checkered Desert Ironwood
 

OK, Here's what I've been working on!

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...odcheckard.jpg

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...odcheckard.jpg

Don't know if I will do very many of these! This wood was very hard on my tools,and took for ever to do lol.

Man, that's pretty woodgrain! You do a really nice job on the grips Sparkie. What is your secret to getting the screw slots "clocked" the same way? I know they didnt' just happen to line up like that. Beings you're an electrician, I know you wouldn't have left them mis-matched. My wife thinks I'm looney when I turn all the cover plate screws vertical.
As far as the screws in the cover plates go....tell your wife it's just one little way to tell the professional from the amateur. the latter would not take the time to line them up!!!

Very beautiful!!!

Hey Hoss, Thank you very much! As far as the screws....all I do Is,run them all in till they just start to snug up. at that point I try to get an idea which way they want to point When they are tight (if you know what I mean?) I don't over tighten any of them! usualy I can get three to line up pretty easy. Then I thighten the last one, sometimes i have to overtighten just a little,then back it off till they line up! of course it doesn't alway's work!!
I would say they best way is to just go to home depot and buy the little O rings!:rock:

TDS, Thank you too brother!! I think I'm gonna get some boxelder burl next:D

Around here, the early Pioneers called the Black Locust "Ironwood" and used it for wagon axles, etc. Very heavy, dense, strong wood. Is that the same stuff? I've got a couple in my back yard with some large, dead limbs that I've got a tree guy coming to trim off. Is it worth keeping the wood?

Those grips are beautiful - nice job!

Thank you ......and yes, from what I've read it is the same stuff,they use to use it for bearings in the wagon wheels!!

Sparkie, How in the hell did you edit my post? You guys have mad computer skills!

More beautiful grips. You have the "artist's eye" and "craftsman's touch." Well done.

LOL! I have no idea??? Now thats funny,I was trying to edit mine!! Sorry,I had no idea that I did that(or how)