New 1911 Full Build

[churchmouse]

I need to replace my stones for this work. Never ends.....

 

[Cree]

Made sure the trigger bow was flat and removed the high spots and polished.

Though I did not take a picture of of the process, I machined the trigger shoe to fit the frame with very little tolerance.

 

[Cree]

The end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 has marked a new chapter for me. I have upgraded licensing and have taken a bit of time to really take a close look at what I thought were my "best practices". Closest thing I can relate the last few months to is a sabbatical of sorts. What I have learned has changed my thinking 180-degrees and has set me on a new course. As a result, I scrapped the original 1911 slide and started over with a new one. I have a frame that better matches the specs on the other slide, so not all is lost. This slide will be a much better fit for the frame. If things continue the way the are now, I will be back on track and posting more pictures.

Here is a quick video of the top serrations being cut on the new slide...

[video=facebook_share;564300497243350]https://www.facebook.com/andy.cree.73/videos/564300497243350/[/video]

 

[Cree]

Before and after...

 

[churchmouse]

 

[Cree]

Slide on the left is for the 1911 being built for this thread. The other slide, with the "CCG Racing Stripes" is for the another 2011.

 

[Steel and wood]

The work you do is so outstanding, just a work of art.

 

[T.Lex]

As a result, I scrapped the original 1911 slide and started over with a new one.

I'm still struggling with that.

Truly, there are many reasons I'm not cut out (pardon the pun) for that kind of work. I literally could not imagine spending that much time (and a fair amount of my own money) on something like that, then blank-canning it.

Credit to you for your commitment to the highest quality.

 

[Cree]

T.Lex, The good thing about the slide I had to "scrap" is I found a frame with measurements that will allow it to work. I will get to use that slide after all. One of the hardest lessons to accept it the growing scrap parts bin...

 

[churchmouse]

T.Lex, The good thing about the slide I had to "scrap" is I found a frame with measurements that will allow it to work. I will get to use that slide after all. One of the hardest lessons to accept it the growing scrap parts bin...

It is a part of doing this.
I have managed to build 4 complete 1911's from spares and cast offs from other projects. Unless I completely screw up there is most always a use.

I love the Tri-Top.

 

[T.Lex]

I'll take your guys' word for it.

I guess its like writing something. A whole lot of good sentences and paragraphs don't make it into the final draft. In writing, the term is "killing your darlings." The idea is that you can spend a great deal of time writing a really great portion of the work, but in the end... it just doesn't work.

But, it isn't like you can collect them in a "dumpster document." (Although, now that I write that, maybe that's not a bad idea.)

 

[churchmouse]

I'll take your guys' word for it.

I guess its like writing something. A whole lot of good sentences and paragraphs don't make it into the final draft. In writing, the term is "killing your darlings." The idea is that you can spend a great deal of time writing a really great portion of the work, but in the end... it just doesn't work.

But, it isn't like you can collect them in a "dumpster document." (Although, now that I write that, maybe that's not a bad idea.)

In the search for a better piece one will make some errors along the way. If you dont you are not trying hard enough.

 

[praff]

Nice work Andy....

I have a drawer of mistakes. I have done some stupid stuff and have had unfortunate mishaps with tooling or machines. Its part of doing business with custom pistols. Sometimes i get to re use mistakes sometimes i dont. But....the lesson learned is always useful.

 

[rhino]

T.Lex, The good thing about the slide I had to "scrap" is I found a frame with measurements that will allow it to work. I will get to use that slide after all. One of the hardest lessons to accept it the growing scrap parts bin...

I suspect that's how some factory guns get built . . . by mixing and matching until they find a frame and slide that will function together.

 

[Chr15topher]

Wow... I’m loving this build thread and can’t wait to see the final product.

 

[Cree]

[video=facebook_share;1970934296504864]https://www.facebook.com/creecustomguns/videos/1970934296504864/[/video]

Cutting the frame rails to fit one of the slides.

 

[SPOOK331945]

Curious what your setup fixtures look like? pics please! What brand dividing head are you using?

Either you have a brand new Kurt vise or you appreciate your tooling purchases and want them to last. I'll go with option 2.

Buying the mill is the easy part. Buying tooling....

Very nice work.

 

[Cree]

Spook331945,

THank you for the kind words. I take care of everything I buy because I cannot afford to replace it. You are also correct that buying the mill is the easy part. I could spend 10x that price in tooling and probably still need more.

The fixture in the picture is an EGW "Gunsmith Plate" Gunsmith Plate w/ Instructions: EGW Gun Parts

The dividing head I am using is made by Vertex. It is ok. I am currently using it to checker frames. Most of my setups are done with the EGW plate and the vise.

Andy

 

[Cree]

Parallel and very tight!

 

[nrgrams]

I may not completely understand the technicalities and mechanical aspect of what you're doing, but I do know what commitment and passion is. And I commend you on the fortitude in shooting for perfection!