Thread: Wedge grinding/insertion question.

Hey folks. I asked this during the Sun. night chat, but had to leave before I got an answer.

I am making wooden scales with a CA finish and would like to use a brass wedge with them. M question is, when do you insert the wedge, and how?

Do you;

1. Trace the profile after the scales are finished, shape and polish it separately, then add it on final assembly?
2. Add an oversized wedge to the scale and assemble it. Then, grind down the wedge to the scale profile and refinish the scales in that area?
3. Carefully grind down the wedge once inserted, trying not to touch the scales?
4. Use some other method?

Thanks,
John

Hey John,

I go option no 2. It does make the sealing the inside of the scales a bit tricky at the end though. With all the scales I have made I used a wood wedge/spacer and I find that doing the final shaping fully assembled makes everything really flush.

I think on Bill's CD he goes option 1.

Any of the 3 would work but I'd be real careful with no 3 though.

Cheers,
David.

I was just thinking of posting the same question! This is something that I've struggled with ever since I got into restoration. I've tried all 3 methods and have been doing the following with some success:

1) Get scales to the utmost sanded finish (for me 1000 grit)
2) Double-sided tape in slighter larger spacer material (brass lately) into scales.
3) Put some pinning rod into both butt and pin end holes to keep things aligned. I also sometimes use a small spring clamp near the butt end to help hold the spacer in.
4) Grind the spacer to fit carefully minimizing any scale scuffing.
5) Remove temporary spacer, clamp, rod sections.
6) Touch-up sand the scales if they got scuffed.
7) Apply finishing to scales
8) Glue in the spacer with the pinning rods thru both ends again for alignment.

That's just what I do. Would love to hear how the pros do it.

Steve

Interesting. That's exactly what I was thinking of doing. I'll let you know how it goes. thx - John

on the one I posted in the razors section , I did it the following way:


1. take scales to the final sanded finish
2. fit blade and pivot pin in place
3. Rotate one half of scale out of line with the blade in folded position
4. draw around profile of end making sure there will be sufficient clearance for blade on inside.
5. cut spacer to 1mm outsize
6. bevel both sides of spacer to make profile
7. Rotate scales back in line and with razor closed fit spacer in place and pin
8. open razor and hand file the spacer to fit carefully minimizing any scale scuffing.
9. Touch-up/ sand the scales if they got scuffed.
10. Apply finishing to scales