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Thanks for the compliments. Here are a few pictures of my progress.

Front strap finally finished. This took a very long time. The vertical lines took the longest because so much of the metal is in contact with the file at a time and the trigger guard keeps you from following through. I also think the frame steel is harder than the mainspring housing i did previously. The file was getting dull to boot. The horizontal lines took much less time. Once done, I ended the checkering by filing down the un-checkered section so that the checkering stands proud.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1328583129.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1328583144.jpg

I then set to work on the grips. I took the amboyna burl block and sliced it into two thin panels. I first drilled pilot holes for the bushings and countersunk them on the back to fit over the bushings. I could then start filing and sanding the grips to follow the contours of the frame and magwell. I very gld I chose to make my own because having them fit perfectly to my frame will really be the type of details that make the gun. Keep in mind once varnished, the grain on this wood will really pop. These will take more time but starting to look like grips.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1328583354.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1328583370.jpg

That is going to be beautiful!!

Nice checkering work. Who's barrel are you using?
I've used Caspian slides on Glocks and 1911s. They do nice work.
I'm getting ready to start a 2011 build with a Clark barrel and EGW comp.

Barrel is a Kart. Heard very good things about them.

I'm really bad about updating these types of build logs but the gun is just about finished. I got the parts back from the bead blasters this morning. There are a few areas I might want to touch up though. I'm happy the way it came out.

I realized after the fact that these pictures are a little blury but they show some of the detail work.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_4784.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_4786.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_4787.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_4788.jpg http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/IMG_4789.jpg

Good Lord that's nice!

sum of a beattch.................thats beautiful. nice work.

i think yer gonna enjoy that alot.

happy spooning.

Can I be rude and ask how much $$$ your into it and how many hours?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO (Post 6894009)

sum of a beattch.................thats beautiful. nice work.

i think yer gonna enjoy that alot.

happy spooning.

Well said... Extrodinary! Do you do paid work like this for other people?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner (Post 6894146)

Can I be rude and ask how much $$$ your into it and how many hours?

You can read in the first few posts that I royally screwed up my first slide. That certainly added to the cost but ignoring that, I think the total is around $1300-$1400. I bought the best parts I could find so one could do it for a bit less.

I'd have a hard time guessing at how many hours I have into it. I picked up the frame and slide around Christmas of last year. A lot of the work is really slow going like the checkering and fitting the barrel and barrel bushing so I could not work n it for too long in one sitting. I also took some time off until I found some motivation to continue. If you are quick, it might take you a few weeks to a couple months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr (Post 6894219)

Well said... Extrodinary! Do you do paid work like this for other people?

I have never done anything like this before. Its my first 1911. I like to try my hand at everything. I love projects, especially challenging ones!

I like that bead blasted look Brian. It really evens up the lustre. Well done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas (Post 6895020)

I like that bead blasted look Brian. It really evens up the lustre. Well done.

Thanks, Bill. I think it turned out really well. I told the guy I wanted it as fine as possible that would cover my sanding marks and I imagine this was about as fine as you can go. The glass bead media I found in some crevices was like powder. I went with stainless bead blasted finish because I wanted the option to change something or touch up the finish quickly and cheaply.

Very well executed - thanks for sharing!