Thread: First set of scales under way

I just started making my first set of scales from the "mystery wood" I got at a dollar bin in a clothing store, which may or may not be "sheesham" wood. The only tool I have to cut the wood into scales with is an electric jig saw that I purchased today, which isn't exactly the optimal tool for that job. When I can afford it, I will buy me a cheap hobby band saw instead.

The first set of scales will probably look like crap, since I wasn't used to the saw and made crooked cuts. At least it's good practice for the next set. I'll be using a white plastic wedge which I formed with a file. The plastic came from an ice scraper for windshields which I happened to have.

I'll post pictures when I've finished the scales and mounted the blade in them.

/Nicholas

Originally Posted by minstrel

I just started making my first set of scales from the "mystery wood" I got at a dollar bin in a clothing store, which may or may not be "sheesham" wood. The only tool I have to cut the wood into scales with is an electric jig saw that I purchased today, which isn't exactly the optimal tool for that job. When I can afford it, I will buy me a cheap hobby band saw instead.

The first set of scales will probably look like crap, since I wasn't used to the saw and made crooked cuts. At least it's good practice for the next set. I'll be using a white plastic wedge which I formed with a file. The plastic came from an ice scraper for windshields which I happened to have.

I'll post pictures when I've finished the scales and mounted the blade in them.

/Nicholas

I used a standard saw with the wood clamped in my workmate, sawing with the length of the blade.
I guess a bandsaw will work a lot better, but electric tools are a luxury, not a necessity. Since I can't afford a bandsaw and a belt sander atm I use a couple of pro quality files and a dremel to shape the wood.

Yeah, electric tools make things easier, and makes it possible to do the work quicker, but when things go wrong, they go wrong quicker too.

I primarily want a band saw to "split" wood into scales. Using a regular saw to do that doesn't work for me. I always manage to mess it up when I use a hand powered saw.

Ok, I finished my first set of scales. Look at it as a "proof of concept" exercise. I wanted to see what it was like to make the scales, and what to watch out for when I make scales for the better blades. I think I learned a lot from this first set of scales, and will be able to apply that knowledge to the ones I'll make in the future. It was also an exercise to learn to use the jig saw, and to examine the wood's properties.

The wood: Reputedly Sheesham wood.

The wedge: Plastic from an ice scraper.

The pins: The rods from pop rivets.

The collars and blade bearings: Zinc coated spacers I bought at an electronics store.

The blade: Horribly abused R.J. Roberts Sheffield.

I didn't polish the wood to any great degree, and didn't finish it in any way, since it's not going to be used for anything. I think it's polished to about 150 grit, so it's pretty coarse.

/Nicholas

Good Morning,

You seemed to have a quick turn over there making those scales last night. You are really into this which is a good thing! They look pretty good for a first run congrats! I myself wanted to get into making some scales and I think I will try it a bit with my uncle sometime soon.

They look like scales to me! Nice job!

I agree.

You should pop that blade off, finish off the scales (higher grit polish), rub some truoil or renaissance wax onto it (or both), slap in a purddier
Blade, and call it a day! Or, straight razor.....

C utz

They are not as nice as they look in the pictures, I assure you. Or maybe I just have very high standards, I don't know. Anyway, the scales are of uneven thickness due to my lack of practice with the jig saw, and the wedge is a bit off-center, so the opening along one side of the skales is wider than on the other side, which doesn't look very good. Those are things I will correct with the next set of scales.

I have a heap of the same wood to work with, and no shortage of other materials, so I'm pretty sure the other four blades I have will get better scales.

Nice job! I will be starting on my first rehab and re-scale project later this week. I hope mine turns out at least half as good!

Originally Posted by minstrel

Anyway, the scales are of uneven thickness due to my lack of practice with the jig saw

You can easily solve that with a file or a dremel / beltsander, followed by sandpaper.
I split the wood with a standard saw, sand it flat, stick them together with double sided tape and then take away wood from the outside until I have a nice symmetrical set of scales.