Thread: RAD it's a desease

Well I've done it again. I think the blade will clean up fairly well but I don't know yet about the scales. one side looks good and the other has a crack. I don't know whether to repair with epoxy or just go a head and make new scales. there's a very small nick in the edge from the looks it might be .015-.020 and should hone out ok. just wondering has anyone repaired bone like this before. I have one other Joseph Rodgers and son about the same size. this will make a pair if I can get the scales looking good. the other is bone scales also.

I have stabilized a crack with CA on a set of bone scales that seems to have worked. It has not seen much action since the repair so it is really hard to tell how well it worked. The crack I dealt with was shorter than that one, but a wedge crack all the same. You can always try it and make a second side when the need arrises again. For my repair I took the scales apart and cleaned it up before applying the glue and sanding. A also did a quick clean with lacquer thinner before putting the glue to them.

Sounds like a plan. just one thing. CA. is this an epoxy or something like crazy glue or Gorilla glue. I know there's a difference in bone. cow or camel or I really don't know how many different ones there are out there. if I do latter find I have to make another side where can I find the bone or would I be better off using horn. I think I know where I can get the camel bone.

There are some sellers on eBay that sell horn and bone.

CA has a $2 name and it is the same glue as crazy glue. I used it because I only need a tiny bit and it is thin and penetrates, drying clear. When it comes time to replace it there are two ebay sellers that I have gotten bone banks from. I have bought camel bone because it looks great once it is finished. I have some cow drying in the shed and will play around with that soon enough. It is not slabs though.

Originally Posted by RezDog

CA has a $2 name and it is the same glue as crazy glue. I used it because I only need a tiny bit and it is thin and penetrates, drying clear. When it comes time to replace it there are two ebay sellers that I have gotten bone banks from. I have bought camel bone because it looks great once it is finished. I have some cow drying in the shed and will play around with that soon enough. It is not slabs though.

I looked at maggard web page and they have bone. with the glue would you warm up the scales with the crack before applying the glue not hot just a little warm. maybe then the glue would penetrate better or just room temp. I've never worked with bone is it real brittle. I've used two sided tape then a ban saw on acrylic and horn before with no problem. I guess bone I would have to go slower.

I would not bother warming the material before gluing it up. It will suck into the bone easily enough . As far as working with new bone it is a little on the brittle side but I just go a little slower. It chips and splinters on the band saw easily if you don't go slow. It is kind of like very brittle or easily splintered wood as far as sawing goes. I find it quite easy to work with. It will get hot and burn if you push it too fast on the sander. Many people complain about the smell. I have a very good dust collection system and don't really notice it. I just use the same tools as I do for wood and make sure I take my time and all has been just fine. You will do well.

Just got back and picked this one up at the post office. it turns out I believe that the scales are ivory. Looks like some one closed it to tight and that's what caused the crack. Also after looking at it closely I may just remake the scales out of horn. I have two sets that are waiting to be finished that should work well. The blade is in pretty good shape with just a small amount of rust at the hinge pin area. I sure do hate it. It would have been nice to have it as original as possible but we do what we can.

Save those old scales you never know when you will want a piece or perhaps you may even decide to fix them up.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I looked at maggard web page and they have bone. with the glue would you warm up the scales with the crack before applying the glue not hot just a little warm. maybe then the glue would penetrate better or just room temp. I've never worked with bone is it real brittle. I've used two sided tape then a ban saw on acrylic and horn before with no problem. I guess bone I would have to go slower.

Like Rezdog said, I wouldn't warm it up. The CE is the same thing as super glue. I have heard it sets faster with moisture. Maybe once it is stuck pretty good & not moving, you might make a few passes over some steam. It should be very strong once fixed. I use it on broken scales all the time & it seems to be stronger than it was before!

Originally Posted by RezDog

Save those old scales you never know when you will want a piece or perhaps you may even decide to fix them up.

I always save my old scales. You never know when you might need one or even make a pattern from them & more.