How to customize your 1911 grips

[Zane71464]

Carl, Thats some great looking wood working you do there.
I'm curious, would it be difficult to make grips for other type handguns?
After buying several over the past years, I always thought if I would ever take the time that it might be something to think about!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and great craftsmanship work!

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by Zane71464

Carl, Thats some great looking wood working you do there.
I'm curious, would it be difficult to make grips for other type handguns?
After buying several over the past years, I always thought if I would ever take the time that it might be something to think about!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and great craftsmanship work!

Hi Zane.

You ask about the difficulty of building grips for other guns. It greatly depends on the type gun you are referring to. If the grip panel is flat on the inside and you have a frame to fit to, then it is not difficult. On the other hand if there is a lot of inletting on the inside of the grip then usually special tools are required to do this type work, and having the gun in hand is a must.
You must have the time and interest to devote to a project like this, but the end result is very rewarding.
I know you have more questions, so I invite you to call me or email me, but a call would be better, that way I can get a feel for what it is that you are interested in. 228 255 0822. I am usually home full time except for running a few errands every now and then. If I am out just leave a message and I will get back to you. My work shop is attached to the house with a breezeway and I have a phone out there, that's where I am most of the time.
Thanks for your interest. Looking forward to working with you.
Carl

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by jestor

I 've helped build guitars out of lacewood before , the dust off it was extremely irritating to the skin to some of us but it made some real nice looking guitars.

Yes the Lace Wood is very nice and a pleasure to work with. I did not have any problems with irritating skin nor did I notice a nose burning smell. Usually if a wood is going to bother me I have a burning sensation in my nose. I would love to see some of your guitars if you have pictures. I can only imagine the beauty of them.
Thanks for looking.

[K1D_5150]

What would a set of oak or black walnut grips inlayed with something like a feather medallion run?

[TheGunClinger]

Originally Posted by hotsights

I have added a text file for you to view. The images show the really cool process for drilling perfect grip counter holes as taught to me by WoodNut AKA Carl Wallace.

How is the step drill modified? I want to try to make some grips for mine as I love woodworking but am not very good at it but it is as fun as re-loading. I was trying to figure how to make those holes. I was thinking a drill bit and a forstner bit but I now see the light. Just dont know how to modify that bit. Are they for sale?

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by TheGunClinger

How is the step drill modified? I want to try to make some grips for mine as I love woodworking but am not very good at it but it is as fun as re-loading. I was trying to figure how to make those holes. I was thinking a drill bit and a forstner bit but I now see the light. Just dont know how to modify that bit. Are they for sale?

No I don't sell the bits, but will alter one upon request.
TheGunClinger, I think we have discussed this by PM. I just wanted other readers to see my answer.
Thanks

[TROB]

Sweet! thanks for the pics

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by TROB

Sweet! thanks for the pics

Thanks TROB, maybe I could build you a set sometime. I really like the KOA.

I should have some more pictures of some African Rosewood soon. I think it will be pretty nice to look at also. Of coarse in my eyes, all wood is beautiful.
Keep checking the thread for more shots.

[Woodnut]

For those of you that have been following this thread. Take a look at the new sticky at the top of the forum. This thread will explain in more detail as to how the grips are made.
Thanks for looking.

[Woodnut]

To all my fateful views.
After a lot of thought, I would like to keep the Sticky: mainly for a tutorial type thread. I will answer all the how to questions in the Sticky:. You may ask your questions on how do you do this step or whatever here, then I will quote it and post it in the Sticky:
Thanks to all viewers.

[Woodnut]

I still need help with a name for the new Texture of mine.

So far I have suggestions of,

Gatorback
Cracked Earth
Pebbles
Pebble Rock
Armadillo
Wallyrock--------just now thought of this, since my last name is Wallace.

I would like to have a few more suggestions before I decide, I may even take a 5 day poll with a few of the names.
Thanks for you suggestions.
Picture of texture is below.

[hotsights]

Wally-AKA-Wallace,

That new texture is very nice, different and easy to look at like eye Candy. A name, "Wood Rock," comes to mind as it looks like rock and its created from wood.

Also, it reminds me of chopped peanuts so, "Wood Nut," comes to mind. The grip is really, very nice, who wouldn't be proud to have that set on their 1911. The design reminds me of BatMan, very cool. So, from where do all these unique ideas come from? Do you go sit on a mountain top and wait for a revelation?

Outstanding work, the market is going to like this, betcha, Betcha!

[pkcgbifaid]

Thanks for posting the pics of these latest grips on a gun... I really like them.

Out of the choices you have listed, I probably like cracked earth the best, but gatorback is right up there.

Your cracked earth name made me think about Badlands National Park... so maybe you could call the pattern Badlands.

[hotsights]

pkcgbifaid,

You have a beautiful way of describing your thought about a name. Very nice picture and it does remind me of Woodnut's new tecture.

