Ed, Thanks for the compliment mate. It is coming together slowly but surely.
Started work on the scales trying to straighten the slight warp in them.
After several tries with the hair dryer no real change was seen. Here is the process i tried.
The scales were heated up on high setting with the hair dryer held about 1&1/2 inches from scales. I'm not sure how long to apply the heat and don't want to destroy them. When I felt they were ready (quite warm to the touch) placed them on a piece of 2 x 1" pine and then sat my DMT 325 plate on top of them to provide weight - scales loked flat on the piece of pine. After about 30 mins cooling off time, I checked how things were going. Tried varying the heat times but no real change happened. Tried flipping the scales other way up and tried several more times. Still no real change.
Next effort was try hot water - boiled water on stove top and let cool about 20 seconds. Dunk one scale -the one with the warp - in the hot water for about 30 seconds and lift out with tongs and set up same as before - scale flat on wood weighted down with the DMT plate. After 3 attempts and extending the times in hot water by another 10 seconds each time it looked better - but still had a bow in it.
Worked with other scale and got a small improvement with just a small bow in it now.
Then had to clean up the water scale deposits that formed from the dunks in hot tap water - noticed what could be a sign of trouble with one of the scales.
It looks like there are 3 small cracks in the pivot end of the front scale starting at the pivot pin hole. Could the hot water have caused this problem? Can it be overcome with a thin thrust washer glued in there (I would do it both sides for consistent looks) to strengthen the whole pivot pin area?
I'm very interested to hear what other restorers may recommend in this situation.
Thanks in advance for any advise and tips given - pics attached below.
First pic shows the pivot pin area
Next 2 show the bow in the scales
