How about some pictures of your custom grips...

swolf · November-02-13 17:11

Been out of town at a conference. Nastruck; I mark the hole area with my old grips as a guide. The clay is easy to carve, so after the grips are complete I take an X-Acto and trim out the place for the nut part and screw head. Starting the recessed areas with a drill bit by hand gives a cleaner finish. I wouldn't go through the trouble of trying to inset the nut part while the clay is soft. ALSO--I'm no expert and I've only done a couple grips. I've done more jewelry/artsy sculpting than anything. I picked up most of my polymer clay working tips online from jewelry and doll-making websites. Those guys (mostly very creative women actually) have plenty of useful tips that translate to grip and knife handle making. I've wanted to make matching knife and gun scales, so hopefully YOU will now discover some good tips n tricks to help ME!

pietro · November-07-13 19:11

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I made these from some Jade pieces a friend gave me.

Jade, being a natural stone, differs in color & grain, from piece to piece.

Since I had a small batch to choose from, I selected two pieces each of a brown (tone) and a green (tone) that were as much alike as my supply allowed.

Goatpacker · November-07-13 20:11

Those jades are sweet!!! Stone is a tough material to deal with!!! Nice!!!

Magic · November-07-13 22:11

those are very nice! nice work!

nastruck · November-08-13 05:11

Thanks for all your replies swolf the clay is still in it's wrapper atop the packet of tools. I will be sure to let you know how this works out. It may not seem so but I am excited to try it.
pietro them is some fancy dancy grips. Can't imagine how hard they were to make....

OV-1D · November-08-13 11:11

Quote from: pietro on November-07-13 19:11
.

I made these from some Jade pieces a friend gave me.

Jade, being a natural stone, differs in color & grain, from piece to piece.

Since I had a small batch to choose from, I selected two pieces each of a brown (tone) and a green (tone) that were as much alike as my supply allowed.

That's some very tough material to work with alright now all that's left is polishing them which is the other tough part .

heyjoe · November-08-13 20:11

very very nice ov

OV-1D · November-09-13 04:11

Those are Pietros pieces HeyJoe I was just quoting on his post how hard it is to cut and polish stones , thanks anyhow .

heyjoe · November-09-13 16:11

oops! very very niced Pietro!

I · November-09-13 17:11

I keep staring at the stone grips. That material is so unforgiving... wow.

Jade to boot... man.

OV-1D · November-30-13 14:11

45Flint your grips are superb of course but I found these on GunBroker by Spressers knife works (Charles) and I wish someone would buy them because I'm kinda broke and the flesh is strong but my mind is weak very weak some would say , please anybody take this temptation away and save my soul . Just bought a set but I WANT MORE , MORE and MORE WOOOHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!! Simple beauty is hard to resist , your next 45Flint with those gorgeous boot grips .

pietro · December-02-13 17:12

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Thanks for the kind words, all - The jade grips went with the .22LR & .22Short Mini's I sold here to another NAA board member a while ago.

For those who may be interested, here's how I made them, before I attached them to the gripframes with epoxy (which can be melted to remove the grips w/o damaging the frames or the grip panel - jade - material):

I first traced the gripfame outline ontthe flat/rear surface of the polished Jade medallions ( from necktie slides)

I then used the corner of a grinding wheel to remove the excess Jade, down to the scribed outline, using light but repeated strokes.
When the jade got too hot to hold, I just let it cool while I ground another grip panel, then went back to each, etc, until all were contoured.

I no longer seem to have the pic of doing the face sides - but it's a simple matter to use the smooth face of the bench grinder wheel to carefully taper the flat/90-degree face left around the edges after the contour grinding. so that the outer surface of the Jade had no sharp corners to dig into the firing hand.

BTW - be sure to wear eye protection while grinding, since it's fairly easy to pepper an eyeball with some of the Jade detrius slung by the grinding wheel.

.

bud · December-03-13 08:12

You have talent!!

I could really mess that up!

heyjoe · December-03-13 10:12

you and me both Bud. im good at breaking not making.

nastruck · December-05-13 13:12

My first set of polymer clay grips. The screw holes are not finished but I can't use them anyway because they are much to thick. Will try again.
Thanks to wolf and someone else that told me about putting the clay in the freezer if it comes to soft. Sorry but I can't remember who that was.
I keep going back and looking at the ones on the BW. Beautiful work!!!!

nastruck · December-05-13 13:12

So I attempted my hand at a set of wood grips. I used a hand held router to remover a place for the frame to set. They are not finished because I'm not sure what finish to use on Teak, epoxy did not stick to it so who knows what might. No laughing or snickering please! I'm pretty good at larger things but tiny stuff like these grips are not my best game....

Uncle_Lee · December-05-13 14:12

Pietro,
Those grips are nothing but beautiful.
Different and nice.

ikoiko · December-05-13 18:12

Not that my opinion matters, but I agree with Uncle Lee.
Nice grips. A picture showing the "whole package" would be nice.

