Hello all,
A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
them.
They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
dissolving.
Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
for this?
Wed, Jan 31, 2007, 5:52am (EST-1) [email protected]
(Prometheus) doth query:
<snip> What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use for this?
Plastic grips.
Well, the last grips I made, for me, I am sure I brushed on poly.
Nowadays I'd use water-base poly. However, they were not fancy wood, in
fact molded from wood dough for a custom fit, and they go a lot of
handling, so wanted something that'd hold up. Damn, wish I still had
that gun. Ah well. The grips still looked as pristine as they day they
were finished. When I finally finished molding the grips, didn't even
need to aim, just point, and it was right on target - very nice house
gun.
Lacewood, eh? Probably not going to be handled a lot. Hell, in
that case I might just use paste wax - if it was for myself anyway - but
I'd probably opt for water-base poly instead. However, I've got a very
nice set of factory Ruger wood grips. From the look, and feel, it
doesn't have any finish at all, but I'm sure it does - after all this
time, the grips still look like new. If it was me, I'd get ahold of
them, and ask what they use - worst they can do (probably) is not just
tell you no but Hell no..
For rifle stocks, especially those tht are expected to get a lot of
rough use, several high end rmanufacturers spray the stocks with some
type of poly. Makes the stocks shiny and pretty much scratch resistant
as I understand.
JOAT
Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will
acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
- Johann Von Schiller
On 31 Jan, 11:52, Prometheus <[email protected]> wrote:
> Any good suggestions?
Birchwood-Casey Tru-oil
http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/wood_index.asp?categoryID=5&subcat=11
It's offensively shiny to real woodworkers, but shooters love it. Easy
to work with, reliable good results and resistant to gun cleaning
afterwards.
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> It's a Spanish automatic pistol, not a revolver. I haven't seen the
> weapon itself, just the grips. I'll be making the new ones slightly
> thicker so that they can be tuned to the guy's hand, but otherwise
> identical.
>
A much easier project to worry about in my opinion. You have lots more
latitude in your decisions. Kudo's on the idea of making them oversized for
tuning.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
J. Clarke wrote:
> On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:41:48 -0500, David Starr
>
> Never seen a Weatherby?
>
> Prior to the advent of synthetic stocks, one occasionally saw
> laminated stocks on competition firearms, made with a combination of
> woods intended to produce maximum stability. Some were quite wild in
> appearance.
>
No, never seen one for real. Seen a lot of nice ads with gorgeous color
photos of really nice rifles, but I have never seen or handled a live one.
David Starr
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all,
>
> A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
> I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
> them.
>
> They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
> I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
>
> I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
> terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
> in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
> dissolving.
There is little risk of solvent or powder issues with the finish. What is
the pistol? Is it really a pistol or are you using the term interchangably
for either a pistol or a revolver? I shoot and I prefer a rubbed finish on
my handgun grips. I have a revolver with poly'd grips and I really do not
like the way it holds in my hand. That said, the bigger thing is that the
grip properly fit the shooter's hand. Close is much different than proper.
>
> Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
> for this?
>
Everything from rubbed finishes to poly, to rubber to composites.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
I strongly agree with the poster who said to use the Birchwood Casey product.
Either that or a simple BLO or similar finish is most appropriate unless
it is for some kind of showpiece or commemmorative pistol. The oil finishes
are about the only ones that can be reasonably easily maintained and
reapplied for touch-ups without removing the grips from the gun.
--
Contentment makes poor men rich. Discontent makes rich men poor.
--Benjamin Franklin
Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf.lonestar.org
Prometheus wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
> I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
> them.
>
> They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
> I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
>
> I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
> terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
> in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
> dissolving.
>
> Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
> for this?
>
Every wooden gunstock or pistol grip I ever saw was done in an flat,
dull, unshiney, oil finish, a soak-into-the-wood sort of oil, most
likely linseed oil. The wood either is walnut or is stained walnut
brown (or both). I have seen ads in gun mags for fancy shoulder arms
with a glossy finish, but I never saw one for real. The purpose of
pistol grips is to stick to the hand and prevent the grip from slipping
under the recoil. Gloss finishes are slippery.
David Starr
On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:02:51 -0500, David Starr
<[email protected]> wrote:
>J. Clarke wrote:
>> On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:41:48 -0500, David Starr
>
>>
>> Never seen a Weatherby?
>>
>> Prior to the advent of synthetic stocks, one occasionally saw
>> laminated stocks on competition firearms, made with a combination of
>> woods intended to produce maximum stability. Some were quite wild in
>> appearance.
>>
>No, never seen one for real. Seen a lot of nice ads with gorgeous color
>photos of really nice rifles, but I have never seen or handled a live one.
Weatherby was at one time famous for their very high gloss finish, and
glossy it was.
On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:41:48 -0500, David Starr
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Prometheus wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
>> I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
>> them.
>>
>> They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
>> I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
>>
>> I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
>> terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
>> in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
>> dissolving.
>>
>> Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
>> for this?
>>
> Every wooden gunstock or pistol grip I ever saw was done in an flat,
>dull, unshiney, oil finish, a soak-into-the-wood sort of oil, most
>likely linseed oil. The wood either is walnut or is stained walnut
>brown (or both). I have seen ads in gun mags for fancy shoulder arms
>with a glossy finish, but I never saw one for real. The purpose of
>pistol grips is to stick to the hand and prevent the grip from slipping
>under the recoil. Gloss finishes are slippery.
Never seen a Weatherby?
Prior to the advent of synthetic stocks, one occasionally saw
laminated stocks on competition firearms, made with a combination of
woods intended to produce maximum stability. Some were quite wild in
appearance.
