Inletting for adjustable cheekpiece

[Monte Milanuk]

Anyone here have experience doing precision inletting for adjustable cheekpiece hardware like this:

http://mcgeestocks.com/graphics/stndchk.jpg

into an odd-shaped piece like this:

Cheekpiece (http://mcgeestocks.com/graphics/rollovercheeks.gif)

From what I've gathered, this sort of thing is normally done on a milling machine or something similar - large flat reference surfaces, lots of clamping opportunities, etc. Sadly, I don't have one of those in my basement shop (and I'm not sure I trust the local 'talent', given previous experiences), but I do have a plunge router, some books, and a bit of spare time. I was thinking along the lines of creating a template for use with a guide bushing, then finding some way to make a base to alternately clamp the cheekpiece and buttstock to (with lots of shims, etc.) while routing using the template. Keeping everything oriented properly is a major concern -as is being able to adequately clamp such an oddly shaped piece.

Any pearls of wisdom or gotchas I should be aware of? Is there a better way?

TIA,

Monte

[Roger Newby]

This looks like a job for Chiselman :D

[John Downey]

You can try finding a copy of Al Linden's book(s), the first one covers inletting. I have a bound re-print of all three, bought a couple years ago for $50 or so. You can often find used copies of the individual books for around $20.

Basically, you use the piece to be let in as a pattern and scribe around it with a knife or scribing tool (knife would be better for that piece - it has straight sides). I'd probably drill a series of holes and pare away with a chisel to get close, then do the scribing and cut to the line. Its not especially difficult, but does take practice.

I have done similar cuts on a milling machine, but as you say, kinda need some flat surfaces to work with.