Thread: first attempt at new scales

Picked up this Tillotson Sheffield recently. It had a nice set of scales with a cool design, but they were broken at the hinge pin, rendering them useless. Anyway, I decided to try and make a set of scales. I made these from a paint stick I got from Home Depot. A coat of stain and a couple coats of polyurethane, and I think they came out nicely. Just need to make sure I wipe off any water that gets on the scales. In all it took more time than I anticipated. Pinning was new to me as well, but I found the process easier than I expected I guess. Take what I learned, and apply to the next set, which will likely be acrylic.

You can always make others. But they dont look too bad, and do the job....for now. I started the same way.[emoji6]

I use paint stir stick for all kinds of mock ups, never thought of make scales.

Wood is a great medium for learning on, Those came out pretty well, bet you learned a lot. I would imagine they are pretty unforgiving for pinning, too tight and they will crack.

Good work.

Now that would make an interesting contest, making scales from wooden paint stir sticks…

The paint stick was a very cool idea!
They look good...and free to boot!

Pete <:-}

Nice job with the paint stick!
I bet the old English steel shaves pretty well too.
Along the same line of thought.....
Food coloring to make your own stain in any shade you want can be found in the dollar stores.

I have thought about using bamboo that is available in dollar stores in the form of kitchen utensils for scale material.
It is a pretty durable and tough material.
I don't know how if it would take a stain very well.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. It was fun making these. I did learn a lot...like I wish I had a jig saw and belt sander haha!

Originally Posted by relli1130

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. It was fun making these. I did learn a lot...like I wish I had a jig saw and belt sander haha!

Paint sticks are a GREAT way to mock up scales. I wouldn't think a jigsaw or a belt sander would be needed! They are SUPER SOFT wood.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Now that would make an interesting contest, making scales from wooden paint stir sticks…

That would be an interesting contest!
Plus it would be virtually FREE to do!

I agree! Could get very creative