Thread: A Naked Italian Lady...

I've a bunch of razors with broken scales and you've inspired me to get to work rehabbing these old soldiers.

Originally Posted by red96ta

Lol...Now every mod in town is gonna have to check this out with a title like that

Some of you have been following me as I bought a poorly repinned naked lady razor and ended up busting the scales all to pieces. Here's the before pic:



I ended up gluing the pieces all back together and casting a new set of scales using some casting resin from Hobby Lobby. When things are cast, they kinda come out like those model kits you got as a kid. This one had to have all the flash removed and a bit of sanding to even it all up, but all the detail was there. After a bit of sanding, I made a wedge using recon stone. The original had been pinned but the scales had an integral wedge design that I removed in order to make a better mould of the design. So to make a long story short, cast urethane scales, nickel pins, brass washers, recon stone wedge, all mated to a G. Bressi Torino 5/8 wedge I had laying around the house.



You can see a tiny weld spot where I glued the pieces back together at the pin. I could have blended it out, but didn't feel like spending the time on it. You can see it in the photo, but it's barely noticeable when you inspect the razor.


The urethane polishes up just as well as vintage celluloid...

Originally Posted by scott64a

What did you use to make the molds?

Do they sell clear epoxy for this?

The kit I used includes RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone rubber for the moulding material. According to Neil Miller on the subject, epoxy as a scale making material will likely come out too brittle. I'm using Urethane. I do, however, have an email to the manufacturer to see if their water clear is a urethane since I think it would be awesome to have fancy scales in either clear or translucent.

Well now... is the urethane available at Hobby Lobby, too? I need to mold some scales, m8.

Originally Posted by scott64a

Well now... is the urethane available at Hobby Lobby, too? I need to mold some scales, m8.

Yes. Go to Hobby Lobby and get either the Mini Casting Kit or the Super Casting Kit. If you get the Mini, you'll have enough RTV to make a 2 scale mold. The Super Kit can make a 6-scale mold. The urethane in either kit is enough to make a bag of extra scales...I've taken some pics of a project and I'm planning on making a tutorial for you guys in the next couple days...stay tuned in the Workshop.

Looks like a trip to Hobby Lobby is in order then. I'm sure there are dyes, too... I want to do a clear amber set, and try to cast a little metal devil in it.

Urethane Liquid Plastic Casting Resin from Smooth-On, Inc

This place has the different resins that you are after..

Traveler/Gary used to cast resins look at some of his old threads

Hmm... at $177 per gallon... I'm not so sure.
I'm gonna check Hobby Lobby first.

Oh, wait a sec... there are sample sizes.
Hmm.

Excellent work on the scales. Fine job indeed.

Stu

Talk about saving a lady in trouble. That is a nice resto and a great pointer on casting the scale!