Indians For Guns

My DIY Cheek Rest / Pad

There are two aphorisms to which I have my own subscriptions:
1.They say that an ‘Idle Mind is a Devil’s Workshop’ – I’m about to prove it wrong!
•In my moments of solitude my thoughts wander seeking solutions to many a problem that confront me and I dare admit that I have solved a many! Hence a fertile mind even when idle is capable of creating something extraordinary!
2.Necessity is the mother of invention!
•If you need something desperately and if it’s not available, you then begin inventing to create what you desire.

One such thing that has been bugging me for a long time was - How to fit a Cheek Rest / Pad to my Samurai 3G’s (modified IHP35 0.22cal) because IHP stocks do not come with a built-in Cheek Rest / Pad. In fact most Indian made ARs do not come with one and if they do, it’s more of an apology that serves no useful purpose.

As there are no add-on Cheek Rest / Pads available as an accessory locally or nationally, I even tried on the net – the result was - some were made of rubber that had to be fixed permanently or others made of canvass filled with sponge / foam with Velcro fasteners and they all cost US$ 40/- upwards. These were not appealing and were costly too.

While calling on a friend at his office a few days ago, I saw a uniquely shaped ‘Napkin / Tissue’ holder on his table which was made of 0.5mm SS. The shape so fascinated me that ‘I imagined it sitting onto my Samurai stock in the form of a Cheek Rest / Pad. So I borrowed it from him and went to work.

DIY steps
1.Made a template out of duplex board of the dimensions of the Tissue holder
2.Bought a 1ft x 1ft soft rubber sheet – 3mm thickness from the local Hardware shop
3.Put the template on to the rubber sheet & cut the profile using a sharp paper cutter
4.Fixed the cut rubber pieces on to the Tissue Holder with anaerobic adhesive (This operation needs extreme care & dexterity as contours have to match prior to the quick setting adhesive)
5.Finally the edges were given a smooth finish with fine grained emery paper after which a coat of Carnoba wax was applied to give it a classy look.

Voila!!!
I now have a Classy Looking - One of a Kind Cheek Rest / Pad that could be….
• SNAPPED ON when required &
• SNAPPED OFF when not required!!!!

NOTE:
The shape & contour of the top of my Cheek Rest may not be suitable to some as the size & contour of the cheek bone varies from person to person – this can be overcome by re-shaping the Top Part by adding extra foam / sponge material to give the shape / curvature to suit the shooter.

Further Cheek Pads / Rests are ideally meant for those who use a scope on their weapons. The fact is scopes are always 1cms to 1.5cms higher than the rear sight. This elevation is taken care of by the Cheek Pad / Rest that helps to align the line of sight (cross hair to target) without getting a pain in the neck! BTW if patience is not your virtue – for DIY sake cultivate it!!!

Please view this video clip - (Why Cheek Rest / Pad)

Total Cost:
1. Rs.100/- for the Tissue Holder
2. Rs.35/- for the rubber sheet
3. Rs.50/- for the adhesive
Total cost = Rs.185/- as compared to US$ 40 = Rs.2000/ approx. charged by overseas vendors.

Finally for the cost of the fun I had in conceptualizing & sourcing the material, making it + the joy of seeing the final product and testing it = PRICELESS!!!
Cheers
Briha

> The pic are appended below for viewing

Very Nice work.

I do not have an eye for such things. I am assuming you saw a use for the tissue holder right away.

Ice.

Good Job Briha, just the thing for an airgun.
How firmly does it stay attached to the comb of the stock?

very neat Briha.......well done. not taking any thing away , but you could try to shape the pad to the contour of the stock as the next project.

btw that is one great looking/ finished wood you have there. hope the pad does not harm it.

regards and shoot safe.

nice work! simple, yet beautiful

Same questions, is it tight enough?
It might move as you rest you cheek..

Nice work.. , well done. ,
beautiful

Briha Sir, very creative use of a tissue holder . Did you see this being done someplace or was your idea ?

Regards
Moin.

Moin. wrote:Briha Sir, very creative use of a tissue holder . Did you see this being done someplace or was your idea ?
Regards
Moin.

