Thread: Third set of scales (Lots of pictures)

After seeing my first set of practice scales I was just starting to work on, BHChieftain was brave enough to hand over a hrazor he had with broken scales, and ask if I'd like to tackle it as a project. Being the foolhardy sort, I said yes. Here's the result:

First, here's the blank after the first rough pass on the bandsaw. It's bubinga, same as my first project.



After drilling the blank, then cutting it in half:



Next step is sanding to thickness on a belt sander. Note the X's to help me remember which side goes in.



Finally, I refined the shape and did the finish sanding, then applied some Homer Formby's Tung Oil Finish. I learned from the first project that at least some finish is handy at this stage, because later, it's difficult to get it inside the scales.



I made a wedge out of poplar (sorry no picture). I made the angle shallower than the first project so the scales would be more parallel. I then pinned the wedge end together.

Here's where I discovered that I had measure the wedge incorrectly, and hadn't left enough room for the blade. There was much nashing of teeth, beating of the breast, and wearing of sack-cloth over that, I can tell you.

The Dremel made short work of the pin, but some of the wood, too, so it was back to sanding, finishing, and pinning.

After all that, I bravely (since, unlike my previous projects, this blade didn't belong to me) pinned the blade into the scales, with 0.002" washers between the blade and the scales. (Made them out of brass shim stock.)

I ended up doing a lot more finishing after pinning everything up. Ever coat of Formby's makes the finish a little deeper, and I kept not being quite satisfied.

Here's the result:







I'm up against my per-message image allotment, so a few more follow...

Fred

A couple more pics, with the blade extended.





Hope you like 'em, Chief!

Fred

It looks like it turned out pretty well.

One thing to consider would be getting some of the microfasteners bolts to do test fittings before you put your real pins in. That would save you some of the headache of wedge fitting.

Excellent idea! I'll hit Small Parts...

Fred

+1 on the microfasteners, they're a godsend. That's another attractive razor Fred, I like the low key shape, and it looks as if there's some "life" in that bubinga - not a wood I care for much unless it has that shimmer when it catches the light.

if it was my work i'd be quite happy with myself right now

ian

Wow! Great job! Those scales look great and really compliment the blade!

Originally Posted by fpatton

Hope you like 'em, Chief!

Fred

Looks fantastic! I can't wait to take it out for a drive!

Thanks a ton,
-Chief