Thread: What are you working on?

I've wanted to make scales for a while, and found a video of scale making with hand tools only. Bought a coping saw and some 1/8th thick wood and got busy.

Mahogony scales with a paduak wedge for my Torrey.

Good work! This one is special and this one will always have a place in your rotation!

That looks great MrHouston! A little tip for your next set. Do the final shaping of the wedge and scales together. That’ll get everything nice and flush.

As BeJay said. I'll drill the holes and use microbolts to bolt the wedge in place after I got the angles right on it. Then finish the shaping of the wedge with a file or sander until I start to get into the scales. Then its a nice tight flush fit. Also when your shaping that end of the of the scales be sure to not round the inside edge. It can be finished shaping and sanding when its together before you get to pinning.
This all takes time to get right. When you start making more scales you will find that there is more to it than you think before its all perfect. Good luck and you did a fine job for a first try.

MrHouston, great to see, nice job!

Originally Posted by Gasman

Then finish the shaping of the wedge with a file or sander until I start to get into the scales. Then its a nice tight flush fit. Also when your shaping that end of the of the scales be sure to not round the inside edge.

I appreciate the encouragement and tips. I did final sanding with the scales and wedge together.

However, I did round the edges on the inside edge of the scales beforehand. Also, the scales are not angling out much from use of the wedge, so there is some gap at the back end where the wedge is narrow, but the scales don't follow. Combined, these make the scales and wedge look too separate.

I may try to use 2 pins closer to the back end next time, or just use a straight (parallel) wedge, or make the scales thinner so they will bend. Many things to try.

I have two projects I'm working on this afternoon. The first is a continuation of my scale straightening project from earlier this week. The second project is cleaning a vintage strop linen. I have it soaking in cold water with a bit of dish soap. I plan to scrub it later.

Okay, here's the strop after a soaking and a scrub with a new brush. There were tiny white flecks coming off the strop. You might be able to discern the water on the counter looks a little milky. What are the white flecks?

[QUOTE=Leatherstockiings;1790244]Okay, here's the strop after a soaking and a scrub with a new brush. There were tiny white flecks coming off the strop. You might be able to discern the water on the counter looks a little milky. What are the white flecks?
When I was cleaning a vintage Suntorbach I purchased, I soaked it in OXy clean and I think I even washed it. The first time out of the OXy my almost looked like it was packed full of the powder detergent. No matter how I rinsed it was just packed and white kept flaking off. I put it in the wash on delicate and after that it seems fine. Not sure if this is what you have going on or not just a thought

I too have an old fabric strop. And it looks about the same as yours. I found it felt a bit sticky so I washed it in the machine. Came out better but then I took a metal ruller on edge to the material for 50+ strokes. Washed it again and its better but it still feels like its got something what on it. It's not flaking off but its like a coating of something. I hung it up and havent played with it sense.

If you figure out what it takes to get yours clean again then post up what you did as I really like how tight the weave is.