Springfield Custom Shop work

**green338** · 03-08-13, 14:41

What's the difference between hand and machine checkering?

**sl4mdaddy** · 03-08-13, 14:44

The hand checkering is done by hand, the machine checkering is done by machine.

Just a wild guess.....

**green338** · 03-08-13, 14:51

Originally Posted by sl4mdaddy

The hand checkering is done by hand, the machine checkering is done by machine.

Just a wild guess.....

You're correct, but let me rephrase the question; what's the difference in looks? Does it look the same?

**texasgunhand** · 03-08-13, 15:14

the machine checkering will be more consistant,and prob. less expensive becouse hand would take more time,and you will be charged by the hour,also take a good look at their jobs before you let anyone touch it.to get a good hand checker job, it will need to be done by a master,, any good handjob cost money!lol...

I think you should take a close look at both and then decide what you want.as far as looking the same i would say yes and no, you need to look at both,and decide which one you like best, sometimes more expensive isnt what you want,BUT normaly it cost more becouse of attention to detail, is this for the frame or grip, if its on the front grip you might look into skateboard grip tape, i put a piece on my front grip 15 years ago and its still there today as fresh as ever. and you can buy a huge sheet for like 5 bucks. if its some kind of wood, i like hand checkering becouse of the detail,but it cost.

**green338** · 03-08-13, 15:17

Originally Posted by texasgunhand

the machine checkering will be more consistant,and prob. less expensive becouse hand would take more time,and you will be charged by the hour,also take a good look at their jobs before you let anyone touch it.to get a good hand checker job, it will need to be done by a master,, any good handjob cost money!lol...

I'm sending it to Springfield Custom Shop. I'll probably not be able to differentiate the two, but I figured I'd ask.

**BBossman** · 03-08-13, 15:30

With the advancement of fixtures and tooling, I think machine checkering is superior. Hand checkering is only worth the expense if you want to be able to say your gun was hand checkered. Both have the potential to look like shit if not done by someone who knows the ins and outs of each.

Many of the more "experienced" smiths have moved away from hand checkering due to the physical toll it takes on wrists, elbows and eyes. Guys like Pete Single and some others have taken machine checkering to a high art.

There are some pretty good videos on YouTube showing each being done.

**theJanitor** · 03-08-13, 15:31

When the machine job is done right, it's very difficult to say that the hand checkered jobs are better

If it's for anything other than a show piece, I'd opt for machine checkering. It's cheaper, sometimes faster, and your gunsmith's elbows might last another year.

**green338** · 03-08-13, 15:39

It's a $50 difference between machine and hand checkering. I initially thought machine checkering would be more precise/consistant.

**BBossman** · 03-08-13, 16:08

I'm not affiliated with Mr. Harp, nor have I ever seen his work in person.

Just FYI...

Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STaUN6XaZNI

Hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvhpLzzg-0