> It was enitirely my idea - The moment I saw the Tissue Holder & its shape - Bingo!!!!
> Frankly I don't think such a Snap On / Snap Off attachment exists
Briha

varunik wrote:Same questions, is it tight enough?
It might move as you rest you cheek..

> Yes, Its tight enough & does not move when the rifle is fired.
> The reason being the rubber inside grips the stock reasonably well - also the spring action of the metal Tissue Holder ensures a firm hold.
Briha

mercury wrote:very neat Briha.......well done. not taking any thing away , but you could try to shape the pad to the contour of the stock as the next project.
btw that is one great looking/ finished wood you have there. hope the pad does not harm it.
regards and shoot safe.

> Thanks for noticing the finish of the stock
> It took me one whole week to sand & polish the wood + apply 3 coats of my own recipe of the oil and finally apply carnoba wax for the final finish.
> BTW if you notice the pistol grip it is slimmer & ergonomically contoured for a proper hold & easy sight alignment while aiming. I had to shave off some wood & use a rasp to give it the shape & finish.
Briha

xl_target wrote:Good Job Briha, just the thing for an airgun.
How firmly does it stay attached to the comb of the stock?

> Tks Pal for the appreciation
> Because of the rubber lining inside & the spring action of the metal Tisue Holder the fit is quite firm.
> Since fitting the Cheek Pad I have fired a little over 150 pellets, comprising of 14gr Mastershot, 16gr Magnashot & 18gr GSmith & there is hardly any shift in the position of the Cheek Pad.
> BTW with a little adjustment of the 'elevation screw' for the different weights of the pellets the grouping was a consistent 3/8" at 30ft.
Briha

icemanV wrote:Very Nice work.

I do not have an eye for such things.
I am assuming you saw a use for the tissue holder right away.
Ice.

> Yes you're right - The moment I saw the Tissue Holder the final Cheek Pad was in my mind
> Tks for your appreciation!
Briha

Dear Brihji,

First and the foremost, when the mind is seeking solutions to problems, it's is NOT empty. But I shall grant you this -> *your* mind is still a naughty devil's workshop! WHY ? After all, it was the Devil who taught the Man to employ and enjoy his senses. You teach us lessons in beautiful application of mind, art and perseverance. Refreshing and good to see such DIY arrows shoot off your quiver every now and then - gives us ordinary folks a chance or two to try our hands on such "joy-giving shapes".

Can I suggest lining inner portions with svelte/ suede or velvet to avoid abrasion on the polished stock in days to come ? After all, the rubber liner might get worn off due to heat along with slip-on/ -off of the cheek pad.

airgun_novice wrote:Dear Brihji,

First and the foremost, when the mind is seeking solutions to problems, it's is NOT empty. But I shall grant you this -> *your* mind is still a naughty devil's workshop! WHY ? After all, it was the Devil who taught the Man to employ and enjoy his senses. You teach us lessons in beautiful application of mind, art and perseverance. Refreshing and good to see such DIY arrows shoot off your quiver every now and then - gives us ordinary folks a chance or two to try our hands on such "joy-giving shapes".

Can I suggest lining inner portions with svelte/ suede or velvet to avoid abrasion on the polished stock in days to come ? After all, the rubber liner might get worn off due to heat along with slip-on/ -off of the cheek pad.

AGN
> Tks for your encomiums
> My Grandpa (May his soul rest in peace) taught me a few things the wisdom of which keep dawning on me even today
> He told me Son when you look - SEE, When you hear - Listen, When you speak - Mean what you say. He also inculcated in me the sensitivity to appreciate Shape / Form / Colour / Rythm / Harmony / Melody / Humour.........
and the humility to underscore one's achievements & keep learning.
> Now coming to your quiz about the inner lining of the Cheek Pad;
1. Suede / Velvet has slippage characteristics - not suitable
2. Hence I've used synthetic rubber whose minute pores have a 'vacuum' property that gives it grip on wood.
3. It is also resistant to heat & moisture.
4. It slips smoothly on to the stock & the rubber prevents scratches.
Cheers
Briha