Thread: Bubbles in faux tortise

From Masecraft, how common is this? I've got enough thickness to sand down and get rid of them but I worry more might be uncovered.

I don't think its that common - at least not in my experience. More likely to happen with a home set-up that doesn't use a vacuum chamber.

Having said that, the white powder from sanding is probably making it look worse - when you finish and everything is gunk-free and shiny I shouldn't think that they will notice that much - except to your eye of course, but then you will be looking for them!

Regards,
Neil

if there still visible when done it will give it that faux bug eaten look.(or maybe you could fill them with super glue or epoxy?)

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

I don't think its that common - at least not in my experience. More likely to happen with a home set-up that doesn't use a vacuum chamber.

Having said that, the white powder from sanding is probably making it look worse - when you finish and everything is gunk-free and shiny I shouldn't think that they will notice that much - except to your eye of course, but then you will be looking for them!

Regards,
Neil

Having pock marks in the scales that won't be noticed unless they are seen isn't acceptable. I've asked Masecraft for a replacement without bubbles. it was a 4x10 sheet and the remaining two thirds has at least six more bubbles that I can make out.

Yeah, probably the right thing to do.

I never had that much trouble with them, but they did send me 4 small knife handle blanks in blue abalone instead of the four large sheets I had ordered, and declared the value of the sheets on the customs label, so I got a hefty bill.

I went off about it big time, telling them I didn't expect to pay another customs charge, and they said let them sort it out - they sent me four large sheets with a zero-value for customs and told me to keep the four little rectangles, which I thought was really good of them.

I have no doubt they will sort you out properly.

Regards,
Neil

In the mean time I was able to sand out the holes with only one more appearing along the way. I just hope that if there are any more bubbles buried in the scales that they aren't too noticeable.

LOL, at least I thought I had got rid of them all. Finished polished and I find another, grrrrrrr.

Carefully clean the pit out with a pin then hit it with thick CA. The hole should become invisible and sand flush.

Is that the Tortuga East or West? It looks really good except for the bubbles.

Originally Posted by Baxxer

Is that the Tortuga East or West? It looks really good except for the bubbles.

'Twas the East, seems much darker though than I anticipated, still nice. Masecraft said all they had on hand contained air bubbles and offered me a refund or an additional piece, I took another piece. I was able to do some additional sanding to remove the last bubble and no more appeared.