I've been thinking about getting into making 1911 pistol grips out of rare exotic woods and selling them on ebay for spending money etc.

Anyone experienced in this type of craft? I have NO idea where to start but think it would be a fun hobby with a good net profit. Figure you can buy a decent size blank of exotic wood for +/-$15 along with sand paper and finishes to produce a number of grips for $30 a pop or so.

I have a few nice grips myself but got interested after seeing some rare burl wooden grips going for $100+ a pop in certain places.

Would be nice for spending money and what not and might be relaxing in a way.

 

I like woodworking but I don't have the equipment to do what you want there...

Do you have the dimensions on the 1911 lower frame? Or are you trying to copy an existing set of grips? I took a look at my Para-Ord and the intricacies around the safety and mag release put this project way out of my league.

Either way, good luck with that, I bet you could make a lot of money if you're good.

 

i thought you meant masturbation... (get it... wood working... working your wood...)

 

Thanks for the input.

What type of tools would i need to get started?

What type of tools would i need to pull off the grips nicely? An yes i have original grips and a frame.

 

This is probably WAY out of my league also. To do it right you'd need a CNC machine! hahahhahaha!!!

Oh, the best place I've found in the Bay Area to find really crazy exotics is a place in San Jose on the back side of the airport. Can't remember the name...

If I were to do it I would probably want a spindle sander, a drill press, a band saw, a planer, and a disk sander. That is a billion dollars already.

One of my neighbors had a giant all in one contraption that converted into just about anything, but I can't remember what that thing was called either...

You might be able to get away with a dremel and some sandpaper.

 

I say you bring back mother-of-pearl grips. Now those would sell!
Ivory grips would be cool too... except that ivory's kinda illegal now

 

As far as tools, you could probably get the job done with a 3-D router pantograph. Some of the finer details like knurling or inlays would have to be done by hand with a guide and knife.

For raw material, there are a few lumber yards around me in NJ that stock really nice wood. You should call around.

Just keep in mind: exotic woods (e.g. black walnut, which would look sweeet) tend to be very hard so keep everything SHARP. And make some practice pieces out of knotty sections of wood so you don't ruin your expensive wood...

Good luck.

 

Don't **** off your customer base.. they are gun owners!!!

 

i go to this place: http://www.southernlumber.com/

 

I'm reviving an old thread, but if any of you guys out there are into wood working with burl wood, let me know. I have a shed full of this stuff that I am selling to woodworkers. It's on Craigslist too.

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/tls/136655082.html

But these slabs go for like 300-800 bucks a piece. Depends on how much figure there is such as bird's eye and lace and stuff like that. That's what makes it more valuable. But you can make like 20 handgrips out of one slab.

 

Yes, do it! I need some nice CocoBolo grips for the Kimber Desert Warrior that I'm getting.

 

I never did get into this hobby. Been trying to get into a blacksmith class or learn from someone local on how to make knives. I'll sure i'll never get around to it though...

 

jw, how are you going to turn the block to a grip? sanding? machines?