Tricky is the max weight limits of the screws to the wood. Sure, the hand compresses the grip to the body, so the stress is seemingly not an issue. However, that remains true while you are shooting. When the camera is carried in hand at the ready, the grip of your hand is different. The stresses, as proved on version 1, are at the portion inside between the lugs and the lens. In version 1 was the problem of eventual cracking from the weight of the lenses and the torque of the holding.
In version 2 the screws were moved closer to the lugs and a broader screw with coarse threads, but cracking occurred again.
Then was born version 3, inspired by a request from an eager photographer who seemed to like the version 2, had commissioned a grip for his needs. Seeing that this was to be sold to someone and I can't tinker with it later, a more complex retention system was formulated for much more heavier use. It was equipped with a spring to keep it locked and yet requires a simple coin to remove.
Above is version 4 a highly modified latch compared to version 3 and the wood grip was over built just because I liked the beefy feel of the left hand grip and so why not, but the crazy curves are functional. For balance and will accommodates differing holds I use... even vertical. I've even sculpted in the provision for my 'low speed' with 'spread fingered' hold I've successfully used many times now and this grip is equipped with a cover to prevent the MLU from being accidentally struck.
So, back to version 5... higher strength plate and a more choice selection of screws to hold it all together. When I'm off my medical issues, I'll see what I cut together, but for now is the joy of the current and functioning very well version 4.
Update: I'm slowly looking for a new/broken body to make copies of the lugs and create a jig to test the grip plates. At the same time, I'm trying to mill a pair of lugs from high strength bolts while the hunt for real spare lugs continues.
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