Another Set Of Grips

[Jerry Murray]

Those grips look fantastic! These have been on my list for some time for my Kimber. Did you turn the round shape or get it some other way?

Regarding combat usefulness, would applying finish at a lower grit than usual on the sanding spectrum, say 120 or even 80, give a "grippiness" similar to grip tape?

Mark, I'll tell you how I do these. The MOST important thing is to get the hole pattern correct...I mean down to a 64th. Not easy and I have plenty of scrapped pieces to show for it. I outline with my band saw and with a 'correct' template I rout the edges and use my belt sander to get the correct outline shape. After that it's all belt sander for shaping, and drill press for holes, and the dremel for inletting.

I couldn't say about the lower grit I haven';t tried that.

[Jack Camillo]

Those grips look fantastic! These have been on my list for some time for my Kimber. Did you turn the round shape or get it some other way?

Regarding combat usefulness, would applying finish at a lower grit than usual on the sanding spectrum, say 120 or even 80, give a "grippiness" similar to grip tape?

Mark,
I'd say at those grits, it'll be hard not showing big scratches.

[Mark Kosmowski]

Mark, I'll tell you how I do these. The MOST important thing is to get the hole pattern correct...I mean down to a 64th. Not easy and I have plenty of scrapped pieces to show for it. I outline with my band saw and with a 'correct' template I rout the edges and use my belt sander to get the correct outline shape. After that it's all belt sander for shaping, and drill press for holes, and the dremel for inletting.

I couldn't say about the lower grit I haven';t tried that.

Hmmm... I wonder if a hand plane would work for the shaping - I don't have a belt sander. Wait, I do, the belt / spindle sander by Ridgid, just not a handheld belt sander. Guess I'll start with the plane - give me an excuse to practice.

Mark,
I'd say at those grits, it'll be hard not showing big scratches.

You might be on to something there. I'm still pretty new to this woodworking thing. Thanks for pointing out the possible issue. If I try this myself I'll use some easily replacable wood, maybe some of my free maple stash.

Thanks for both answers!

[John Thompson]

Hey, Sarge, I know a woodworker that makes grips

I know a wood-worker also.. but in 38 years he has never made a set of grips or a rifle-shotgun stock. I have altered the lenght on my Remington 870 pump to get to my shoulder quicker.. but never built a stock from scratch

Funny.. after my dad died in 1959 I would purchase British Lee En-field .303's from Sear & Roebuck for $12.95. War surplus and re-packed in cosmoline. I would clean them up.. take the old blue off and re-blue all the metal pieces and then cut the fore stock (walnut stocks on a military issue weapon.. things have changed) down to the lenght of a hunting rifle. There was a trading post in town that dealt with about everything including used hunting rifles.

He would purchase all I could get from me for $35 each. About a $15 profit which was considerable to a 13 year old in 1960 when I had to contribute to family with no working dad. I loved handling those military rifles then and I suppose my love of guns carried over to latter years.

Maybe it's time to change that WW's status on no hand gun grips in the near future. Just finishing up a desk-hutch and it's getting hot in Georgia. I usually piddle in July and August until the cooler breezes of autumn start rolling in.

Regards...

Sarge..