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Post by marlin35 on May 25, 2023 5:10:10 GMT -5
Hello all, newcomer here.
Yesterday I installed a super blackhawk hammer on my Blackhawk .45 colt and while I had it apart, I decided the time was right to swap the aluminum grip frame with the steel one on my vaquero. The ears are proud on the steel grip frame with my Blackhawk, and I’m wondering what kind of file I need to get to do the fitting work. Also, any tips for scribing the lines would be greatly appreciated. I took a picture of what contour I need to be pursuing from another thread about Mr. Wells’ grips frames. Thank you in advance to any and all who respond!
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,538
Member is Online
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Post by gnappi on May 25, 2023 5:20:17 GMT -5
Hi and welcome! I have a few Ruger BH and SBH and knew they had aluminum frames on some .22's and .357's but I had no idea Ruger used aluminum frames on larger bores, live and learn... thanks for the heads up. This is the place for answers.
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Post by Encore64 on May 25, 2023 5:27:11 GMT -5
Most of the Blackhawk Plowhandle Revolvers 30 Carbine through 45 Colt have aluminum gripframes. More specifically, the blued models.
I've always wanted Ruger to build factory Bisleys with an aluminum gripframe...
Any small fine file will work for your endeavor. I finish up with a Lady's Nail Buffer. They cone with seven grit surfaces, so you can match nearly any surface.
They're also perfect for repairing scuff marks on brush finished stainless guns.
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Post by marlin35 on May 25, 2023 5:27:32 GMT -5
Hi and welcome! I have a few Ruger BH and SBH and knew they had aluminum frames on some .22's and .357's but I had no idea Ruger used aluminum frames on larger bores, live and learn... thanks for the heads up. This is the place for answers. I believe the super blackhawks have steel grip frames, but to my knowledge all blued Blackhawks have alloy or aluminum grip frames and have since Elmer Keith was sent his first one from Mr. Bill himself. Looking forward to learning from some of the guys in here!
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Post by 45MAN on May 25, 2023 5:30:35 GMT -5
THE BLUE RUGER BUCKEYE 32-20/32 MAG CAME WITH A STEEL G/F, I THEN ADDED A STEEL ERH TO IT, A HEFTY bugger.
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Post by marlin35 on May 25, 2023 5:30:44 GMT -5
Most of the Blackhawk Plowhandle Revolvers 30 Carbine through 45 Colt have aluminum gripframes. More specifically, the blued models. I've always wanted Ruger to build factory Bisleys with an aluminum gripframe... Any small fine file will work for your endeavor. I finish up with a Lady's Nail Buffer. They cone with seven grit surfaces, so you can match nearly any surface. They're also perfect for repairing scuff marks on brush finished stainless guns. I was wondering about the lady’s nail files but didn’t know how they would do on steel, I don’t have very much material to remove and definitely don’t need anything more aggressive than the grit on a nail file, but I’m assuming I need to do the initial shaping with something more suited to my material?
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Post by bigbore5 on May 25, 2023 6:04:23 GMT -5
The nail files use emory as the media. It's much harder than the aluminum oxide found on many sandpapers. It cuts faster and lasts longer, especially if you wet it. I use 99 parts water to one part dawn dish soap with wet sandpaper. I don't know how the nail files do on wet sanding.
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tj3006
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,058
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Post by tj3006 on May 25, 2023 7:13:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip on nail files. I will be going to the dollar store soon. I have bought several colors of nail polish for my front sights already. A few nail files will convince them I do drag show's on the side. Now i just need a purse to carry it all in !...tj
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Post by bradshaw on May 25, 2023 7:15:18 GMT -5
Hello all, newcomer here. Yesterday I installed a super blackhawk hammer on my Blackhawk .45 colt and while I had it apart, I decided the time was right to swap the aluminum grip frame with the steel one on my vaquero. The ears are proud on the steel grip frame with my Blackhawk, and I’m wondering what kind of file I need to get to do the fitting work. Also, any tips for scribing the lines would be greatly appreciated. I took a picture of what contour I need to be pursuing from another thread about Mr. Wells’ grips frames. Thank you in advance to any and all who respond! ***** My practice: do not file, grind, or sand a grip frame attached to the frame. To work on grip frame while it is attached risks scratching the frame.With grip frame attached, I use a fine-point marker to blend the arc from frame to grip frame. Best to clamp grip frame in vise for file work. Two layers of masking (drafting) tape help protect the backstrap or other areas which shouldn’t be scratched. I generally strip the frame of lockwork for fit-up. The more aggressive the file work, the more smoothing with sandpaper or crocus cloth is required. I use wet/dry paper, rinsed constantly; this makes the paper last much longer, controls grot dispersion, and smoothes abrasive action. For anyone getting acquainted with Ruger New Model transfer bar lockwork, the RWGF 3rd Hand greatly eases disassembly & reassembly. For veterans of the New Model takedown, the RWGF 3rd Hand offers huge convenience and should be a part of the traveling tool kit. PATIENCE governs fit-up. Eccentric screw headsDuring a discussion some years ago with John Linebaugh, I described the vexing problem trying to keep a Ruger grip frame flush with the frame as the five grip frame screws are tightened, since it is common to find a screw head eccentric to the the threaded post. John, of course, knew exactly what I was talking about. He made a fixture for truing the Ruger screw heads. When discussions got to grip frames Ronnie Wells was making, I told John that Ronnie accounts for screw eccentricity while boring the mount holes in his grip frames. If someone is looking for Ronnie Wells, don’t look at the problem, look in front of it, because that is where Ronnie is to be found. It’s Ronnie who made me aware of the precision and consistency with which Bill Ruger established the two planes and five holes on his frames which allow a Ronnie Wells grip frame to mate & screw so perfectly to the Ruger frame. Finish governs final exterior dimensionThe exterior of a grip frame must be final-finished to the frame, as polishing during manufacture results in variances from revolver to revolver. David Bradshaw
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,154
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Post by edk on May 25, 2023 20:13:41 GMT -5
Ladies nail files and emory boards are being discussed as though they are the same thing. I can see the Emory boards working well after beginning with machinists and/or Swiss-style precision files. I don’t know that steel ladies nail files are up to the task.
