Thread: Horn scale making tutorial

Originally Posted by UKRob

Hi Prodigy - that's pretty much what I do except that I drill both pin holes after I have the outline shape but before starting to sand and round the faces. Starting with the pivot end hole, I then use a piece of rod, slip the blade over it and then mark exactly where I want the wedge pin to be. I even go so far as to check the hole will be equidistant either side with calipers.

One tip to make separating the two halves easier - before applying the double sided tape, cover the inside faces with decorators tape. It's much easier to remove that from the inside scale than carpet tape.

Great tutorial on making horn scales. I do it pretty much the same way as Prodigy and UKRob do it. However, I don't soak my scales in neatsfoot oil. I only use it for old scales that are starting to delaminate. Also, I have found that there is no need to sand down both blanks. Double sided tape them together, draw the scale design on a blank (or glue paper design on the scale). Just cut out rough shaped scales with a scroll saw then sand down both sides to approximately 2mm. Take them to the belt sander for rough shaping, then progressive sanding, etc. I sand and polish both sides and do caliper them to ensure both scales are the same with. Good tip from karlej on using double sided scotch tape. Much easier to get off & to separate scales than carpet tape. Agree, that one slab can make one set of scales (2ea.). Horn is super easy to work with and looks great when finished.