Caleb's Workbench "Projects"

[Caleb]

Here I will try to collaborate all of my projects so 1. I can keep track of where I may post them and 2. for those that would like to see what I screw up!

**Disclaimer** I am by no means a Gunsmith and/or a professional. I do this for myself and for fun. Please take what I say/post here with a grain of salt. Do your own research and have a real Gunsmith do the work for you if you don't know how. I will not be responsible for any injuries that may occur if you follow my thread/step-by-steps and try it yourself.

To Grip or Not to Grip.......

Bought these scales on egay to try my hand at making my own grips. Follow me through my adventure and see my mistakes and/or accomplishments.



I'll start with the Flame Box Elder Scales..

Traced out the pattern using a factory set from one of my full size (Government) 1911's Then drilled the grip screw holes, still need to countersink them. Then started cutting them out...







Then I sanded them down to shape...



This is where I stopped for the night, more to come later....stay tuned!

Criticisms always welcomed (good or bad).

[Caleb]

UPDATE: 3/11/14

So, the Flame Box Elder grips I was making took a wrong turn and one broke on me. I turned around to grab more sandpaper and had the grip in my other hand. My hand hip the end of the workbench and the grip went flying. Ended up on the floor about 10ft from me in two pieces, I just stared at it for five minutes. LOL. Any who, those are scrap now.

My co-worker was able to acquire me some American Walnut scales and on to the next set. Got them cut smaller and traced out the pattern. Tomorrow I will try to work on them some during lunch.





UPDATE: 03/26/2014
Got them shaped after two belts broke on the sander. Just need final sanding and coutersink the screw holes on the faces.

[Lonestar grips.]

looking good !

[GD2A]

Wow, go you!!! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The one you started with is the one I'd have done last in the hope of it turning out the best. They're all nice though.

[Caleb]

Originally Posted by Lonestar grips.

looking good !

Thank you , means a lot coming from the grip master.

Originally Posted by GD2A

Wow, go you!!! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The one you started with is the one I'd have done last in the hope of it turning out the best. They're all nice though.

, You are right but, I like all of them....so, gotta start with one of them.

[Caleb]

Painted P-Mags

Got bored of the usual black mags so, why not..?..

[Caleb]

Fusion MSH w/MagwellMy Kimber....yeah I said it....came with a plastic MSH and no magwell so, I decided to change that. I purchased a Fusion MSH w/Magwell and proceeded to install it.





Here is the factory plastic MSH...







Time to start...Remove grips



Hold down grip safety (rubber bands work great) and punch out MSH pin (be careful, it's under spring tension) using your thumb or hand to catch MSH or flying parts.



Here are the factory parts removed...



Now install the spring, plunger, pin onto your new MSH (sorry no progress pics o this) and install the new assembled MSH onto the pistol...



With this Fusion MSH, te Magwell is screwed onto the MSH with an allen screw. It will look like this when installed...











Now replace your grips and enjoy easy mag changes!......





DONE! Or are you?......I'm not. I want to blend the Magwell with the frame of the pistol for a smoother look and mag insertion. Look at these two pics and see the double "step" bevels on the bottom (they do not interfear much with mag changes, tho).....





I have not built up the courage to blend the well yet so, stay tuned!!!!

[Caleb]

Reserved for updates....