I took a look at Larry Potterfield's video, but really, most of us was taught to do layout for checkering differently. Now, what he mentions about margins is all right, (the space left around the checkering pattern), but the way I do layout is different. I measure for the center line, and draw it with a grease pencil, and not a marker, as that can stain the finish, even if you wipe it off, and sometimes it does not come off completely. You can get grease pencils, or china marking pencils off eBay, and other places fairly cheap, and I would use either yellow or white so it will stand out on dark wood. Next, to start, you are better off using a pattern, which is available from Brownell's, if you are not sure you can lay out a matching pattern on both sides. To use these, you cut them out, align them to a center line, and use a pounce wheel, or even carbon paper to transfer the outline, and the starting X for the diamonds. If you want to go freehand, buy a plastic diamond template from Dem-Bart to get the correct angle. Last, most gun companies on regular stocks use 18 lines per inch. Narrower lines are generally used on high grade guns, and take much longer to cut. First, though, I would read that book.
