CNC router is great for making custom pistol grips

[CNCest]

This 1911 grip set was quick and easy to make. Material was a green/black laminate.

 

[Chaz]

did you model this yourself?

 

[CNCest]

No, I purchased the STL file on Etsy.

 

[Chaz]

No, I purchased the STL file on Etsy.

OK, cool! I was wondering what you meant by "quick and easy", because modeling those grips is neither quick or easy.

 

[Tom from Clayton]

Not having a CNC what did those grips look like prior to the CNC cutting them out? I'm a little surprised at the detail and didn't realize a CNC could do that.

 

[CNCest]

Any CNC router job that is only takes 1-2 hours is "quick and easy" to me.
If you search on Ebay for "gun knife scales" you will find unlimited materials, colors and size slabs to CNC into 1911 grips. I did a few practice runs on a 6mm thick walnut board. This was just to verify I had the scale parameters dialed in.
Some of my practice pieces.

 

[PapaSmurf]

Very nice! I will have to try those one of these days. I keep working on my list of things to do, but one thing drops off and two go on or so it seems.

 

[Chaz]

Are you going to make grips for sale?

 

[CNCest]

I would encourage you to make your own 1911 grips. I only do these things as a hobby for myself or as gifts for friends and family.

 

[Chaz]

Oh, I'm not interested in making set - I don't have any need - no 1911. I have an interest in the modeling techniques to do chequering and then how to create toolpaths.

 

[CNCest]

I have only limited knowledge in modeling. I purchased the grip set .STL file from a seller on Etsy. To create the toolpath file(Gcode), I still use use an old program called Artcam.