Finishing Options for 3D-Printed Grips

[ABerryhill]

Because it seems a pistol shooter's work is never done making changes to our grips, I don't know how many emails I answer a week on this topic for the 3D-printed grips I make. To help everyone out and begin to broaden the conversation with the pistol shooting community, I've created a space on my website (http://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips.c ... -finishing) for shooters to see what I, as well as others, have done to their 3D-printed grips once they've come off the printer. There are sections about painting, puttying, staining, sanding and filing, and stippling, as well as example photos. I would invite those of you who are shooting grips I've made to contribute your experiences to the site to help all of us improve our equipment. Adding your comments and photos is easy. You can also reach me through the site if you have any questions I can answer.

Thanks much and go shoot some 10s this weekend.

Andrew

PrecisionTargetPistolGrips.com
Custom Grips for All Hands and Most Guns

[DFWdude]

If you have a 3D-printed part (any part, not just a grip) that you have sanded or altered, the area will look horrible...

I have found you can restore the ugly worked finish to match the untouched areas by using superglue (cyanoacrylate). Just put 2-3 drops of glue on the worked area, and spread it around with a fingertip to match the surrounding area. This disguises the worked area perfectly.

(Helps to use a doctor's latex glove on your fingers, for easy clean-up.)

This is not for changing the color or finish, just for matching the sheen of the part as printed. I've printed a few match grips myself in black, because black hides imperfections. But invariably there are support attachment points that need to be removed and sanded smooth. The superglue works to restore the sheen in those areas. Can't tell where you sanded or not. HTH.

[ABerryhill]

DFWdude,

Thanks for the tip. Would you mind if I posted it on the section of my site about grip finishing? http://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips.c ... -finishing

Or better yet, I'd be grateful if you'd do it. The site is a place for more voices than just mine.

Thanks,
Andrew

PrecisionTargetPistolGrips.com
Grips for All Hands and Most Guns

[DFWdude]

DFWdude,

Thanks for the tip. Would you mind if I posted it on the section of my site about grip finishing? http://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips.c ... -finishing

Or better yet, I'd be grateful if you'd do it. The site is a place for more voices than just mine.

Thanks,
Andrew

PrecisionTargetPistolGrips.com
Grips for All Hands and Most Guns

Andrew, your first post wrote, "I would invite those of you who are shooting grips I've made to contribute your experiences..."

I've learned to make my own 3D printed parts. It's quite a fun (and airgun practical) hobby. Since I didn't buy my grip from you, I didn't feel it appropriate to post on your site. Nor did your initial post indicate it would be appropriate.

You are free to link to my post here if you want. Or copy the text to your site. I don't care. My idea will be a common trick by next Thursday, if not already...

[ABerryhill]

DFWDude,

Thanks for your thoughtful response. One of the things the shooting and 3D-printing worlds have in common is both communities are very focused on helping others be successful. If you've got an idea to share about a 3D-printed grip you've made, I would be happy to welcome it (and a picture too) on my site's Grip Finishing page http://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips.c ... -finishing.

Please just make clear that it is one of your own built grips, so I don't get customers asking for something someone else built.

Thanks,
Andrew

PrecisionTargetPistolGrips.com
Custom Grips for All Hands and Most Guns