#%_)(*@$_&@$%_#%#_)#_ !!!

davidkachel · 02-13-2008, 05:58 PM

Some days the bear eats you.
Just noticed from my last trip to the range that my beautiful and EXPENSIVE stag grips on one of my Hi Powers has a crack in one corner which promptly turned into a complete separation of a piece about the size of a .22 LR bullet (sans case).

I have applied Elmer's wood glue but it seems to soak right into the material and though I am going to leave it overnight, I seriously doubt it is going to hold.

Does anyone have experience with repairing stag/bone and what can you tell me please?

John Sabato · 02-13-2008, 06:25 PM

Either superglue or white epoxy is what you need to repair this break. Make sure that both surfaces are very clean and follow the instructions on the package.

davidkachel · 02-13-2008, 06:36 PM

John, I know there is now a superglue for porous material such as this, but my past experience with superglue is that after a period of time (months) the bond simply ceases to hold... at all! Have you used it on bone/stag? If so, how long has the bond held?

John Sabato · 02-13-2008, 07:34 PM

My suggestion would be epoxy... just make sure the surfaces are clean!

lugerholsterrepair · 02-13-2008, 07:41 PM

Dave, I agree with John...I use a lot of 5 minute epoxy and it seems to hold up well. Almost any of these types of glues are plastic and cannot be expected to be around forever. Particularly hard on them is UV rays..Sun.
Jerry Burney

John Sabato · 02-14-2008, 11:09 AM

One suggestion for healing a break... clean the break area thoroughly... I can't overemphasize this...

Then before applying the epoxy... figure out how you are going to hold the piece in place with some good pressure to hold it in exactly the correct position. Some kind of jig.

Finally apply the epoxy just enough to fill the break surfaces and press them hard together for at least 5 minutes.

Once the piece has passed the 5 minute mark, then mix a little more epoxy and spread it very thinly on the back of the grip on both sides of the break. Not enough to make the grip stick out when installed, but enough to provide a surface of epoxy as a supplemental bond to the epoxy in the crack of the break. Once it has dried for at LEAST 24 hours, if you laid it on too thickly, then sandpaper it gently until the epoxy is reduced enough to get the grip back on.

If you are fortunate enough that the back of the grip rests in a recess in the grip frame then put some extra epoxy in that area and don't bother thinning it down after drying. It will provide some additional strength.

After all, you are never going to completely hide the fact that the grip got broken... it will never be one piece again, but it can be just as strong as one piece and be very serviceable if the epoxy is applied correctly.

Good Luck and lets see your before and after results when you are done.

02-13-2008, 05:58 PM	#1
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	*#%_)(@$_&@$%_#%#_)#_ !!!** Some days the bear eats you. Just noticed from my last trip to the range that my beautiful and EXPENSIVE stag grips on one of my Hi Powers has a crack in one corner which promptly turned into a complete separation of a piece about the size of a .22 LR bullet (sans case). I have applied Elmer's wood glue but it seems to soak right into the material and though I am going to leave it overnight, I seriously doubt it is going to hold. Does anyone have experience with repairing stag/bone and what can you tell me please? __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

02-13-2008, 06:25 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Either superglue or white epoxy is what you need to repair this break. Make sure that both surfaces are very clean and follow the instructions on the package. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-13-2008, 06:36 PM	#3
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	John, I know there is now a superglue for porous material such as this, but my past experience with superglue is that after a period of time (months) the bond simply ceases to hold... at all! Have you used it on bone/stag? If so, how long has the bond held? __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

02-13-2008, 07:34 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	My suggestion would be epoxy... just make sure the surfaces are clean! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-13-2008, 07:41 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Dave, I agree with John...I use a lot of 5 minute epoxy and it seems to hold up well. Almost any of these types of glues are plastic and cannot be expected to be around forever. Particularly hard on them is UV rays..Sun. Jerry Burney __________________ 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."

02-14-2008, 11:09 AM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	One suggestion for healing a break... clean the break area thoroughly... I can't overemphasize this... Then before applying the epoxy... figure out how you are going to hold the piece in place with some good pressure to hold it in exactly the correct position. Some kind of jig. Finally apply the epoxy just enough to fill the break surfaces and press them hard together for at least 5 minutes. Once the piece has passed the 5 minute mark, then mix a little more epoxy and spread it very thinly on the back of the grip on both sides of the break. Not enough to make the grip stick out when installed, but enough to provide a surface of epoxy as a supplemental bond to the epoxy in the crack of the break. Once it has dried for at LEAST 24 hours, if you laid it on too thickly, then sandpaper it gently until the epoxy is reduced enough to get the grip back on. If you are fortunate enough that the back of the grip rests in a recess in the grip frame then put some extra epoxy in that area and don't bother thinning it down after drying. It will provide some additional strength. After all, you are never going to completely hide the fact that the grip got broken... it will never be one piece again, but it can be just as strong as one piece and be very serviceable if the epoxy is applied correctly. Good Luck and lets see your before and after results when you are done. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*