Thread: Blanks for scales?

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I see that others have provided you with links to the materials. I was wondering if you had the tools needed to not only cut out the scales but to pin a razor once you have the scales made. Things like the 1/16" brass or nickle silver rod, washers, a pinning hammer a polished steel to pin on, a 5/64th inch drill bit to make holes with a slight clearance etc just wondering

I have all but the polished steel to pin on. Didnt think it needed to be polished. I have a small vise i was going to use. I made a set of tezt scales.out of some wood i found at the hardware store. Cut them and sanded to 1/8 and they turned out ok but i didnt have any idea of what i was doing and i didnt drill them before sanding so my holes ended up not quite in line. Im going to pin them just so i can pin something before i get serious and make a real set.

I hadnt thought about horn.
Drilling holes wider than 1/16? Didnt think about that. I made my test scales at 1/16 hole.
I didnt know that if ordering 1/8 inch thick, you got thicker. Thats good. I was afraid of them being thinner and after sanding being too thin.
Stablized. Good to know. I wasnt sure of this ether.

If learned a lot on this one simple question! If you got more info for me im still open to sugestions for sure. Ill buy some kind of product to make scales out of 8n the next few days. I like seeing the wood grain is why i was wanting wood but will have to look into horn too.

Thanks for all the links. I got some checking out of stuff to do now.

BTW, what do you look for in Horn when picking for scales???

Originally Posted by RezDog

tintin your link is broken.

thanks, you must have tried it when i was in the process of getting it to work. seems to work now.

Originally Posted by tintin

Rockler Woodworking has thin cut exotic wood in 1/8 inch thickness which is right for scales especially if you don't have the tools to cut it yourself.

Thanks tintin. Thoughs are nice and a good price. Any of them you recommend?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Bell Forest Products

They go the extra mile for us

Keep in mind that a 1/8 or .125" thick scales are rarely that thick, they are normally slightly thicker, and most scales need to be closer to 1/10 or .100 to flex correctly and not look clunky..

PS: at the top of this forum is a thread that has almost every answer to every question about restores

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

Thanks for the link and supplier. Nice prices too. Cheep wood at the hardware store costs.more.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Thanks tintin. Thoughs are nice and a good price. Any of them you recommend?

only have made one set of wood scales(horn is my favorite scale material) so i don't know much about what type of wood is best. a lot of other people with more experience than me. better listen to them.

The easiest woods to work with making razor scales as they are near waterproof from nature

There are others but these are my recommendations to all newbs at this


Lignum Vitae
Cocobolo or other Rosewoods
Ebonies

These are easy to work, hard dense solid woods, and a simple finish will make them virtually waterproof

I put a couple of blanks of African Blackwood in the mail for Gasman today. I'll get him the tracking link as soon as USPS has it available.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I put a couple of blanks of African Blackwood in the mail for Gasman today. I'll get him the tracking link as soon as USPS has it available.

Ahhhh, a beautiful wood indeed

I found that Woodcraft has a pretty nice selection of exotic wood as well. They have 1/8" thick pieces in cut in various lengths/widths. Not to mention you may have a location near you! Prices are pretty well priced. Below are some pieces I grabbed recently.

Bocote (left) and Zebrawood right):


Wenge (left) and Black Palm (right):


I also got some Purple Heart! All pieces are 6x24x1/8" (4 planks) except for the Wenge 2x16x1/8" (1 plank) all for roughly ~$42.00!

I've only made one set of scales out of wood and I used Pine just as a test. I am in the same boat as you though, I am not sure on the finish/dealer to use for the different types of wood I got.




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Thank you all for the help and for the blanks being sent to me. Cant thank you enough. And those pics of the wood you picked up look great. I think id be able to do something with stuff like that and be very happy. This has been a good learning experiance in this thread. Thanks to all that posted.