Carpentry Project - I Don't Have a Clue!

Edrof

Edrof

Edrof

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Carpentry Project - Lee Enfield Keyrings

Evening woodworkers!

So I have access to cheap butt stocks from things like British WWI and WW2 rifles and I was thinking, wouldn't it be great to get a couple and saw them up to make some nice key fob things for gifts. From this sort of thing:
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To this sort of thing:
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I got the idea from a chap who sells cut up Spitfire propellers as keyrings.

I only have basic hand tools - am I going to need a proper electric saw that cuts things perfectly straight, and a turny spinny thing that bevels and smooths and polishes?

Also, what's the easiest way of getting writing on there when it's shaped?

Any ideas much appreciated!
 
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Why would you want to butcher a lovely ww2 stocks like that. Any who, using a hand saw you could easily chop these up into rectangle pieces and just used a glad sanding pad to work the bits of wood into nice curvy looking key rings.
 
Same as above, why would you pay money fir machined wood.
Just buy nice wood blanks at roughly the right size you need.

As for easiest way.
Dye and stencil cheap.
Laser engrave fir "expensive"
 
Thanks for the replies. There's a large amount of these unfinished stocks knocking about and the only use is rare: building your own Number 4. Aside from some dealers cobbling together old parts, very few people do that and even fewer buy them to replace original furniture as the original stuff is the most desirable to collectors.

Turning one of these into a set of key rings for people who'd understand the significance is a pretty valid use, I think. So no mindless butchery involved!

How do you polish it up? Using finer and finer sandpaper?
 
Edrof said:
How do you polish it up? Using finer and finer sandpaper?
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If you want a high gloss then go for a high gloss lacquer or something. To get a super flat finish you can sand between coats with a fine emery paper, but I wouldn't think this was necessary for a keyring.

You shouldn't go any higher than 180 grit sandpaper before your finish goes on.
 
tbh, if you're using ww1/2 rifle stocks, why not use them to replicated dog tags from the same era?

can still be used as keyrings but it's a little more suited to the market you're thinking of.
 
Mark A said:
If you want a high gloss then go for a high gloss lacquer or something. To get a super flat finish you can sand between coats with a fine emery paper, but I wouldn't think this was necessary for a keyring.

You shouldn't go any higher than 180 grit sandpaper before your finish goes on.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark, do you think this is going to be a pain doing it all with hand tools?

AHarvey said:
tbh, if you're using ww1/2 rifle stocks, why not use them to replicated dog tags from the same era?

can still be used as keyrings but it's a little more suited to the market you're thinking of.
Click to expand...

That's a fantastic idea! British identity discs were round and octagonal, which complicates things a bit. Hmm, I'd be able to write the recipient's name on it, though...
 
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Edrof said:
That's a fantastic idea! British identity discs were round and octagonal, which complicates things a bit. Hmm, I'd be able to write the recipient's name on it, though...
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Google your local village/town and "mens shed" and see if there is one there.

it's basically a bunch of blokes usually doing carpentry together, just a place to hang out etc. They may be able to help and they'll have the gear to make it easy :)
 
Can people stop panicking, please? The propeller was in terrible condition but small sections (the keyrings are about five centimetres long) were salvageable as wood that still had a use. The Royal British Legion recently did something similar with far more valuable materiel:

Spitfire “P7350”, having survived the Battle of Britain complete with battle scars and bullet holes, is now the oldest, most original and historically significant airworthy Spitfire in existence. Recently the plane underwent restoration work, during which some of the original metal, duralumin, had to be removed.

TMB Art Metal were able to obtain this metal and have teamed up with The Royal British Legion to create [a] collection of cufflinks and jewellery to help remember the courageous members of our Armed Forces, and the sacrifice they made.
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These Number 4 stocks number in their thousands, hence why they can be bought for £5-10! This isn't wanton destruction: this is a way of remembering.
 
Edrof said:
Thanks Mark, do you think this is going to be a pain doing it all with hand tools?
Click to expand...

It would be easier with a band saw to cut the stocks into strips. You could do it with a sharp fine tooth hand saw, you'd just have to be careful to keep the cut square so you dont end up with wedges.

Then its just a case of planing the strips smooth and to the right thickness with a hand plane. Then you can cut the strips into pieces to make the keyrings. The edges could be rounded off with a sanding block to get them to the same shape as the pic in the op.

A bench mounted disc/belt sander is perfect for projects like this. The disc would round the edges with ease and the rough sawn strips could be smoothed flat on the belt.

I'm not sure if they would be worth making to sell though, but as a nice hand made gift for people into WW2 they would be great. If the idea is to sell I'd make 1 to see how long it takes and decide if its worth it.
 
Thanks, Mark. I need to find a buddy with a band saw, I think. Despite researching it, I'm still a wobbly hand-sawyer!
 
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