Goatpacker · December-06-13 07:12

Those are very nice grips!!! I would just use a hand rubbed oil finish or leave them the way they are, they will slick up on there own with time!!!

nastruck · December-26-13 05:12

Gloriously displayed on the short my second set of polymer clay grips. Much better then the first pair by still needs refining. (Yes, I know that they do not compare to those others shown here I'm just having fun doing them)

. I found the mounting hardware at Sears, it was the smallest I could fine....

Uncle_Lee · December-26-13 07:12

I like your grips and your mounting hardware.
The big screw head makes the mini appear even smaller than it is.

MadDogStafford · December-26-13 07:12

I like your set up on the mounting hardware. Very neat idea there!

OV-1D · January-04-14 16:01

Well here I go getting out of the chicken coop to start these elephant ivory boots plus a whole lot more to start after these . Wish me good fortune , so far so good .

Have five scales of exotic woods to do also I'll be busy thru summer at my rate .

Heres what so far , still finishing with these ivories .

Woops how she get in there ?

MadDogStafford · January-05-14 21:01

OV-1D, those are all going to look very nice.

Keep us in the loop on this!!!!

45flint · January-06-14 01:01

Cool, go for it!

nastruck · January-07-14 06:01

Hey OV do you have a CNC machine or do you use a hand held router?

OV-1D · January-07-14 12:01

Quote from: nastruck on January-07-14 06:01
Hey OV do you have a CNC machine or do you use a hand held router?

No CNC Nastruck wish I had one , I use a 12 by 12 piece of wood for jig with small pieces of wood to hold in place(tight) and use a Dremel router set up (they don't make anymore dang it , it's the best tool I've ever bought) and gently make my way . Works great (first time using a jig usually freehand it) . I do save the dust just in case of needing it for something down the road and being elephant ivory goes for more that gold it seems , I'll eat it before I throw it away .

Smells pretty good .

nastruck · January-10-14 06:01

Quote from: nastruck on December-26-13 05:12
Gloriously displayed on the short my second set of polymer clay grips. Much better then the first pair by still needs refining. (Yes, I know that they do not compare to those others shown here I'm just having fun doing them) . I found the mounting hardware at Sears, it was the smallest I could fine....

Quote from: uncle_lee on December-26-13 07:12
I like your grips and your mounting hardware.
The big screw head makes the mini appear even smaller than it is.

Thanks guys! Sorry but did not see these comments before....

nastruck · January-10-14 06:01

Quote from: nastruck on January-07-14 06:01
Hey OV do you have a CNC machine or do you use a hand held router?

I use a small hand held router but need to take the time to build a jig. I want to try another wooden set but I work outside and it's just to $%&@^% cold here now. Hurry Spring!!!!

nastruck · January-10-14 06:01

Not sure I'm using the insert thing right. Dumb as a bag of bolts sometimes.... LOL

OV-1D · January-10-14 10:01

Take your time Nastruck spring is a good distance away . Ha . I haven't even touched what I've started because I'm too busy with work right now , that's why I have a hard time starting anything because sure as shi* work will pick way up when God sees I'm sitting too long . Love my work though I'm kinda a problem solver with almost every hand tool in existence in the truck or shed . Life is good just wish for some more down time for playing . With your home made jig make sure you wedge your pieces down EXTRA TIGHT , I used my finish nailer and nailed the pieces down putting the nails at about a 45 degree angle holds great , you can cut (router) into the pieces of wood holding your piece but make sure not too much as to loosen your product . Wear eye protection of course I'm bad at that not wearing just because I'm in a hurry , lucky so far . Before I finish any given set I'm looking and thinking of the next sets , bad idea though it slows the first complete piece down from being finished.

OV-1D · January-19-14 15:01

While not having any patience I bought these from Spresser , I have a problem with them to the point I might send them back . Need some input on just how they look because I love them BUT theres that problem and for the money perfection is one of my guiding factors on keeping them . I'll tell you guys later about the problem so not to influence your opinions , I think I can fix it because sending them back can't do any better than I can fix . So what it you fellas think ? Thanks .

PaducahMichael · January-19-14 20:01

I think they look great on the Hogleg. Really like the color and they have nice pattern on them, too. If it's a fit problem you can probably make them work...

OV-1D · January-20-14 03:01

Thanks Mike I was looking for a popular vote to see whether to send them back because the interior side wasn't sanded down enough so the marrow of the antler on bottom edge is showing 3/32 deep and is able to flake off (chip) if handled enough . I've been advised to fill with super glue or some poly product I'm just torn between having to fix them (the price) or send them back but the bark face is beautiful and one of a kind . P.S. can't sand them anymore due to angle cut on grip which will lose the edge that lays on the frame . Well thats two votes for keeping them anyhow .

nastruck · January-20-14 06:01

OV they are super looking grips but only you will know if your will be satisfied if you keep them.
They sure is pretty thou!!!!