I had CPA cut 3 forends for me in the past and they did excellent work. Based on a current thread regarding stocks, that excellence may have faded. 
My dilemma-
I have a stock blank set with wonderful figure I want/need cut for a lowwall and my initial choice was CPA. 
If the wood gets carved wrong, there is no do over and it’s unique qualities are gone forever.
With others having issues with them, who is a good choice for a stockmaker?
Thanks, Richard

cellargun wrote on Aug 6^th, 2026 at 3:40pm:


CG, I just measured the Cody Ballard action I am trying to install the CPA Pope stock to. It is about an eighth of and inch bigger than most of my Ballards. 

I have used CPA stocks before with no problems. I think it's a good idea to send your action and wood to CPA, have them carve your wood and fit it to the action. Will be worth the extra cost. And if you're as lazy as I am have them install the buttplate and do the finish.

CPA has done all my Single Shot stock work with good results. They supplied the wood. I’ve stocked a few muzzle loaders not my shops usual job.

I turn a lot of bowls, have for many years some highly figured. Last winter think the count was 3 dozen plus sold in local shows or given away Figured wood can be sorted by appearance in a block but you never know for sure until you start cutting. Bowls with faults can be saved with CA glue sometimes not always. Often the bowls intended size needs to be reduced to accommodate flaws. And some buyers like mixed grain, sap and heart, solid knots, and even holes in the finished job. There’s no accounting for taste.

With gunstocks the professional shaper, using his wood, will most often correct hidden problems by starting over with a new blank . Customer supplied another matter, he was not involved in the selection or care of blanks as they dry. Doubt if many will accept responsibility for supplied wood defects. Even if he did how’s he going to solve it. Fixing with Glue not acceptable most gun stocks, replacing wood may or may not satisfy the customer. When we judge a gunmaker’s excellence best use work completely under his control.

Boats 

George always refuses to carve my wood.   

There's also a guy in north central Pennsylvania named Sean Rowland who has a pantograph, many patterns, and the skill to use them. Not to mention the keen eye and true hands to do it the old fashioned way, by hand from a blank, if that's what you prefer. I would (and have recently) have him do my stock work before I'd consider CPA ever again. 

You can view his work on his Facebook page.

I’m not sure how anyone makes a living doing stock work.  Short story: My boss at my day job saw a stock I did for a Rolling Block.  He asked if I could do one for one of his rifles.  After seeing what a fancy piece of Walnut or Maple costs, he said he would be happy with the piece of plain Walnut I have in the shop.  He asked how long it would take, and I told him 6-8 weekends.  He wanted it done faster and told me to do it during work hours (we were in the slow season and he’s the owner).  I told him it would still take 6-8 weeks since the finish requires time to cure.  Our CFO overheard him and told him he would have to pay my billable hours to the company at my consulting rate.  6-8 weekends is roughly 100 hours of work.  Not really since I don’t spend full days working in the shop, but you get the idea.  I’m not sure what a stock maker charges per hour, but my consulting rate is $200/hr (that’s what the company makes, not what I make).  That would make the stock $20,000 before materials.    Either stock makers are super fast, or only charge minimum wage for their time.

Ohh Brother.

If someone wants to take a close look at the beautiful rifle, do you make them wear a bib so they don't drool on it..

Exquisite... !

So if I might ask, what is the final coat, oil or poly..?




bobw wrote on Aug 9^th, 2026 at 1:42pm:

RJ-35-40 wrote on Aug 9^th, 2026 at 2:05pm:



100% oil finish, through the last coat.
Bob