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Post by bigbore5 on May 25, 2023 20:45:21 GMT -5
I think they meant the Emory boards. I didn't know there was a difference until I got married and had to deal with two girls.
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Post by Encore64 on May 26, 2023 4:41:43 GMT -5
Yes, the nail buffers are basically 1/2" square Emory Boards but have seven different grits from fine to aggressive.
A grip maker originally turned me onto them. He used then on Stag Grip Panels and said they worked perfectly. My experience is he was correct.
Of course, they won't remove much steel. A fine file or set of Needle Files from Harbour Freight is an inexpensive way to get close...
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Post by potatojudge on May 26, 2023 8:10:40 GMT -5
Hello all, newcomer here. Yesterday I installed a super blackhawk hammer on my Blackhawk .45 colt and while I had it apart, I decided the time was right to swap the aluminum grip frame with the steel one on my vaquero. The ears are proud on the steel grip frame with my Blackhawk, and I’m wondering what kind of file I need to get to do the fitting work. Also, any tips for scribing the lines would be greatly appreciated. I took a picture of what contour I need to be pursuing from another thread about Mr. Wells’ grips frames. Thank you in advance to any and all who respond! ***** My practice: do not file, grind, or sand a grip frame attached to the frame. To work on grip frame while it is attached risks scratching the frame.With grip frame attached, I use a fine-point marker to blend the arc from frame to grip frame. Best to clamp grip frame in vise for file work. Two layers of masking (drafting) tape help protect the backstop or other areas which shouldn’t be scratched. I generally strip the frame of lockwork for fit-up. The more aggressive the file work, the more smoothing with sandpaper or crocus cloth is required. I use wet/dry paper, rinsed constantly; this makes the paper last much longer, controls grot dispersion, and smoothes abrasive action. For anyone getting acquainted with Ruger New Model transfer bar lockwork, the RWGF 3rd Hand greatly eases disassembly & reassembly. For veterans of the New Model takedown, the RWGF 3rd Hand offers huge convenience and should be a part of the traveling tool kit. PATIENCE governs fit-up. Eccentric screw headsDuring a discussion some years ago with John Linebaugh, I described the vexing problem trying to keep a Ruger grip frame flush with the frame as the five grip frame screws are tightened, since it is common to find a screw head eccentric to the the threaded post. John, of course, knew exactly what I was talking about. He made a fixture for truing the Ruger screw heads. When discussions got to grip frames Ronnie Wells was making, I told John the Ronnie accounted for screw eccentricity while boring the mount holes in his grip frames. If someone is looking for Ronnie Wells, don’t look at the problem, look in front of it, because that is where Ronnie is to be found. It’s Ronnie who made me aware of the precision and consistency with which Bill Ruger established the two planes and five holes on his frames which allow a Ronnie Wells grip frame to mate & screw so perfectly to the Ruger frame. Finish governs final exterior dimensionThe exterior of a grip frame must be final-finished to the frame, as polishing during manufacture results in variances from revolver to revolver. David Bradshaw Eccentric screw heads explains so much and never crossed my mind.
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Post by Gunny268 on May 26, 2023 12:49:51 GMT -5
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Odin
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,034
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Post by Odin on May 26, 2023 13:09:39 GMT -5
Thanks for this, Gunny. At some point here I'm going to pick up one of Ronnie Wells' grip frames. I've never had any terribly nice files and it would be good to have something better-than-average for the fitting.
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