Handmade/Custom Loading Blocks- any interest??

[mek42]

I feel like an idiot for not thinking to do this myself (making my own not selling - no competition from me here). This will be a good project to see if the 4/4 maple in the backyard is dry enough to make stuff since last year.

Thanks and good luck!

FWIW, I think that 308 and 45 have similar ODs at the primer end.

 

[ritzblitz]

mmm 4/4 maple

Good luck with making yours.

 

[ritzblitz]

Update: I found a way to waterproof them pretty well. Today (Sunday, April 6) I started working on them. I made a new, more precise jig and it's hard to tell if the holes were made on a drill press like I am doing, or a cnc mill. I am pretty pleased.

I priced out what maple or oak would cost and as long as they arent 3/4oz heavier per block, they will be $18 shipped for a set in maple or oak.

 

[ritzblitz]

oops double posted.

 

[mek42]

A coworker let me harvest a storm felled tree last year. Another friend let me use his band mill. The 8/4 and 10/4 stuff will probably need another year or two to dry, but the 4/4 stuff should be just about ready to come inside for final drying.

Hmmm... maybe I'll try my hand at some 1911 grips with this maple too.

 

[ritzblitz]

Good call. Any burl/figure in it?

 

[mek42]

No, it is just ordinary soft maple. But it is FREE ordinary soft maple - and a goodly amount of it too!

I even grabbed some upper trunk / large branch bits in hopes of ripping them down and getting enough usable wood to make a laminated workbench top.

It is plentiful enough that I can ruin quite a few attempts at grips and then hopefully know what I am doing if I ever buy some exotic species for grips.

 

[Ala Dan]

I've got six (60 rounders) that an ole' friend made me FREE of charge.
He is in the cabinet making business, and used left over scrap wood and his
tools too turn 'em out. Its mighty damn nice of him, don't U think~?