Thread: Making translucent scales

I love the look of the clear and translucent scales some of you guys do, and I'm wondering where I can get some of these materials. Are they available at any brick-and-mortar stores, or do you have to order online?

Also, what tools to you use for cutting and polishing them?

Thanks,
Josh

Josh,

I didn't find any neat colored sheets at the usual places and never fully explored the brick-n-morter world of plastics. But, there are lots of websites that carry this stuff. Some are: http://www.ridoutplastics.com, http://www.usplastic.com, and http://www.modernplastics.com. There's usually much more of a choice with acrylic sheet, but you need to be careful not to let it get too warm and melt. One thing I've done is to use a finer tooth on the jigsaw. Sometimes the stuff will just chip and act up. There are special bits and blades you can buy for working with plastics too. Some of the knife supply houses carry beautiful marbelized acrylic blanks, but it's usually a little too small (and often too thick) for us razor dudes.

Good luck and have fun,
Steve

Hey Josh,

I like clear handles too. In middle school we worked with acrylic and it's not too hard at all. of course that was when I was younger and had taken less blows to the head.
I was thinking about starting to re scale some of the ebay specials that I had recieved with less then perfect scales using acrylic. Let me know how your projects come along.
Also, anyone know what thickness I should try?

I used Plexiglas for mine. The thickness was around 1/8". you can cut the outline shape with a copying saw, but it is difficult and time consuming. The material melts and catches up on the blade if you go too fast.

The fastest way is to visit your local, uhm, the shop that makes key chains, nameplates, e.t.c?? and have them cut the shape with a laser.

I have shaped mine with power grinder, and then progressed with 80, 150, 320, 500, 800, 1200 grit sandpaper. You can go to 2000, and polish with your favorite metal polish...


The absolute easiest way is to visit Bill Ellis's web site, and get a pair or two of the plexi scales I did for him a while ago. For 20$, they are good buy... They are satin finished, and if you want them polished, you can sand them down with some 800, 1200, 2000, and polish...



Nenad

Originally Posted by superfly

I used Plexiglas for mine. The thickness was around 1/8". you can cut the outline shape with a copying saw, but it is difficult and time consuming. The material melts and catches up on the blade if you go too fast.

The fastest way is to visit your local, uhm, the shop that makes key chains, nameplates, e.t.c?? and have them cut the shape with a laser.

I have shaped mine with power grinder, and then progressed with 80, 150, 320, 500, 800, 1200 grit sandpaper. You can go to 2000, and polish with your favorite metal polish...


The absolute easiest way is to visit Bill Ellis's web site, and get a pair or two of the plexi scales I did for him a while ago. For 20$, they are good buy... They are satin finished, and if you want them polished, you can sand them down with some 800, 1200, 2000, and polish...



Nenad

Any place out there just to by them polished.

Originally Posted by Taz

Any place out there just to by them polished.

Well, actually, no. But you can ask Bill to put them on the buffing wheel for you...

Nenad

I bought some clear plexiglass tonight at Home Depot--looks like the right stuff.

I'm thinking of trying to cut it with my Dremel. Maybe just rough out the shape and then sand down to the finished shape, either by hand or with some kind of Dremel attachment. Would that work?

Nenad, your scales are jaw-dropping. They're what made me want to give clear scales a try...

Thanks,
Josh

Watch out for the dremel Josh, even on the slowest speed it will generare WAY TOO much heat.

When cutting detail in plexi glass I often use a very fine toothed jigsaw or hacksaw blade and do it by hand... though this takes some patience and dedication.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I bought some clear plexiglass tonight at Home Depot--looks like the right stuff.

I'm thinking of trying to cut it with my Dremel. Maybe just rough out the shape and then sand down to the finished shape, either by hand or with some kind of Dremel attachment. Would that work?

Nenad, your scales are jaw-dropping. They're what made me want to give clear scales a try...

Thanks,
Josh

Thanx Josh, I'm glad you like them... Yes, they are interesting change from the usual wood/celluloid ones, and although I made around 15 pairs, some as a gifts, some commissioned by Mr. Bill Ellis, I don't have them on any on my razors. My only pair broke, and I broke the bearings on my power grinder doing them, so I cannot make some more, lol

About the Dremel, whatever works... That is how you learn, by trial and error. Try it out, and let us know.

have fun,
Nenad

Thanks for the warning, Lancer. I think I am going to give it a try--the plexiglass only cost $4, so I won't cry if it's ruined.

I'm thinking of sandwiching two pieces together and resting them on a block of wood, then cutting both at the same time, going very, very slowly. If I start to melt the plexiglass, I do have a hacksaw that I could use...

I'll let you know how this fiasco in the making goes...

Josh