breath away from being perfect (you can use tape to cover the stock near the pad's base) and call it good. I don't like to refinish stocks but some do. If that is your bag then fit the pad and sand it to the exact size of the stock on the gun after roughing it with the tool. The bottom line is that the tool is useful and works well. I would not think of fitting a pad without it. LDBennett

02-10-2012, 04:05 PM	#15
rhmc24 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ardmore, OK Posts: 527	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... I'm with Jim K on this one. I've put on a few myself & don't recall whether I used a disc or belt sander. I did put masking tape on the wood finish near the butt cap and when the sanding was cutting the tape, I quit. My jobs look as good as the pro jobs. Last edited by rhmc24; 02-10-2012 at 04:07 PM..

02-10-2012, 04:15 PM	#16
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... rhmc24: Your jobs look as good as the pro's because the way your described is the way they do it (grind/sand to the tape). This still leaves an edge on the pad base the thickness of the tape. That does not bother me in the least but it may bother some. Those people will have to refinish the stock to make the pad perfectly blend into the shape of the stock. I NEVER do this anymore but I have done it a couple of times when I intended to re-finish the stock (Did I say I hate to refinish stocks?). LDBennett

02-10-2012, 05:48 PM	#17
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,371	Re: Was wondering if anyone uses these.... ^^^^^ - All good information and plenty of tips that I appreciate! Ive put a few on over the years the "old-fasioned" way, with out a template ot toll guide and have done some, what I would call, job well done. I to have used some thin masking tape and when the sanding go to the tape I would usually painstakingly took the pad and spacer off and file and "fine" sand till it fit. Ive onle put scratches on one old shotgun and it was my old beat up single shot. So, I'm hoping this new process will get me (with work) a nothing less then, a perfect job with no scratches. Two of them I'm doing isnt going to matter to the owners, but it will matter to me. The other.....HAS to be 110% perfect without a mention of a scratch. I sure appreciate all you guys input as I'll be a 1st time uses of this new tool and looking forward to getting started. __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"!