Test of courage: 1911 front strap checkering

[pklin1297]

Okay, maybe "test of courage" is a bit much, but like other 1911 modifications that requires cutting into major components, front strap checkering can be a test of patience and nerves... It took a long time for me to actually work up the nerve to do this mod but decided to try it anyway. I am not finished yet but was able to finish filing all the guide lines in about two hours with little breaks in between. I will work on pointing the diamonds next week. The jig used was from Power Customs. I'm doing 25 LPI and that is a 1911builders' 7075 frame. Here are the pics:

Sanding down the high spots on the front strap. It is actually very even with no noticeable high spots with the exception of what looked to be a flat spot in the middle of the front strap (cast line?).




Setting up the jig to cut the first horizontal lines. I aligned the lines to the magazine lip cutout in the bottom of the frame.




Laid out all the horizontal lines; just needed to deepen them a bit. It is recommended that you cut each set of lines to the depth the checkering file will allow, so you have good lines to follow when cutting the next lines.




Setting up the jig to cut the first vertical lines.




After removing the jig, I used Dykem on the front strap to see the lines I'm cutting.




Finished cutting all the guide lines. Next comes the tedious and hard work; cutting all lines to equal depth and pointing up the diamonds.








Will update with finished pics when I'm done. Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

[seal20]

That's nice man. Good work!

[sealocan]

I read your thread and was thinking...

" Nooooooo !!! "


But then looking at your final picture, I've got to change that to...

" looks good, congratulations ! "

[CityHunt3r]

Good job you got some balls

[Treb5]

Great job. I've been considering this on a couple of my 1911's. Eager to see the final product.

Thanks for posting.

[bigger hammer]

I remember sitting in Armand Swenson's living room, talking with him, while he checkered a 1911 front strap freehand. It was amazing to watch!

[pklin1297]

I remember sitting in Armand Swenson's living room, talking with him, while he checkered a 1911 front strap freehand. It was amazing to watch!

One thing I realized from watching some videos, was that the jig (some anyway) are only there to set up the first set of lines, and then the jig is removed and you're left to cut the rest of the lines on your own... That alone was what held me back from trying this for the longest time.

Just sitting with Mr. Swenson is amazing enough.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Wow, that looks great.

Excellent job OP.

[curtru]

Awesome work how hard was it?

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

[pklin1297]

After my recent 1911 build, where I had quite a bit of "on the job" training with filing, this first part of the checkering job was easier than my mind made it to be. That and I read so many posts where people swore they would never checker again due to the difficulty and effort required, I really thought it would be harder than it turned out to be. Then again, the next part is the harder part so I hope I can do it.

[mtenenhaus]

great job....how did you like working with the Power Customs guide?

[pklin1297]

great job....how did you like working with the Power Customs guide?

If you notice from my second picture, the one showing the jig set up for horizontal line cutting, the jig wraps around the circumference of the front strap. That helps a lot because you have a guide as you cut across the frame. Some jigs, like the brownells one, does not follow the curvature so you have to be sure your file does not wander on the second half of the cut. It helps also that this Power Custom's jig is the cheapest jig, that I could find anyway.

[BDJ]

Nice work man! I think it looks fantastic!

[pklin1297]

Nice work man! I think it looks fantastic!

Thanks, hopefully it'll look better when it is finally done!

[03fatboy]

Test of courage: 1911 front strap checkering

When pointing up, be patient and take your time. Stay straight and don't get in a hurry. It don't take much to screw it up and yes the points take a awhile. It will look terrible for a bit, but when the points come is a real nice feeling.

I haven't done a frame yet but have practiced on a pipe. First one was a bit rough, haha