Thread: Source for imitation Abalone

I wonder about the compound corners though. I wonder if it would mold.

What I have in mind is simply to adhere the veneer flat to a flat piece of acrylic, cut my scales, and THEN try putting an even bevel around the entire scale perimeter. I would then sand and polish that beveled perimeter to make the abalone pop all the more with a black border (getting it evenly radiused all the way around would be the trick I think). Then, per the guy's video on mudhole.com and the tutorial here in our library on doing an epoxy pour on scales, I would do the epoxy coat. Point being, no trying to shape the veneer around a tight scale curve (no way that would work IMO).

In my imagination, this is a beautiful set of scales. We'll see what the reality brings when I get around to it, but I'm so taken by this idea that I actually just ordered the abalone veneer and black acrylic sheet from Amazon. If anybody is crazy enough to participate in this mad experiment with me, here are a couple of links:
12"x12"x.118 black acrylic sheet (almost thin enough-we'll see):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Abalone veneer of 9.4"x5.5"x0.006 inches (0.15mm): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hope I'm not violating forum rules by posting Amazon links (Mods feel free to delete links if that is the case). I'll report results if and when I get time to do this-school year's starting back. Why didn't I get this idea at the BEGINNING of summer?! Aaron

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I wonder about the compound corners though. I wonder if it would mold.

What I have in mind is simply to adhere the veneer flat to a flat piece of acrylic, cut my scales, and THEN try putting an even bevel around the entire scale perimeter. I would then sand and polish that beveled perimeter to make the abalone pop all the more with a black border (getting it evenly radiused all the way around would be the trick I think). Then, per the guy's video on mudhole.com and the tutorial here in our library on doing an epoxy pour on scales, I would do the epoxy coat. Point being, no trying to shape the veneer around a tight scale curve (no way that would work IMO).

In my imagination, this is a beautiful set of scales. We'll see what the reality brings when I get around to it, but I'm so taken by this idea that I actually just ordered the abalone veneer and black acrylic sheet from Amazon. If anybody is crazy enough to participate in this mad experiment with me, here are a couple of links:
12"x12"x.118 black acrylic sheet (almost thin enough-we'll see):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Abalone veneer of 9.4"x5.5"x0.006 inches (0.15mm): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hope I'm not violating forum rules by posting Amazon links (Mods feel free to delete links if that is the case). I'll report results if and when I get time to do this-school year's starting back. Why didn't I get this idea at the BEGINNING of summer?! Aaron

Ya, I think it would look sharp. You could even make diagonal cuts (geometric patterns) the epoxy would even it up. Abolone bolsters?
I've seen videos of guys cutting it with exacto knives.
Lots of possibilities for sure.
Cheers

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I have been wanting to try making a set of abalone scales for a long time, but the "real" stuff, even the LVS veneer blanks from Masecraft, are grotesquely expensive in the thicknesses we need! But I have an idea after watching this guy's rod-wrapping video: Shopping
What if I got a set of this GreenHeart veneer (seems more like a decal, but supposedly real abalone?)? It's 4.75" by 5.5", so maybe long enough for a set of two scales if the blade is not too long. I then use their boiling water method (watch the video) to adhere the veneer to a sheet of black acrylic of appropriate thickness (obviously being VERY careful of bubbles!). I then cut and shape my scales (with maybe a beveled border of black acrylic to set off that abalone). The guy recommends and epoxy coating in the video, so I coat it with the clear epoxy as some do on here for scales.

Do any of you experienced hands think this would work? I would be willing to try it if I though I could save a lot of money and still come out with a gorgeous set of abalone scales, even if they are more acrylic and epoxy than actual abalone. What say the experts?

Hey. If I was going to stick some abalone to an acrylic backer, I'd use clear or white as a backer. I wouldn't bother trying to make it stick to the thin sides of the acrylic backer like someone suggested. It will look great if it has any shell on the outside of the scales. They all look terrific. I'm going to price some thick shell for the scales of my soon-to-be custom 10/8 razor. Show us when you are finished. Good luck!