Thread: 99% done and DISASTER STRUCK! Germania Cutlery Works rebuild

Well this is the second one i have attempted and took some advice and made the scales rounded on the ends and the sides, and as far as im concerned they turned out awesome, i mean just look how that spacer blends in! I thought it was near perfect considering it was my second one ever even attempted, and first rounded first try.

Well i got the end pin in no problemo... Started pinning the pivot and get one side done, we are cookin with fire!!

Go to do the other side and BOOM! scale splits... I done kicked my vacuum, said things that would make a old salty sailor blush, and sat down and re considered some life choices....

Well i figured i would go ahead and share. Not quite all polished up but looks like im gonna have to re-do her anywho. But i made a trip to woodcraft and got all sorts of new wood to try, so maybe next time ill have better luck... Needless to say any pinning tips would be helpful!

My advice is to use a hand drill to clean the holes after the finishing process is done. The finish will build up and make a smaller hole than the 1/16 rod. As you say, BOOM.

If it split during the peening then there are several possible causes.
Were you using a thrust bearing and washers?

Relax that happens some times. You may have hit it too hard or it could be the grain in the wood. Take a deep breath and try again.

Yep , as bouschie stated,it happens. Here are a few tips to improve your odds. Your pin stock should not fit too tightly in the pin holes . Shorten up on the length of the pins as much as possible to reduce the amount of material being peened. Lighten up your peening , many little taps around the perimeter of the pin to reduce the possibility of crushing the pins which can swell their diameter in the pin holes thus splitting your scales. And lastly, practice your peening on a pair of popsicle sticks until you can get consistent results.

That weird little hook you've put on at the pivot end of the scales is a tight enough radius that the face grain is running out.. right across your pin... very weak spot. Not surprising that it split, especially with the coarse grain of the wood you've used.

When it comes to rounding off edges and profiling scales, you'll find that longer strokes with the rasp, strokes which move both parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the rasp, will help you eliminate some of those swells and bulges along the scale.

Just curious what size drill bit you are using. A 5/64 hole will add some clearance, a 1/16 hole will bulge and cause splitting.

Just wondering and hoping to help

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

That weird little hook you've put on at the pivot end of the scales is a tight enough radius that the face grain is running out.. right across your pin... very weak spot. Not surprising that it split, especially with the coarse grain of the wood you've used.

When it comes to rounding off edges and profiling scales, you'll find that longer strokes with the rasp, strokes which move both parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the rasp, will help you eliminate some of those swells and bulges along the scale.

When it comes to woodworking you might REALLY want to listen to what Ben is saying, the man knows just a wheeeeeee bit about shaping and working with wood


5/64 bit for use with 1/16 rod say it again when you peen the rod can get what is called a "Percussion Bulge" which will split wood scales without much effort at all... Great hints here already re-drill the hole after finish these guys nailed it all

Sorry to hear about the split. You always hope that if something is going to go wrong it will be in the beginning, but it never seems to do that. I always drill my holes at .067 since the brass rod I get is always a hair bigger than 1/16 and it allows the rod to move freely in the hole. I have never split the wood, but I have snapped the ends off the scales hitting to hard and glancing off the pin. After the first couple times of that I figured I should ease up on the hammer alittle. At least you still have one scale and you might be able to make another if you still have more wood. Don't sweat the small stuff mistakes are bound to happen.

its true, sometimes the rod bend and cause a broken scales, look at the Glens video on youtub, after that you will never broke a scales, i dont do after i watched that. thanks Glen

Thanks for all the advice everyone, so many to reply to so ill condense it! Sounds like i need to use a bigger drill bit and take more time peening it. Also need to look into the whole rasp thing. Had to hit up the google to figure out what you meant! I drilled the holes after i finished it, which seems to not be the best idea also. Ill try and re do it in the next few days with another type of wood and see how all the advice helps out