Removing stuck buttplate and...

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:24 pm

Hello,

I bought a replacement buttplate for a Sterlingworth to swap out for a badly chipped original however, the existing plate seems to be glued to the stock. It could be stuck on with varnish as the stock has been refinished at somepoint. I'm hoping there is something I can use to loosen the buttplate without removing finish from the stock? Any ideas on what might do?

Thanks,

Jerry

mike campbell · Post by **mike campbell** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:30 pm

Possibilities;

a little temperature change and some light tapping. Take a hair dryer to it for a couple minutes....lightly tap the center with a block of wood and a small hammer.
or
Stand the butt in the snow for 5-10 minutes and then tap on it
or
gently work a single edged razor blade in between here and there,
exercising caution all the while...you've got all winter to get it off, right?

Report back please.

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:32 pm

Thanks Mike - I hadn't thought of trying temperature extremes. I'll give it a go and report back.

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:54 am

Mike,

Thanks again for your suggestions. Heat and a razorblade did the trick... problem is that new buttplate didn't fit. Came up slightly short in width and length. No biggie as I picked it up at a gun show for 15 bucks. If I can't repair the chip in the original, I'll probably go with a pad at some point.

Best,
jmc

Dr_Woof · Post by **Dr_Woof** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:37 am

jmc - I just fitted new butt plate and grip cap to an old Sterlingworth and like you, the buttplate was just a tad too small, I managed a good fit though since the stock was scratched and dented so I just put the butt plate on and sanded the stock down that way to a fliush fit with 120 grit paper. Didnt have to take off much, maybe a mm or so and the stock looks much better now. Another problem I ran into was the screw holes for the new plate had to be moved "up" about half their original diameter. Accomplished this by using a dremel tool to rasp out the old holes in the right direction and filling in the extra space with some wood splinters and glue. Worked fine. The edges of the new butt plate will look ugly until its final sanding with 600 grit paper. After this I finished off with many coats of tung oil applied to the stick and edges of the butt plate and this produced the desired effect.

fullchoke16 · Post by **fullchoke16** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:01 pm

I've repaired chips, cracks and spalls in hard rubber butt plates with JB weld. To get the right color, smear a bit on the underside of the butt plate and let it dry until you come up with the right shade. It's an epoxy and can be sanded or filed when cured. If you need to go that route.

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:38 am

Dr_Woof - this is an approach I considered but I think I'd have to remove too much wood, but thanks for sharing your approach and results.

Fullchoke - What did you use to color the JB Weld? Were you able to finish the JB Weld to the same texture of the original plate? I've heard of folks doing same type of repair with Acraglass and dye.

mike campbell · Post by **mike campbell** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:14 pm

Jerry,

give us the exact dimensions. I may have an original that I'll give you.

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:27 pm

Mike,

I don't have a scale with 32nds on it so measurements are as close as I can get in 16ths. Nor do I have calipers... The wood measures 5" x 1 11/16", or slightly less than 1 3/4" at its widest. The holes are almost exactly 3" on center and the top hole is 11/16" from edge of heel.

I would like to offer the plate I have to anyone who thinks they can use it. It's measurements are 4 15/16" x 1 10/16".

Thanks,

Jerry

mike campbell · Post by **mike campbell** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:06 pm

Jerry,

I have one that should work. PM me with your address and I'll mail it to you.

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:31 pm

Mike,

Thanks much for your kind offer. I've sent you a PM.

Regards,

Jerry