Pistol Grips?

[Burl Source]

Is anyone using their carvewright to carve pistol grips?

I was curious if there are any patterns available for purchase?
Maybe someone has some hints, tips or tricks to share.

I have been requested by a local gun shop to make model 1911 grips from burl and figured woods. I could make them by hand but figured the machine would be a much more cost effective way to go.

This photo shows the grips I will be attempting to duplicate and an example piece ot the wood that will be used. The grips will have a domed outer surface and the underside or backs will require some cutting of grooves and hollowed areas. The wood I will be using will be slightly larger than the actual finished grips.



I have the carvewright with the scanning probe. I am just unpacking and getting everything set up so bear in mind you are talking to someone with 0 experience using the machine so far. Up until now my time has been spent reading the manual and viewing the video and tutorials on the website.

Any help, direction or advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Mark

[Kenm810]

Take a look at this thread of posts -- it might give you a place to start

File conversion request

[PCW]

Welcome to the forum.

Just practice on scrap wood till you get the pattern tweaked. I would hate to see you turn a piece of exotic wood into scrap The reason I have never attempted to post a pattern is because most all the time the slabs need to be hand fitted to the handgun.

[Burl Source]

Thank You both for your response.
I read the thread you mentioned and downloaded a pattern in one of the threads I found with both grips. I must have done something wrong because when I carved them it came out at about 80% the size they should have been. I think I need to spend more time in T&T before I go much further.
I'll watch for other posts and when I finally get everything figured out I will post some photos.
Thanks, Mark

[Kenm810]

Mark,

If you do a Forum Search like " Pistol Grips" you see a few more threads and post on Grips

1911A1 Pistol Grips

[Burl Source]

When I go to the pattern editor the scan looks good as far as detail goes. The logo and checkering are prominent and clear.
When I go to designer and load as a pattern the dimensions read 7.15 instead of what should be about 9.5.
The detail looks muddy here.

Apparently I am doing something wrong when downloading and saving the scan.
Any ideas?

When I go to download the scan from the card it says the image size is 2.12 x 9.64
When it is downloaded in PE it reads 1.414 x 7.156
If I attempt to resize with the proportions ratio locked the new figures don't match up. Example entering 2.12 in the first field results in about 10.6 in the second field.

Thanks,
Mark

[AskBud]

When I go to the pattern editor the scan looks good as far as detail goes. The logo and checkering are prominent and clear.
When I go to designer and load as a pattern the dimensions read 7.15 instead of what should be about 9.5.
The detail looks muddy here.

Apparently I am doing something wrong when downloading and saving the scan.
Any ideas?

When I go to download the scan from the card it says the image size is 2.12 x 9.64
When it is downloaded in PE it reads 1.414 x 7.156
If I attempt to resize with the proportions ratio locked the new figures don't match up. Example entering 2.12 in the first field results in about 10.6 in the second field.

Thanks,
Mark

Mark,
Try this:
Take a good look at your pattern, on the design. Something touches each side of the rectangle. Note these points and measure your model and make new measurements (just to clarify your measurement process). Laying it on graph paper might be a good way to get the same perspective.

Draw a rectangle the width & length of your grip, using these new measurements (just to have a good target).
Change one dimension to be correct, and turn off the feather (If it's there).
Note: Before you do this last step, below, magnify your design window as much as possible so you can be more finite.
Now, Drag the "yellow" dots on the other dimension, until it is correct.
AskBud

[Burl Source]

Carving was a big time failure.
1st The carved grips came out to about 80% actual size.
2nd Even prominent details did not carve. Example; round logo in center.
3rd Strange carved area in lower right center area.



I scanned and carved at best setting. When scanning the grips were held secure and I was unable to rock or move them under pressure. The material being scanned has a hard surface. When I downloaded the scan I saved a copy as a pattern which I loaded on a board that was about 8" longer than indicated in Designer. My only action was to center on board. Then I uploaded to card for carving. When prompted by the machine I did not select anything that would indicate scale change.

I am at a total loss as to what I did wrong.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark

[Burl Source]

I spent a good bit of time reading the different tutorials and whatever other info I could find. In order to make an exact duplication looks like I need to scan the grips I have. Built a quick scanning sled and scanned the grips.



Next I made a carving sled to hold the pieces I will be carving for grips. Since the pieces I will be carving are small pieces I needed a way to hold them in place to carve. I used a 3/4" board and then cut some wood the same thickness as the pieces I am going to carve. Everything is held in place with double side tape.



Just to be extra careful I taped the edges of the pieces I am going to carve to prevent a piece from breaking loose.



Now it's time to start carving to see if this is going to work.

[Burl Source]

I went to the threads that related to pistol grips. There I found a download labeled (GunGrips1ptn.)
When I loaded the pattern on my machine and carved them they were not the correct size.

My guess is that I did something wrong when the machine gave it's prompts. The board I used was plenty large to allow for extra 4" each end.