Post by kings6 on Sept 11, 2024 22:49:41 GMT -5
This client wanted to use a piece of Texas desert Ironwood for his grips so he sent a piece and while there were some checks, we thought we would be able to work around those spots. Once I started shaping the first blank I immediately ran into issues. First a nice knot hole appeared as the panel was being shaped. Okay, I can fill that and still make it look nice. Next, I am holding the panel in my hand while carefully working the panel down to match the grip frame when suddenly I felt something extra in my hand. I looked down and the entire toe of the panel split off into two small pieces along a unseen fissure line! DANG It! Grab another piece of his ironwood, get it milled flat and fit on the upper end and just as I was ready to set the grip locator pin location, I looked closely and darned if there wasn't a nearly invisible fracture line in this panel as well.
About that time I decided a phone call to the client was in order. I explained what had happened and that I had even started s replacement panel but I was afraid that even if I could get the panels made, they may well disintegrate during shooting from the stress of recoil. He asked what alternative materials I might suggest so I sent him pictures of three different pieces of figured French walnut and he chose a new set of panels. Since a few days had already been spent on the first set of grips I went right to work on the new material and this is what they look like once they were finally fit and sanded. The gun is a custom Vaquero that Hamilton is doing the work on so I wanted to make sure we ended up with an end result to match the quality of the gun build. We will have so see how the grips finish out but at least the client is happy with his new lemonade grips instead of the lemon ironwood material.
About that time I decided a phone call to the client was in order. I explained what had happened and that I had even started s replacement panel but I was afraid that even if I could get the panels made, they may well disintegrate during shooting from the stress of recoil. He asked what alternative materials I might suggest so I sent him pictures of three different pieces of figured French walnut and he chose a new set of panels. Since a few days had already been spent on the first set of grips I went right to work on the new material and this is what they look like once they were finally fit and sanded. The gun is a custom Vaquero that Hamilton is doing the work on so I wanted to make sure we ended up with an end result to match the quality of the gun build. We will have so see how the grips finish out but at least the client is happy with his new lemonade grips instead of the lemon ironwood material.
