Thread: What are you working on?

Got me a new pot to use for my vacuum chamber.

Used it for that hunk of grape root, and it passed first pull test without imploding!

Been cleaning up some walnut to make a weekender two razor travel strop case for a fellow member. Will be the 4th of these I’ve made, but first entirely out of walnut.
Have the main body to desired size and am turning the piece that will make up the opposing ends of the strop. Should be purdy.


And say, that craftsman looks very familiar. Glad I got it out of the faux tortoise gassers before they shrank to that extent.
It’s In the project box for the winter from a good friend..

Originally Posted by MikeB52

And say, that craftsman looks very familiar. Glad I got it out of the faux tortoise gassers before they shrank to that extent.
It’s In the project box for the winter from a good friend..

I was wondering about a good source for 1/8" thick faux tortoise for scales. inventables.com has some but the shipping cost is insane.

Originally Posted by jmabuse

I was wondering about a good source for 1/8" thick faux tortoise for scales. inventables.com has some but the shipping cost is insane.

Polyester Tortuga East 1/8"
Some sheets are better than others, but the above I have used.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Polyester Tortuga East 1/8"
Some sheets are better than others, but the above I have used.

And double check your order because many of the sheets are 5" long. I have bought also from some of the larger knife maker supply houses.
Have fun, it is nice stuff to work with..Kirinite, that is.
~Richard
PS, There is some made by companies that make a similar product for guitar restorers. Looks exactly like the photos there. It was a cellulose and not very stiff. Bought some...drat! Gave it to a local guitar repairman.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Got me a new pot to use for my vacuum chamber.

Used it for that hunk of grape root, and it passed first pull test without imploding!

Consider wrapping some tape on glass containers that you pull a vacuum on.
Perhaps window screen taped on. Or a cover made with screen or hardware cloth.
Implosions are notorious....

Good point regarding implosion risks nifty. Tape, or window tint film would certainly help day to day.
I actually place the glass jar in a lidded rubbermade tote the first few pulls till I am confident in the glass strength. That, and only buy Corning or anchor hocking quality decanters.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Good point regarding implosion risks nifty. Tape, or window tint film would certainly help day to day.
I actually place the glass jar in a lidded rubbermade tote the first few pulls till I am confident in the glass strength. That, and only buy Corning or anchor hocking quality decanters.

The first labs I worked in all had heavy bell jars and vacuum plates.
A decade later they all had protective covers.

Pumps from refrigerators can pull a serious vacuum...
At 14 pounds per square inch the energy adds up.
Now I need to go find the MythBuster video of a collapsing tank car
filled with live steam, sealed, cooled. Cawhoomph...

Originally Posted by Geezer

Hoping to have the Packwood done for a late shave on Sunday.

It may be possible but this has been a real problem for my efforts!
~Richard

Wow - that looks awesome, beautiful razor, one that is on my list, love the Thiers inspired scales design, that is one beautiful looking razor, and will be a stellar shave.....

Don't worry too much Mike, it's EXplosions that are the worries. Tc

A little Revlon Color Silk for some old horn scales. I’ve read about others dying horn but this is my first attempt. They’re looking pretty dark in there. I’m going to give them an hour in the dye, then let them dry over night. I sanded them to 600 grit so hopefully they will polish up well without removing much dye.