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February 4, 2009
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So I spent the day trying to do some checkering on some grips- what a PITA this is.
This is a first attempt and obviously I don't know what I am doing. The wife comes in and says… why don't you try doing that on some junk wood? Naturally, I told her I need to be dealing with the same wood and shapes that I am using for this project. I tried to leave some diamond shapes around the screw holes but I don't have a feel for the tools yet and my lines got jacked at the bottom. It's fairly obvoius that leaving the diamond shape is a bit more advanced than my abilities at the present time.
This certainly is a tedious and time consuming process. But you know I had to try it on some Zebra wood anyway- gotta start somewhere. With a little practice, I might just be able to make it look good someday. Oh well, it was worth a try and I didn't have anything better to do today.
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Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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I prefer smooth grips personally, and I just don't have any trouble controlling a 1911 with smooth grips. I do prefer a matte finish rather than a high gloss. Zebrawood 1911 grips would be very sharp
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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January 24, 2009
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CDF, that looks pretty darn good fron here.
I saw checkering instruction article in a magazine once, it didn't look very easy at all. Yours look 10 times better than anything I could do, I'm sure.
December 17, 2008
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Nice work CDF!!
It looks to me like if you get the diamond thing figured out you're in bid'ness...
Although, I have to agree with SteveCT - those smooth grips are REALLY nice in your hand. But don't forget, these are Dan Wesson's we're dealing with...a smooth pair, zebra pair, checkered pair, flamed pair...suit your mood...yeah, that's the ticket...
Funny about the "scrap wood"...
February 4, 2009
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DT- as you noticed, I prefer the smooth grips myself.
Others prefer checkering and we gotta have something for everyone.
January 22, 2008
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I think that's great for someone just trying this! CDF when you started did you pencil the lines down or do you do it by eye? I think it would be pretty cool to give this a try!
I was doing some searching after reading your post and came up with the following book on how to checker if anyone is interested:
January 4, 2009
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I was reading in the latest issue of American Rifleman about those brothers that make Kentucky long rifles from scratch... man.... that does not interest me at all.. I've done just enough forge work , pounding hot metal on an anvil to realize I SUCK at it..
I just couldn't imagine anyone making a round bar... then poking a hole in it straight enough to shoot a bullet out of with ANY degree of accuracy...
And as far as carving goes....In scouts.. the scout master would give us a block of wood and say make something... the other guys would carve birds, totem poles.. etc..
I always wound up making mine into a pointy stick.. never got a merit badge for THAT one !!!
I've tried using a checkering tool CDF... GREAT job from here.. and your wife's advise would have been good advise for me... but you seem to have it down..
Nice going..
Wayne
February 4, 2009
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LOL- pointy stick. Thanks Wayne.
Jody,
I drew the master lines (beginning points) onto the grips and then laid an old piece of broken metal measuring tape on the lines. At that point, I made the first cut and then aligned everything to that cut. If you choose to try the checkering thing, make sure you allow 3-4 hours if you want to complete it in one sitting.
February 4, 2009
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And one more thought guys-
If you are interested in trying this, I would strongly recommend using a similar wood as you are working with. In other words, don't use pine and then try Cocobolo....it's a totally different ball game. If you are going to use hardwoods, learn on hardwoods.
I would, however, not make the mistake of learning on a project you wish to keep.
January 4, 2009
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If anyone needs a small quantity of some seasoned hard wood for a project.. let me know I have some spalted maple, 1" thick or a little of some other stuff , like oak, available to me..
W
February 4, 2009
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Wayne,
I wouldn't mind getting a little Spalted Maple from you. I could even trade you if you had a need for some exotic wood.
Chris
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