I think your asking if stockmaking is worth focusing on? If thats what your asking I would say yes if you are already anexperienced wood worker. I played around making wood crafts before going to gun school, which is why I think I liked that part the best. It would also be best to have a general understanding of gunsmithing. Everything is related somewhere along the process. If a gun is breaking or cracking stocks, theres a problem that needs to beaddressed before restocking.You have to know why it broke to make sure it is not repeted again. Idont think you need to become a metal expert butbasic bench metal is a must. Knowing how to sharpen and maintain cutting tools such as your gouges and scrapers will be needed in Stockmaking.

Seriously think about those two week short courses. The do offer stockmaking at most schools.

Do you turkey hunt? Making turkey calls is a little cheaper then working on guns? Just an idea....

Oh yea, Wood is cheaper then metal when you mess up also.