On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:41:10 -0500, "Mike Marlow" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>There is little risk of solvent or powder issues with the finish. What is
>the pistol? Is it really a pistol or are you using the term interchangably
>for either a pistol or a revolver? I shoot and I prefer a rubbed finish on
>my handgun grips. I have a revolver with poly'd grips and I really do not
>like the way it holds in my hand. That said, the bigger thing is that the
>grip properly fit the shooter's hand. Close is much different than proper.
It's a Spanish automatic pistol, not a revolver. I haven't seen the
weapon itself, just the grips. I'll be making the new ones slightly
thicker so that they can be tuned to the guy's hand, but otherwise
identical.
The basic rationale behind the project is that the original grips are
pretty grimy, and were cheap walnut end-grain that was not very smooth
to begin with. Some nicely finished lacewood should brighten the
thing up quite a bit, and look sharp with the stainless finish on the
gun.
On Thu, 1 Feb 2007 03:40:58 +0000 (UTC),
[email protected] (Larry) wrote:
>I strongly agree with the poster who said to use the Birchwood Casey product.
>Either that or a simple BLO or similar finish is most appropriate unless
>it is for some kind of showpiece or commemmorative pistol. The oil finishes
>are about the only ones that can be reasonably easily maintained and
>reapplied for touch-ups without removing the grips from the gun.
Well, that's three in favor of the Birchwood Casey stuff- sounds like
a winner. Removing the grips doesn't appear to be much of a chore in
any case, they're just held on with a pair of screws in each side.
Thanks for all the advice!
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all,
>
> A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
> I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
> them.
>
> They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
> I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
>
> I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
> terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
> in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
> dissolving.
>
> Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
> for this?
I've had polyurethane on three different pair of curly maple handgun stocks
I made 20 years ago... they still look good.
John
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all,
>
> A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
> I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
> them.
>
> They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
> I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
>
> I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
> terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
> in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
> dissolving.
>
> Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
> for this?
>
No suggestions except to steer clear of a Spar Varnish.
On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 13:05:30 -0500, [email protected] (J T)
wrote:
>Wed, Jan 31, 2007, 5:52am (EST-1) [email protected]
>(Prometheus) doth query:
><snip> What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use for this?
> Lacewood, eh? Probably not going to be handled a lot. Hell, in
>that case I might just use paste wax - if it was for myself anyway - but
>I'd probably opt for water-base poly instead.
No, it sounds like it will probably see a lot of range use. Lacewood
was my choice, not the guy who asked for it. He didn't care too much,
and I have a bit of lacewood scrap in the shop- since it's so nice to
work with, that was my suggestion for him, and he liked the sample I
brought in.
The guy has done a lot of free welding work for me, so it's kind of a
tit-for-tat job, and I figure I parting with a couple little fancy
pieces of wood won't kill me.
Thu, Feb 1, 2007, 6:39am (EST-1) [email protected]
(Prometheus) doth sayeth:
No, it sounds like it will probably see a lot of range use.<snip>
Just recalled. Some time back I was experimenting with neutral
shoe polish as a finish. Had some Turtle brand left over, and bought
some Kivi rrand.
Both went on well, altho the Kivi seemed to have a faint "haze",
while the Turtle was absolutely clear. Both had a good "grip" feel.
The turtle stayed perfectly clear and clean, while the Kivi rapidly
pickud up a grime look. This was becasuse I rubbed or touched each
several times a day. Unfortunately I only had an almost can of the
Turtle, and it rapidly ran out, and I haven't found any since - I think
it may not be made any longer. Too bad, because it was an interesting
experiment and one I think would have worked quite well as a finish, and
should have worked very well on pistol grips. I haven't asked the maker
if it's still available or not, tho I did cruise their site. I'm
talking about the paste shoe polish, not the liquid stuff. Anyone know
if it's still made?
Hmm, I wonder how non-slip liquid floor wax would do? Time to do
some more 'speerminting I guess.
Oh yeah, my painted .22 rifle stock is holding up very nicely. I
will probably eventually refinish it tho, probably using very thinned
latex paint, as a "stain" or "wash". And then probably use thinned
Titebond II as a finish coat - all my tests doing that are working out
nicely. Gods above, woodworking is fun.
JOAT
Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will
acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
- Johann Von Schiller
On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:52:46 -0600, Prometheus
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>A guy at work has asked me to make him some custom pistol grips, and
>I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good finish for
>them.
>
>They're going to be Lacewood, and are going to a non-woodworker, so
>I'm looking for durable- not traditional.
>
>I'm sort of leaning towards spar varnish or poly, but I had this
>terrible thought that with the various powder solvents and oils used
>in cleaning a pistol, there might be an issue with the finish
>dissolving.
>
>Any good suggestions? What does a gunstock manufacturer normally use
>for this?
Here are some links with some commonly used gunstock finishes
<http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/catsearch.aspx?c=1492&p=4812>
<http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/index.html>
<http://www.huntamerica.com/linspeed/>
There used to be an epoxy called "fullerplast" available but it seems
to have vanished.
Any decent quality urethane should be fine--basically has to stand up
to a high quality oil and to a nitro powder solvent, which is actually
pretty mild--alcohol, kerosene, ammonia, and a couple of "trade
secrets". Lacquer should also be all right and some of the new
precatalyzed lacquers are nearly as durable as urethane. I've heard
of using automotive clearcoat, which should be pretty nearly
indestructible.
If this is going to be a shooter and not a presentation piece, then
don't get too shiny--you want to maintain enough friction that he can
maintain control.