The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > The Smithy

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 23, 2010, 07:09 AM   #1
UpandAtIt
Junior member
 
Join Date: February 14, 2010
Posts: 233
Franzite grip warp - How to fix ??

Ok, for us older guys, I have a set of Franzite (plastic) grip panels from a Hi-Standard pistol that are horribly warpped. I would like to repair them and just not sure how. They are hard to find in this model as they are the real genuine immitation Stag, I am betting many a Franzite-Elk paid dearly to make these grips panels

Any ideas on how to bring these back to flat without distortion of the screw hole or position of the guide pin holes?

Here is the picture of the warpped grips:
UpandAtIt is offline  
Old March 23, 2010, 07:37 AM   #2
mapsjanhere
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2009
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 2,832
I haven't found if Franzite used a thermoset or thermoplastic, but the procedure is the same but for the temperature anyway. You need to press them between two pieces of wood with a c-clamp, and slowly heat. Best done in an oven at no more than 5 degrees every 10 min. Put a couple of cookie sheets on the lower racks so you only see convection heat, not radiant direct heat of the elements (you'll destroy the surface if you go too fast). At some point (called the glass transition point) your grips are going to soften just enough to press them flat with little pressure, as soon as they are flat take them out of the oven and let them cool down. The real trick is slow heat-up and very little pressure so you don't smash the surface details.
__________________
I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.
mapsjanhere is offline  
Old March 23, 2010, 08:27 AM   #3
UpandAtIt
Junior member
 
Join Date: February 14, 2010
Posts: 233
What temp should I start out at for the oven method?

Would it be better to boil them rather than oven heat?
UpandAtIt is offline  
Old March 23, 2010, 12:37 PM   #4
mapsjanhere
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 6, 2009
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 2,832
I would not boil it, unless you're sure the coloration is permanent, not painted on. I'd start at 200 F and work my way up. You might just lay them on a flat piece of wood for starters, and see if they soften at some point, that way you're least likely to damage the surface.
__________________
I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.
mapsjanhere is offline  
Old March 23, 2010, 01:03 PM   #5
Lavid2002
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 6, 2007
Posts: 2,568
Why not c-clamp em with a towel in between the grips and the c clamp. Stick it in the oven at the lowest setting for a hour or so. Let it cool off see if that does the trick
__________________
Math>Grammar
Lavid2002 is offline  
Old March 23, 2010, 01:30 PM   #6
Bill DeShivs
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 7, 2006
Posts: 10,967
No matter what you do, you will probably find they have shrunk.
I would heat them very gently from behind with a heat gun. When they become pliable, flip them over and lay a board across them until they cool.
__________________
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
www.billdeshivs.com
Bill DeShivs is offline  
Old March 24, 2010, 01:19 PM   #7
Inspector3711
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2008
Location: Puget Sound Washington
Posts: 1,553
Bill hit the nail on the head. Shrinkage is a big risk. I worked with thermoforming for many years and watched people try to remove warpage from parts many times. Most often shrinkage of the part ended up ruining it anyway.

Once in awhile it would work but you have to be careful.
__________________
"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times)
"That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell
Inspector3711 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.05670 seconds with 10 queries