Thread: Brian's First Blade

Also, I'm really having a hard time deciding what type of pin/washer setup to use. Leaning towards stacked large and small brass with brass rod, but I'm keeping my options and my mind open. Suggestions?

Originally Posted by medicevans

Also, I'm really having a hard time deciding what type of pin/washer setup to use. Leaning towards stacked large and small brass with brass rod, but I'm keeping my options and my mind open. Suggestions?

personally i love the look of stacked brass with brass pin.

Don't know about acetone, but I used to use ammonia to degrease scales before applying CA.
Big mistake.
Try it if you have a scrap of purpleheart left.

It turns icky green. Not good.

Teaser shot. Should be complete tonight!

Ps, I didn't go with stacked washers. Not exactly anyway.......

Am I next in line ?

Looking good Brian, almost there mate.

No, there. Never thought this day would come!!

These aren't great pictures; I have nicer ones on my camera. However, the brand new charger we just bought for the laptop crapped out, so you guys get phone pics through tapatalk. I will post the nice camera pictures in the Custom Builts and Restorations place.

You can see some of the issues I had with the finish never drying, or more accurately, not sticking to the wood. I sanded WAY TOO HIGH before I used the finish. I was chasing the burl figure with the sandpaper instead of using the finish to bring it out. Next time I won't make that mistake. If these scales don't last, I will just re-do them. No big deal there.

I'll be sending it off to Glen for "the treatment", so look out whiskers, here comes a fine grained whisker wacker! (Credit Charlie Lewis for that last quote. )

More pictures.....

These are the washers. I put a large flat washer on a piece of mahogany, then wacked it with a dremel burr and hammer. It drove the middle down faster than the sides. They have small washers behind them for backing/support.