Little Bitty Bits

[GripUs]

Hi Gang,
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a request for a source for very small bits. As always, ya'll came through and I ordered some 1/32" bits. With my success with these bits and newly acquired confidence in using them, I may try some even smaller.

In the past I have had a need, or in some cases just the desire, to carve designs into a pistol grip. Because of the contoured surface of the grips I was unable to do it. Aspire has changed all that!! What a blessing this software is.

The attached pics are of a couple sets of grips I made using James' excellent 3D models, a 1/32" bit and Aspire. I was particularily impressed with the detail on the skulls. The skulls are 1.043" across, to give you an idea of scale.

Regards,

That little old gripmaker, me.

[moto633]

Gripus,

Those are toooo cool! I have a 1911... how hard would it be for me to make a set for that? I know I know I should order them from you but...... It looks like it would be fun to try!

Nick

[GripUs]

Thanks, Nick.

The grip itself is going to be your problem. I have a 3D scanner and whenever someone wants a set of grips I have never cut before, I scan them and export it as a DXF file. From then on, it is plain old toolpathing.

I started off using VisualMill, then transitioned to Cut3D when I started buying the Vectric software. But, until Aspire, I couldn't project any of the 3D models onto the grips. For that matter, I couldn't cut designs into the grip because of the contour and had to use my laser to cut the inlays. Aspire opens up a whole lot of new possibilities.

I usually don't have a problem sharing anything I do in the Vectric software, but the grips are my bread and butter so I consider them as somewhat proprietary.

Regards,

Joe

[RoutnAbout]

Looks Great Joe,
Your getting some fine detail with that stuff, and your evening getting really good at it.

I looked in my bookmarks and found a few links for your small tooling.
I've never dealt with them, but they've got the small stuff.

• Richards Micro Tools
• Arch Micro Tool
• Micro Tool Service

Just make sure your set your feed rate properly!!

[GripUs]

Thanks Don...even the blind hog gets an acorn once in a while

I tried doing the horse's head, but for some reason I couldn't get as much detail from it.

If memory serves me right, I think I used a feed rate of 65ipm which, I thought, was pretty fast. But then, I only had a stepover of 8% so it wasn't cutting much.

Thanks for the additional links.

Joe

[kzeyus]

Joe,

you might try cutting the 3d with a very small vbit or flat tip v engraving bit. I did a couple grips for a friend using a 1/8 22.5deg vbit and the detail was surprising and the v bits will be a little more sturdy than the very small endmills.

[Greasetattoo]

You should try that tiny stuff on Corian?
Wonder how it would work?

Better detail, you think?

Then it could look like a bone handgrip..

[GripUs]

You know, Greg, I make a lot of pistol grips out of Corian (actually, about 35% of my sales) but it is so much harder to sand and polish than the mesquite. I make grips from the solid black Corian and have thought about doing a set of the skull grips and epoxying two big red rhinestones in the eye sockets. The only problem is black Corian is grey after you machine it and doesn't turn black until you sand and polish it.

I do have alittle bit of off white I might try it on.

Good idea.

Joe

[Greasetattoo]

Hey Joe,
How about making it in Corian.

But, have the Corian as your mold (so you would have to make a negative of your grip) and then get some
resin and cast them?

Just a thought..

Post one of your Corian ones?
I would like to see it!

[GripUs]

Greg,
You and I think along the same track. There are just a few problems.

The license granted with the VectorArt3D models does not allow for making molds without a special dispensation from James (he and I have already talked about that and I believe we will be able to work something out)

Even with a small bit and small stepover, the Corian would still have to be sanded and polished. I would think doing that in the negative would be difficult.

I tried spin casting some resin grips several years ago and I looked like Bre' Rabbit and the Tar Baby when I got through. But, I am sure that was just operator error

At one time we spin cast pewter grips using a Corian grip as the master. That is a real pain because the Corian starts to thermoform at around 360 degrees and the vulcanization of the mold is higher than that. I can use a low temp mold, but then I have to take that grip and use it as the master on a hard rubber mold. At each step, the mold and grips shrink a little when they cool, so I have to calculate (usually by trial and error) how much total shrinkage I will have so the holes will line up on the finished grip.

We do plan top start production on the pewter grips again in a few months, so maybe I can figure out someway to make it work.

But keep coming up with the good ideas and maybe you will make me a millionaire!

Joe

ps Here is a set of the Corian grips and the pewter grips.

[Greasetattoo]

Very cool...

I do have a Colt Python, that needs a set of grips.
Hmmmm.

Another thing added to my list...

You do some really nice work!

Yes, I understand what you mean with the 3D clipart.
Well, then you have to design your own..

How about wax, cut them in wax. (or casted in wax)
Then cast them like the lost wax casting method.
Would they be to big?

I know, I have casted some rings that way,
my brother is a dental tech,
and they do most of there castings that way!

I would like to see the skull with some nice big ruby eyes...

Good luck..

[moto633]

Joe,
You definatly do very fine work. You have a very cool site and I bet there in TX you keep very busy.

On the corian grips could you polish with a small torch? just a thought you have probably tried??

I think I am going to try to hack out a set for my 1911 out of some black walnut I have collecting dust in the shop. If I mess them all up I guess I'll have to buy a set from you

Thanks,
Nick

[Robatoy]

On the corian grips could you polish with a small torch? just a thought you have probably tried??


Nick

That wouldn't work on Corian. Perpex/Plexy, yes, but Corian has a lot (up to 60%) of ATH (AluminumTriHydrate) mineral filler in it which turns ashy-white when heated over 325-degreesF.
The stuff doesn't melt in the normal sense.

[GripUs]

Hey Grease.
I finally got around to putting eyes in my skull.

[Greasetattoo]

Hey Joe,
Very cool...

Them there grips must be worth a whole lot with them ruby eyes!

Let's see them on the pistol!

Keep posting!