Thread: how to reduce bone width to make scales

hi everyone,

i think to work on with bone to do some scales for a blade. but the bones i found are too thick. as i never worked on this material i was wondering if some of you know how to reduce the thickness of bone?


i thought already to use sand papier but i afraid that will take too many time so i don't know if there is some other technics to do this work faster .

You either cut it or use abrasives (sanding) how much time it takes should not be a concern.

If you're hand sanding it will take a lot of work but any belt type sander will make short work of it.
For more control you can make up this rig and use a palm sander.

I did one set that I used a very coarse file for the gross reduction and then went to a sanding block. When I was using the file I had the slab held in place with a strip of carpet tape. They are very nice when finished. Camel bone is pretty sweet but even the old cow bone with all the pick marks in it is pretty cool.

My technique is to attach the slabs to a wood backer with double sided tape. This accomplishes two things, it serves as a handle while working it on the belt sander and prevents the bone from flexing as it gets thinner. Flatten one side of each slab then attach that side to the backer and finish to final desired thickness. Band saw the scales profile,tape both scales together, drill the pin holes and refine the profile with the drum sander. I also use a backer when tapering the wedge.

If your doing alot of scale work,This is the best way IMO.
2601:204:cb00:3741:10e:6980:3875:4f05
2601:204:cb00:3741:10e:6980:3875:4f05

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

If your doing alot of scale work,This is the best way IMO.
2601:204:cb00:3741:10e:6980:3875:4f05
2601:204:cb00:3741:10e:6980:3875:4f05

That's easy for you to say....

Honestly working with Bone quite often, I would never attempt it without either Power or at least a REALLY good quality Pull Saw

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

If your doing alot of scale work,This is the best way IMO.
2601:204:cb00:3741:10e:6980:3875:4f05
2601:204:cb00:3741:10e:6980:3875:4f05

i'm not sure about its meaning


for info, i will work manuel , not with any machine that's why i was wondering about the time. for the palm sand, it looks smart i need to give it a try.

about the bone i've found, is from a camel (i think so). tomorrow or this weekend i will start to work on it, so before i read some in SRP to have information and known. because i have just one shot if i mess up i won't have other bones in short time.

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