How to Stipple and what to use.

[Pocket Pistol]

How do you stipple a handgun front and back strap and what kind of punch do you use and where do you get them ??

 

[mete]

A center punch is all you need, the spacing and depth is up to you . Some use the rubber stair tread tape. The proper way is to use checkering files.

 

[Pocket Pistol]

A center punch seems to be to big.
Tread tape is tacky looking
Checkering would be nice but some guns do not have enough meet to allow checkering.
I will try to find a small center punch.
Thanks

 

[Al Thompson]

USMCsilver just got through doing one. I'll try to post the link to his web page. He used (IIRC) a nail punch or something like that.

 

[dfariswheel]

Brownell's gunsmith supply sell stippling punches, and some people use modified nail sets, small center punches, or home-made from hard drill rod.

 

[Pocket Pistol]

Drill rod sounds like the best bet so far.
Aren't the ones in Brownells for wood ??
If not where are the ones for steel ???
Maybe I should call Brownells, duh

 

[4 eyed six shooter]

The small punches work great. Put some heavy tape around the outside of the area that you are working on. Helps with those Oh S*its! I have done several front straps with the small punch and it gives a great grip and has not been so sharp that it hurts the hand when shooting the pistol. Follow up with some touch up blue and the job will look great.

Best to all, John K

 

[Pocket Pistol]

I think you are right 4 eyed six shooter, I think that is my best bet.
I will post a pic when I am done
As for the blue, not needed it is stainless

 

[Al Thompson]

Here's the link to USMCsilver's 1911 project page.

Oops......

http://webpages.charter.net/usmcsilver/refinish

 

[Pocket Pistol]

Click where ??

 

[Traveler]

While I personally dislike stippling (the German guy I learned from thought it was for those who couldn't learn to be precise), I have found that you can make the tools easily for small jobs if you have a lathe.

Just turn down a 4" piece of drill rod to whatever taper you want. Test it on a small piece of hardwood. Use a little Kasinite to harden the tip. Wear glasses while working.

 

[Pocket Pistol]

THanks
I like checkering better also but there is not enough material thickness to do my front strap and I do not like
mixing methods

 

[mete]

There is no gun that "doesn't have enough meat " to checker. Checkering files come in various sizes., 20,30,40,50 lines per inch. You can pick what you want . And to repeat an earlier post you can do just part of the strap such as justthe center part of the HP frontstrap. Also when checkering a carry gun if you bring the checkering to a point you will wear out clothing quickly so keep it flat top.

 

[Pocket Pistol]

Thanks mete -
I will look into this more