My 1994 Semi-compact restoration/chop diary - Finished

[Underwhere]

Cleaning off Evaporust

Workday #4

I woke up early this morning to check on parts and clean them off. Definitely darker after 6 hours of fresh Evaporust.

I tried using a toothbrush to remove the finish but it wasn't having it so I opted for 0000 steel wool.

Some areas didn't remove so I have to sand them down manually. Obviously the hardest to reach and most annoying places.

Last time I did this I remembered that the black evaporust felt almost like seaweed. This time it was dry. I hope I left it sitting long enough and hope I got all of it off. I'm Sanding anyway.

Then back to acetone.

[Underwhere]

Working that beavertail

Workday #5

I couldn't wait for a 1911 beavertail. I'm going to experiment once again with straight welding on to add the beavertail.

Here we go.

First is to compare beavertails.
I have the same 3D printed gun stands.

A CZ75B polished with factory beavertail.
A Tanfoglio Limited Pro with factory beavertail.
Then my in-process Semi-compact

It appears that the Semi-compact needs to be extended about 1/4" rearward and upwards.

[Underwhere]

My first welding. Definitely better than the last gun.

I think I have the sides done well. I think I have the back OK.

If I have time tomorrow I'll start grinding and we'll see what happens.

I'm hopeful.

[Underwhere]

Some comparison pics back to the polished cz75b

[Underwhere]

I couldn't help but do the grinding tonight. I was going to put it down but it was calling out to me.

I dare say I may not even have to go back to the welder. This may be a 1 and done situation.

What a contrast from the last gun which I strung everyone along for maybe 6 months of welding pain.


What I did learn this time is to only work on the top and bottom first. Leave the sides alone until you are totally done with top and bottom.

This is because if you do the sides at all and you need to weld again the sides will pull back from the welding puddle and yol have to redo the side.

Once the top and bottom are fine (looking at the profile from the side) I will start to blend it from the centerline out to the edges to radius it.

Then the final step will be to bring the edges back to the same width of the existing beavertail.

At present I think the top and bottom look almost done.

Maybe some finish work tomorrow if I have free time.

[Underwhere]

Working that beavertail again

Workday #6

I spoke too soon. It's always the transitions from frame to new weld.

I'm trying to fill the transitions so there are no lines.

However this is much better than last time.

[viking499]

I like that tale.

[Underwhere]

Finishing the beavertail and more frame work

Workday #6 (double session)

I ended up welding 4 times and calling it done. Not perfect but much better than my previous attempts without as much pain. It's not perfect but I'm done.

I shoe shined it with 320 grit.

[Underwhere]

I couldn't stop so I beveled the nose of the frame. I hate the squared off front because if I press check it jams into my fingers.

Then I put the sear cage back in and tossed the slide on.

I smoothed out the back of the gun so everything would match up and the cage didn't protrude out so far and the slide matched the frame.

[Arko]

Anything new to post? I admire your work.

[Underwhere]

I have been trying to find the time to work on it. Busy with kids and life.

[JHP147]

I've really enjoyed your story!  Great craftsmanship.  Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see how it ends.

[Gunnerdad80]

Looks like you're having some fun man. Can't wait to see the finished product.   I dig the Tanfoglio in the other pics too.

[Underwhere]

You know there are a few things that have always bothered me about CZ's. One of them I have never tackled. I'm wondering whether I should.

At the nose of the gun the slide is scalloped ahead of the dust cover.
However the scallop never aligns with the beginning of the dust cover (frame). It's always protruding out.
I wonder if I should take off some of the metal on the slide so the slide scallop and the frame meet up. I'd have to get rid of maybe 1/4" of rail on the front of the slide too.

The Short Rail CZ's have the slide and frame mating up nicely.

[tneimeyer]

Enjoying the thread, wish I had the time and skills to do something similar, great job.