Thread: What are you working on?

Plus everything except the wax is volatile, which of course is why waxes dry. And that's about all the chemistry I have in me for one day.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

You Workshop regulars might remember me breaking a couple of nearly finished wooden scale sets earlier this summer, both highly-figured and more fragile than I thought at scale thicknesses.

Glad to see you'll get some amount of use from those lovely scales. Waiting for the return of the mallee burl. That wood was amazing.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Benzene is the worry but @ less than 0.1 %, mebe not so worriesome

But Oz, there is a ton of that in cigarette tobacco, how harmful could it be?

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

You Workshop regulars might remember me breaking a couple of nearly finished wooden scale sets earlier this summer, both highly-figured and more fragile than I thought at scale thicknesses. Though I was ready to scrap both and start over, I managed to rescue the desert ironwood set by epoxying them both together at the break and on to a G10 liner for stability (some sketchy improvised clamping also helped!). I didn't expect it to work, but it's holding up fine if only because I just made a spacer out of turquoise recon instead of a wedge. I don't think these scales would survive much bending even on G10. I was going for sort of a scimitar look to complement the blade etch on this S. Karam. I'm sure you can see the crack. Maybe next summer I'll make another set without a crack lol!
Meanwhile, I will probably back most future wooden rescales with G10, especially on the highly-figured woods I favor! (By the way, the red mallee burl set I broke is on the bench going through some CA coats and waiting for sanding and polishing-we'll see, but looks good so far).

Awesome Aaron! I'm glad you pulled those out of the fire. I know I was very vocal about trying to save those. Those came out really nicely! I think my work here is done.

Yeah, you inspired me to try to save them. I think your quote/sig. line applies here. I get a lot out of this forum, and just getting ideas and input from fellow razor geeks. As I tell my students often, we learn the most from our mistakes.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I get a lot out of this forum, and just getting ideas and input from fellow razor geeks. As I tell my students often, we learn the most from our mistakes.

+1 I've learned a lot from my mistakes, mostly it seems the lessons "stick" better than just hearing/reading about it.

Many a year ago I helped the 17 year old son of a friend rebuild the front suspension on a '69 Camaro. I tore down one side and replaced bushings etc then reassembled with him watching and helping then I supervised while he tore down and replaced bushing etc.

His biceps were about the size of my wrist and when he was installing the upper A-frame he failed to recall that I'd lubed the outside of the new bushings with some Vasoline and had used a large tapered punch to pry the piece back into place.

His strength left him and the A-frame was 'stuck' so he let go, turned his head and said "Roy it won't go any--------------------------BANG! That A-frame hit him squarely along side of his head.

While he was under the car moaning I said "Chad, you just learned a lesson I could have talked about for hours upon hours and wouldn't remember as well as you will now/you will NEVER EVER AGAIN leave a part unbolted or some how secured ever again".

I still see him once in awhile and ask him if he's been working on a car. He just smiles and said he remembers that lesson and in fact had shared it with his own son--who now has that same Camaro-----

Originally Posted by RezDog

But Oz, there is a ton of that in cigarette tobacco, how harmful could it be?

Almost worth a Thanks as a useful post mate. Made me laugh hard.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

.....As I tell my students often, we learn the most from our mistakes.

If that's the case then I should be the most learned man on Earth.

Roy had sent me a blade and some scale blanks. He told me he didn't know what kind of wood it was but....

I went at it today and made some scales out of the wood. Figured it would be best to dress the blade he gave me in them. Here are the scales ready for pinning...


Different lighting...


They are extremely flexible. Must have a lot of resin in them. But they sure look nice! There you go Roy. Hope you like them.