my profile |
register |
faq |
search upload photo | donate | calendar |
12-02-2014, 04:30 PM | #1 |
User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 180
Thanks: 51
Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts
|
Is it possible to shrink Luger wood grips?
Is it possible to shrink Luger wood grips?
I cleaned a set of grips with Murphys oil soap and rinsed with water. Let them dry for a week and put a coat of boiled linseed oil on them. They turned out good but now hang way over the front grip strap and I can hardly get them on. Any tips to shrinking them would be much appreciated? Thanks, Mike Z. |
12-02-2014, 04:38 PM | #2 |
Super Moderator
Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: North of Spokane, WA
Posts: 15,926
Thanks: 2,014
Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts
|
Mike, I have never noticed them getting slightly larger by using Murphys and water - in fact what you do is what i do...
__________________
Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV |
The following member says Thank You to Edward Tinker for your post: |
12-03-2014, 02:30 AM | #3 |
User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ILL
Posts: 686
Thanks: 36
Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts
|
There are good reasons some of us don't fool around with original artifacts.
|
12-03-2014, 06:59 AM | #4 |
User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Posts: 4,867
Thanks: 1,685
Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts
|
Are they original grips? I've never seen an original pair swell after soaking them, but have experienced this with inexpensive woods, which soaked up moisture.
Try gently heating them to see if they dry out thoroughly. Heat will shrink wood to a degree. |
The following member says Thank You to alanint for your post: |
12-03-2014, 07:56 AM | #5 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 197
Thanks: 700
Thanked 176 Times in 69 Posts
|
If you heated the grips while in the Murphys soap, it may have resulted in more absorption of the soap emulsion resulting in less "evaporation" after removal. You might try heating the grips in clear water, this will remove any soap still in the wood and allow for the grips to dry, and hopefully return to their original size. Just a thought, and would be my next move.
Jim |
The following member says Thank You to Jim Solomon for your post: |
12-03-2014, 08:31 AM | #6 |
User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 180
Thanks: 51
Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts
|
They are the originals at least #ed and proofed.
Thanks Guys |
12-03-2014, 09:50 AM | #7 |
User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy
Posts: 2,646
Thanks: 1,082
Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts
|
I messed about with a pair of original grips several years ago, but they belonged to a crummy P.08 shooter that I was using to "experiment" on it.
I would think twice before doing the same thing on a good pair of original grips. IMHO Sergio
__________________
"Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list. |
The following member says Thank You to Sergio Natali for your post: |
12-03-2014, 11:05 AM | #8 |
User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 180
Thanks: 51
Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts
|
|
The following member says Thank You to Mike Z for your post: |
12-03-2014, 12:35 PM | #9 |
User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 256
Thanks: 74
Thanked 67 Times in 32 Posts
|
Berry them in silica desiccant for couple of weeks. This should slowly remove excess moisture without damaging wood. Or you can try quick method using microwave in defrost mode.
Last edited by SIGP2101; 12-04-2014 at 11:09 AM. |
The following member says Thank You to SIGP2101 for your post: |
12-03-2014, 11:44 PM | #10 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chandler Arizona
Posts: 3,502
Thanks: 1,318
Thanked 3,639 Times in 1,001 Posts
|
wet wood...
best thing to do is nothing.. they will return to their original moisture state within a few days.. watch your humidity forecast... and set out on dry days, seal in Tupperware on wet ones.. you'll be surprised at how fast they change... best to all, til...lat'r...GT
|
The following member says Thank You to G.T. for your post: |
12-04-2014, 12:08 AM | #11 |
Moderator
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Arizona/Colorado
Posts: 7,766
Thanks: 4,891
Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts
|
If your grips swell for more than 4 hours..seek help!
__________________
Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know." |
The following 4 members says Thank You to lugerholsterrepair for your post: |
12-04-2014, 02:34 AM | #13 |
Twice a Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY
Posts: 3,327
Thanks: 7,216
Thanked 2,545 Times in 1,353 Posts
|
G.T. has hit this one right on the button. Moisture of any sort will interfere with the dimensions of most woods, to whatever degree. The coat of boiled linseed oil seals out moisture, but if the wood is not totally dry when the finish is applied, then the oil tends to seal the moisture in! Along with a little patience, a warm, dry place will do the job, although the finish will impede the process slightly.
__________________
"... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894 |
The following 4 members says Thank You to ithacaartist for your post: |
12-04-2014, 07:50 PM | #14 |
User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 180
Thanks: 51
Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts
|
I had good results. I heated them as suggested in the oven at 200 keeping a close eye on them.
I let them sit all day while at work and now they fit good, Go on easy and they have a little overhang the front grip straps but that's the same as before. Thanks to all that had replied much appreciated. Mike Z. |
12-05-2014, 05:52 AM | #15 |
User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy
Posts: 2,646
Thanks: 1,082
Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts
|
Mike
I'm really glad for you that you managed to fit them back. I think it has been a lesson for the future. Sergio
__________________
"Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list. |
12-28-2014, 10:06 AM | #16 |
Lifer
Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chandler Arizona
Posts: 3,502
Thanks: 1,318
Thanked 3,639 Times in 1,001 Posts
|
put in a closed environment
Hi Rich, take the grips off the frame, put in a Tupperware bowl with lid, also place a small cup/shot glass of water in the center of the bowl, careful not to spill ...... you don't want water and grips to touch!! seal the bowl with all inside, and check twice a day. If the grips are still undersized, put back in bowl, replace the lid, and wait a day or two longer?... Sooner or later the artificial environment will hydrate the wood to a higher that normal level, but once in the air, they will assume whatever winter, or summer, humidity that is normal... .. good luck, til...lat'r......GT
|
01-09-2015, 10:36 PM | #17 |
User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 8
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Long time since I look at this here forum. Still same subjects. Years ago I published here a fool proof grip cleaning method that I have used about 30 years. It was here in the forum archives for years---may still be---I don't know how to find it. It even contained pictures. Bottom line----the only place water is good on wood is old ship wrecks!! Use paste paint and varnish remover. Let girps soak in a plastic container over night (ususaly is long enough). Clean off varnish remover with tooth brush and then paper towels soaked with acetone. Maybe tooth brush again and final liberal application of acetone. Some times the grips swell a bit. Couple days later they look sooo good and fit same as before. Leave the soap to Mrs Murphy!!!
|
03-23-2015, 08:30 AM | #18 | |
User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Thanks: 10
Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post
|
Quote:
Thank you, Art, for the time and effort you invested in sharing your method. Link> http://www.lugerforum.com/gripclean.html |
|
03-23-2015, 09:12 AM | #19 |
Super Moderator - Patron
LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA
Posts: 3,907
Thanks: 1,374
Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts
|
Another approach for drying grips. Wrap them in a couple of layers of paper towels, and then put that into a black plastic bag. Put the bag on the dashboard of a car.
The heat and sunlight will help "sweat" moisture and oils out of the grips.
__________________
Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war. |
|
|