Grips question

**Aguila Blanca** · September 10, 2020, 03:25 PM

I think I want to try making a pair of wood grips for a SAA clone. Newbie question: which way should the grain run? Vertical, or diagonal from the far lower corner towards the hammer?

Bob Wright · September 10, 2020, 03:35 PM

Draw a line from the top corner where the grip meets the frame, down to the center of the butt. This traditionally is the flow of the grain. However, better is to make a cut-out of the grip panel in a piece of heavy card stock or thn plywood, so you have a "window" shaped like a grip. Place this on the billet of wood and see which way is most appealing to you. You might try rubbing some alcohol on the wood to get some idea how it will look when finished.

An exception to the rule:

Bob Wright

stinkeypete · September 11, 2020, 02:11 PM

I might suggest laminating some 0.100" wood or micarta for the first set

- it makes inletting on the back easier
- it makes shaping easier as you can eyeball the lamination lines

Once you make your mistakes on the first set, the second set will be the better for it.

You can tell that Bob has made more than a couple of grips. It shows.

September 10, 2020, 03:25 PM	#1
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	Grips question I think I want to try making a pair of wood grips for a SAA clone. Newbie question: which way should the grain run? Vertical, or diagonal from the far lower corner towards the hammer? __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

September 10, 2020, 03:35 PM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Draw a line from the top corner where the grip meets the frame, down to the center of the butt. This traditionally is the flow of the grain. However, better is to make a cut-out of the grip panel in a piece of heavy card stock or thn plywood, so you have a "window" shaped like a grip. Place this on the billet of wood and see which way is most appealing to you. You might try rubbing some alcohol on the wood to get some idea how it will look when finished. An exception to the rule: Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

September 11, 2020, 02:11 PM	#3
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	I might suggest laminating some 0.100" wood or micarta for the first set - it makes inletting on the back easier - it makes shaping easier as you can eyeball the lamination lines Once you make your mistakes on the first set, the second set will be the better for it. You can tell that Bob has made more than a couple of grips. It shows. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.