Thread: How to efficiently cut slabs for scales?

Here again is the way to saw off blanks:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...g_Scale_Blanks

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...storation.html

I have done scales start to finish with hand tools and a coping saw works fine for cutting them out. A jewelers' saw is nice to have because the blades are finer for sawing some materials.
~Richard

I'm a woodworker who tinkers with toolmaking. i haven't had to buy anything new for rescaling straights. including wood. I saw with a bandsaw and thickness with a drum sander.

Originally Posted by Qatsats

Most of us suffer from "restoration equipment acquisition syndrome" and I commend your struggle against this and all tool acquisition addictions. There's a lot of great advice her, but I didn't find this one: ask a friend for help. You may not have the tool but he/she may have. Ask. It's a friendly thing to do.

The problem I have with producing thin stock in my shop is that I have a thickness planer and no drum sander.
1/8 inch scale stock often does not survive the thickness planer - even with sharp blades, stock double-sided taped to a backer-board, and a light touch on the thickness adjustment.
A basic, table-top Jet drum sander is more than $750.
I am grateful that others can provide beautiful, perfectly smooth/flat stock at a reasonable price.

Originally Posted by IndependenceRazor1

The problem I have with producing thin stock in my shop is that I have a thickness planer and no drum sander.
1/8 inch scale stock often does not survive the thickness planer - even with sharp blades, stock double-sided taped to a backer-board, and a light touch on the thickness adjustment.
A basic, table-top Jet drum sander is more than $750.
I am grateful that others can provide beautiful, perfectly smooth/flat stock at a reasonable price.

Maybe another option,they work great, STEWMAC.COM : Luthiers Friend Sanding Station

I'm not sure if I mentioned it in my earlier post, but I have thinned my scales from 1/8" stock by sticking the blank to my fingertips using really strong double sided duct tape. Dangerous but it works.

Originally Posted by Atchbo

I'm not sure if I mentioned it in my earlier post, but I have thinned my scales from 1/8" stock by sticking the blank to my fingertips using really strong double sided duct tape. Dangerous but it works.

You could try using the duct tape to stick a long handle to the piece you wish to flatten. Then dry sand it on 80 grit and then 150 and then wet sand it on finer papers. I often use a scraper to finish the surface and contour the scales.
Coarse sanding is quite quick.
~Richard