Thread: What are you working on?

Nice job! What did you use as epoxy filler?

Originally Posted by Eurofighter

Nice job! What did you use as epoxy filler?

Many thanks!

I rebuilt the missing section in two stages, in the first stage the epoxy was filled with powdered charcoal, and the second stage, the part that was shaped to create what you see, the epoxy was filled with the filings from rebating the inside of the scale to take the insert. I didn't have enough filings to do the whole lot, which is the reasoning for doing it in two stages. As you can see, the new section is slightly lighter in colour, but it is close enough for me. I like the idea of a restoration which is not noticed by the casual observer, but visible to the discerning eye.

If you try it with your scales, powdered charcoal works well to get a black colour, and you can finish the restoration with superglue, which will take a polish.

All this has been learned on this board, there are others far more accomplished than myself. It seems most of the discussion of these techniques I have read here has been about horn scales, possibly because they are often really worth restoring, but the same techniques apply to other materials

Its a pretty slick way of saving the original equipment.. Eh.!!

Originally Posted by outback

Its a pretty slick way of saving the original equipment.. Eh.!!

Yes. This razor was in a replacement set of scales for a year, and the old scales were in the parts box. It is not a special razor, a generic Solingen with no known maker, though a very sound razor nonetheless. But every time I went in the box, these scales spoke to me quietly... in the end I could not leave the thing unfinished.

I am becoming very careful what I acquire, because once anything gets in the system, whether a razor, strop, or whatever, it will be there until it's fullest potential has been realised.

The Chabaz scales are also a bit warped in the silver inlay area

Originally Posted by Eurofighter

The Chabaz scales are also a bit warped in the silver inlay area

That is not a big deal. As you are planning to dismantle them anyway, they should straighten out with a bit of heat and pressing. Lots of expert posts on here about how to do that. If it was my razor and I wasn't planning to take it apart, I wouldn't worry about it unless it was actually causing a problem.

Of course, if you want to fabricate new scales, that is also a very valid approach.

Cheers!

My idea was to just replace the scales with some pre made ones, made from the same material. I ditched the wooden scales early on as I do not have a workshop. I also like the simple clean look of the black scales. The only 5/8 scales that I could find are red and that would be ok for me. Now you've pointed out that I could repair the old ones and I am really intrigued.
When you fill in the missing piece, do you just pour in the resin as a blob, or layer it?

Originally Posted by Eurofighter

My idea was to just replace the scales with some pre made ones, made from the same material. I ditched the wooden scales early on as I do not have a workshop. I also like the simple clean look of the black scales. The only 5/8 scales that I could find are red and that would be ok for me. Now you've pointed out that I could repair the old ones and I am really intrigued.
When you fill in the missing piece, do you just pour in the resin as a blob, or layer it?

I think one pour should be fine. I find if you trim it roughly to size with a knife when it has just gone off, you save yourself a lot of work later. I think the key with your scales will be finding some way of restoring the structural integrity of the scale as well as the look. One way is a liner or insert as I did.

Quite a juicy project you have, I would enjoy that one! Again, there is much reading on here written by people with far more expertise and experience than me. No doubt they will chime in any minute now...

I think I have nothing to lose.
Now... what to use as an insert? I like what you have done with the brass piece.

Originally Posted by Eurofighter

I think I have nothing to lose.
Now... what to use as an insert? I like what you have done with the brass piece.

Dead right. I used 0.3mm brass sheet.