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A fix for wobbly stocks I learned from an old timer at our town fair
Last weekend at our town's heritage fair, I got chatting with an older gentleman who had a vintage rifle with a wobbly stock. He showed me how he used a simple wood shim and hide glue to tighten it up, something I'd never tried before. I've always reached for modern adhesives, but his method has held for decades. It made me wonder how many traditional techniques we're losing in favor of quick fixes. Do you folks still use old school methods like that, or is it all epoxy and polymers now? I mean, when does a repair become more about preserving the craft than just making it functional?
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bettyroberts1mo ago
Oh totally, my grandpa did the same thing with a loose chair leg using soaked rawhide strips (sounded weird but it's still solid 30 years later). Sometimes the old ways just work better.
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harpery471mo ago
My solution with expanding foam glue now has a door that won't open. Maybe the old ways are smarter than my bright ideas.
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kellyjones1mo ago
Soaked rawhide strips holding for thirty years really puts my DIY skills to shame. I once used so much super glue on a loose drawer handle that I sealed it shut permanently. Now it's just a decorative block of wood on my dresser. It makes you appreciate how those old timers knew exactly how much to use without wasting a drop. I'm starting to think my tool box needs less fancy glue and more simple tricks. What's the simplest old school repair you've ever pulled off?
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