I’m putting this in the DIY section because I want to encourage people to fix old things. Even if it has little dollar value. You will learn skills. Then someday you will come across something that is very valuable/desirable and you will know how to fix it.
This is a Diana model 45, spring piston air rifle. Made in Germany in 1984. Imported to the U.S. by RWS. I bought it knowing it had a cracked stock. But I was pretty sure I could repair it.
These first two photos are how I received the stock.
I first epoxied the crack using Brownells Acraglas epoxy. They have a super runny formula that is perfect for repairing cracks.
After that epoxy set. I cross drilled the crack. I will then epoxy toothpicks down into those holes.
Next was to glass bed the front action screws. Use the non running Brownells formula. I made guide pins to help locate the screw hole. I filled the entire hole. And I will cut a new counterbore. The epoxy left in the oversized hole will act as a bushing.
It took me about three tries to get that right side hole filled completely. Next is cutting the counterbore. I seriously lucked out. The screw holes are perfectly square to the stock. This makes my setup or fixture super easy.
Gently clamp the stock in the vise and check for level in both directions. And I’m good to go.
Almost done
I had to sand down the the stock the entire length of the crack on both sides of the gun. (Oh the other side had a crack that happened prior to the last owner. It was an old repair) In true ADD fashion I was getting burned out on this project and did not want to refinish the entire stock. Believe it or not. I color matched the original finish. The entire project went as planned. But I was blow away by how the stock finish turned out. I Did Not Plan That Out.
See the toothpicks
Before my repair
After
I knew going into this project that I would not be able to hide these repairs. And I was fine with that. I did not increase the value of this air rifle. Even after all this work. But I’ll tell you this. This 1984 economy grade air rifle that I paid $160.00 shipped. Is better than any economy grade air rifle you can buy new today.