Cutting checkering on 1911 grips - any experience or tips?

[swampdog]

What I would like to do is make a couple of sets of reproduction WW I double diamond walnut checkered grips. And I also would like a make a good reproduction of the early A1 walnut checkered grips, without the double diamonds.

None of the manufacturers I have seen make good reproductions of either of these patterns. Most cut too many or too few lines of checkering, use the wrong kind of wood, and don't get various other details correct.

Making the basic blank out of walnut isn't that tough with basic woodworking skills. But unless one has a CNC machine or other tool to cut the checkering accurately, it seems like a nearly impossible task to do a passable job of the checkering.

Does anyone here have experience with cutting checkering on these grips? Any tips that you can share?

 

[44Bore]

Get a good light, get a magnifying lens. get a good set of checkering tools with a proper spacing cutter for the lines per inch you want and then practice, practice and did I mention practice!

semi auto grip is not nearly as hard as a three dimensional surface like a rifle forend or pistol grip.

I used to make the od pair for a 1911 and the bhp but my eyes aren't up to it any more.

 

[swampdog]

That sounds like whole another hobby. Maybe I should look for someone who already has this mastered and ask them to make what I need. Does anyone here know of anyone who has this skill mastered? If so, please send me a PM.

Get a good light, get a magnifying lens. get a good set of checkering tools with a proper spacing cutter for the lines per inch you want and then practice, practice and did I mention practice!

semi auto grip is not nearly as hard as a three dimensional surface like a rifle forend or pistol grip.

I used to make the od pair for a 1911 and the bhp but my eyes aren't up to it any more.