market for custom grips, stocks and forearms

[Ruffdaddy]

I found a few decent cheap CNCs for plastics, wood and soft metals that I wanted to pick up for prototypes. I also thought it would be easy to make custom grips and such out of nice woods when it wasn't turning prototypes. However I was wondering:

What is the market like for these...will I be able to sell a few a week?

What price would a custom grip, stock or forearm be?

Would a gun show be the best place to offer custom grips for graduations, weddings, anniverseries...etc?

[BMCSean]

I don't know about the gun stuff but a prosthetic will be tough to market.

[BMCSean]

But seriously, a website or etsy account or something like that will be your best bet.

[lilvega]

I would so a 3d printer over CNC machines. Much less waste and much, much faster overall. Plus a lot easier to make changes to your product.

[YALE]

Make me some real pearl grips.

[Ruffdaddy]

I would so a 3d printer over CNC machines. Much less waste and much, much faster overall. Plus a lot easier to make changes to your product.

Thought about it but the part quality of a 3rd print isn't near what cnc parts are. They just aren't as durable, and a quality 3d printer is way more expensive than a hobby cnc.

You also can't print wood...so there's that.

[Ruffdaddy]

:

Make me some real pearl grips.

Stupid question, and I've seen pearl grips, but what is the actual material? There's no way pearls naturally occur that large.

[lowthreeohz]

I thought it was mother of pearl

[YALE]

:

Stupid question, and I've seen pearl grips, but what is the actual material? There's no way pearls naturally occur that large.

Nacre veneer sheets. I've wanted to make some for a while. They require a backing, usually wood or pewter, and then a layer of nacre, then a layer of lacquer, so they show depth. You can also make them out of a polymer that looks like pearl, but they don't look right, just cheap. Some people do them in mosaic, and inlay the pieces in pewter. I honestly don't care, as long as they look good, feel smooth, and are reasonably durable.

[lilvega]

Thought about it but the part quality of a 3rd print isn't near what cnc parts are. They just aren't as durable, and a quality 3d printer is way more expensive than a hobby cnc.

You also can't print wood...so there's that.

I don't know what you are looking at as far as cnc pricing. But for 4k you can print a 10 x 10 x 9" part. The quality totally depends on the plastic powder you buy and the resolution of the printer. I have seen some amazing stuff.
This one prints up to 3 colors at once.

http://www.staples.com/CubeX-Trio-Commercial-3D-Printer/product_280603

Plus now you can print metals including titanium and stainless...

http://www.3dsystems.com/3d-printers/production/prox-300

[John -- '02 HAWK]

Here is your competition:

https://unique-ars.com/product-category/hand-guards/

http://www.wickedgrips.com/AR-15-aluminum-exotic-art-wicked-grips

[Ruffdaddy]

Nacre veneer sheets. I've wanted to make some for a while. They require a backing, usually wood or pewter, and then a layer of nacre, then a layer of lacquer, so they show depth. You can also make them out of a polymer that looks like pearl, but they don't look right, just cheap. Some people do them in mosaic, and inlay the pieces in pewter. I honestly don't care, as long as they look good, feel smooth, and are reasonably durable.

If I buy a cnc...you will be the one to help perfect the process then.

I don't know what you are looking at as far as cnc pricing. But for 4k you can print a 10 x 10 x 9" part. The quality totally depends on the plastic powder you buy and the resolution of the printer. I have seen some amazing stuff.
This one prints up to 3 colors at once.

http://www.staples.com/CubeX-Trio-Commercial-3D-Printer/product_280603

Plus now you can print metals including titanium and stainless...

http://www.3dsystems.com/3d-printers...ction/prox-300

I work with printed parts a lot for prototyping at work. We also just bought a metal printer...and the good ones are over $1MM...and the quality is like cast...not machined parts.

3d printers have their applications but to date the parts aren't near as strong as machined parts.

Here is your competition:

https://unique-ars.com/product-category/hand-guards/

http://www.wickedgrips.com/AR-15-alu...t-wicked-grips

So I'll design and patent new functional AR style stuff..but the grips I'm talking about are geared more towards 1911s, revolvers, fancy shottys...etc. I also design mechanical components for a living so detail will not scare me.

I would just need input from someone like dohctr, yale, CJ...etc that actually knows the firearm arena much better than me to know where is best to direct my efforts.

[John -- '02 HAWK]

So I'll design and patent new functional AR style stuff..but the grips I'm talking about are geared more towards 1911s, revolvers, fancy shottys...etc. I also design mechanical components for a living so detail will not scare me.

I was just giving you and a starting point and a look at the competitions prices.

Patent ar appearance items, ha good luck with that. Also the 1911 market is flooded with custom grip mfrs, seriously do a google. but since I'm not dohctr, yale, or CJ all of that doesnt really matter

[Ruffdaddy]

I was just giving you and a starting point and a look at the competitions prices.

Patent ar appearance items, ha good luck with that. Also the 1911 market is flooded with custom grip mfrs, seriously do a google. but since I'm not dohctr, yale, or CJ all of that doesnt really matter

I see...Thanks for the help!

[YALE]

Man, I'm down to help however, and I don't mind buying material to experiment with. I know that can be a hurdle.