[JLA]

I just thought of another one for them carl, "scorched earth" like in the desert when a watering hole dries up and the ground cracks from the intense heat. Kinda goes alongn with the same thought as cracked earth...

[Woodnut]

Thanks JLA for the suggestion on the name. I would like to have 8 to 10 names to pick from, then I will pick 4 and do a poll.

Check out the Sticky: Building Step by Step to see another tool that I use very often.

Thanks for looking.

[Woodnut]

Well I almost have the names for the poll. Thought I would get more suggestions than I did, but I have enough to run with it.

I did some more of the Texture today on a set of Camphor Burl that I had in stock. The Camphor has an orange peel look that I think is neat, I could fill it with a finish but it looks nice as is, for now anyway. This is my design also. Let me know what you think. I hope to post some more tools soon, if I ever get time to build them.
Thanks for looking.
Carl

[Woodnut]

The poll is now open for you to vote on the new name for the texture.

[hotsights]

Although I like the name "Wood Rock," now it seems like everytime I look at the new tecture, I get thirsty. So, JLA's "Scorched Earth," gets my vote.

[Woodnut]

Here's a couple of new ideas I have been toying with for some time now. Please tell me your thoughts on these.

The Display Stand pictured is made out of Red Cedar, it has cushions on the bottom to prevent table top scratches. The upright part slips into the empty magazine opening and supports the gun in an upright position.

The Grip Screws are SS with 24ct. pure gold plating with 12 lines engraved on each screw.
Thanks for looking.

[hotsights]

Carl,

How Clever and beautiful, every time you come down from that mountain, you always bring such unique ideas with you, guess I’m getting the real meaning of "DesignsByCarl." I suppose, if you have done it all, then its appropriate that you’re the one to come up or down, with something new.

The pistol pedestal is just perfect, shows off the weapon with an action look without taking up a lot of room and I think dealers will knock down your front door over those. As I individual, I could use a couple to show off my grips and then the grip screws, I’m running out of breath. They are a handsome enhancement and I’m impressed that the lines in the Hex head extend into the center whole, unless that is a reflection? Either way, I’d say you will be doing a lot of shipping.

Do the Hex Grip Screws come in stainless also and do you have any pricing or are you just looking for feed back right now?

Exciting, creative and beautiful, yea, I for one am interested in both. Actually, when you add the grips, I’m interested in all three, have you decided on a texture name yet?

[Woodnut]

Originally Posted by hotsights

Carl,

Do the Hex Grip Screws come in stainless also and do you have any pricing or are you just looking for feed back right now?

Exciting, creative and beautiful, yea, I for one am interested in both. Actually, when you add the grips, I’m interested in all three, have you decided on a texture name yet?

I do have the grip screws in SS and SS plated and SS plated and engraved. There will be 3 prices,and each set will come with an allen wrench. I just got the screws yesterday so I haven't figured up the prices yet. I will do that after the gun and knife show and put them on my web site. I might add that yes, the lines go all the way to the outer edge of the screws.

The poll for the texture name will run through Sunday, I will use whatever name wins, so we will see.
Later
Carl

[Woodnut]

Here is a couple pictures of some grips that were very hard to make because of the amount of work that had to be done on the inside of the panels. They are for a Baretta 88-BI 32 Cal., a gun that was made in the 70's or 80's. The customer was really ecstatic about them, and the fit was perfect although I only had the original grips to go by. Guess I got lucky. His choice of wood was Buckeye Burl.

Pictures of the grips before I mailed them. Then pictures that the customer sent me with the grips on the gun. They really look better on the gun than off.
Enjoy

[hotsights]

Carl,

Just saw the forums notification regarding this post and here I am. I know there are pics of the customer’s grips on the weapon, but I’m commenting on the first images I see which are your pics of the grips. First, the Buckeye Burl is a beautiful wood. Second, I know there is no such thing as Buckeye Burl Mother Of Pearl but that is how they look to me, very, very nice. Lot of work to make these babies, I can tell by just these pics, and there appear to be more curves and the thickness seems to vary.

What size drill bit was required for the grip holes?

Whoa! They are so beautiful on the weapon, no wonder the customer was so pleased. The graceful curves and perfect distance from grip edge to metal edge all around appears perfect! The mother of pearl effect at least for me, is still very radiant and dimensional on the weapon which is a beauty within herself. Just exceptional craftsmanship. Thanks for showing the work Carl.

[Woodnut]

Hotsights:


Thanks for the comments, they are always appreciated. You ask about the holes in the grips. They are smaller than the 1911 so I could not use the altered step bit. I had to use a regular bit, I forgot the size, then used a 5/16 router bit for the counter bore. the screw heads were different, they were real thin, and the screw was real tiny. Took some doing, but I made it. I was really worried about the fit, until he called and said they were perfect, what a relief.

My thanks goes out to 45Smashemflat, for his new thread Steel, Ivory and Leather, for all the testimony on my grips. These are Ivory grips that I made for him. He really had a hard time finding the Dimes, They are dated 1911.

Carl