Stopped by this place on the way home

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Didn't realize I had one in town. Lots of nice tools and things. Plus lots of wood for pen blanks and much larger pieces too. I picked up these while I was there...

Padauk. It has a bit more orange color to it than the pic shows.
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And this block of Bocote. I figure I can get 6 scales out of it. Enough for three razors.
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Now, I'm not really sure what way to cut the Bocote. With the flats of the scales like pic one, or like pic two? Opinions? Going with pic one, I will get a lot of grain showing but with pic two, I'll get a lot more odd shapes from the grain. The guy at Woodcraft said to slice it like pic one.

Anyway, I now have enough for four more set of scales. Not that I was in need of more as I got some stock as it is, but I just couldn't walk out without something. So what is your opinion? I don't think there is an issue of strength as this stuff is heavy and hard. But, what do I know?

BTW, The Botcote is coated in wax. Thats what you see in the pics.

Wish I had one in town! That would be handy--looking forward to seeing the scales that come out of these :)

What made you check them out? ;)

They have 1/8" boards available in some of the woods.

Woodcraft has lots of great unique wood species AND an awesome selection of toys (tools). I love that store!

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Originally Posted by Gasman

Now, I'm not really sure what way to cut the Bocote. With the flats of the scales like pic one, or like pic two? Opinions? Going with pic one, I will get a lot of grain showing but with pic two, I'll get a lot more odd shapes from the grain. The guy at Woodcraft said to slice it like pic one.

Anyway, I now have enough for four more set of scales. Not that I was in need of more as I got some stock as it is, but I just couldn't walk out without something. So what is your opinion? I don't think there is an issue of strength as this stuff is heavy and hard. But, what do I know?

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For the Bocote, I like the looks of pic two for the flat. That look is more unique, BUT, just looking at the pics, it looks like that look comes from viewing the grain end on. If that is the case, it seems like there would be a strength difference and that would be the weakest direction.

Take all that from someone who has done ZERO pair of scales. Which means I've never been wrong on a pair of scales.

Although two is more interesting, I'm still favoring one. Your scales though! Do you have enough material to do it at least bone set both ways? What do you use to cut blocks into blanks? That is part of what keeps me from buying pieces like that.

Did you see any of these large acrylic blanks like this. My store only has pen blanks.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/a...-2-x-1-1-2-x-6

They also have a good selection of hones

All I have to rip it up is a table saw and that makes for a lot of wasted wood. But it gets the job done. I do have a scroll saw, but I'm not too sure it would cut this stuff and it definitely wouldn't cut it straight. Wish I had a band saw. So, if I was to cut out blanks in both directions, I'm not sure I'd have enough.

I did see some 1/8" thick pieces but they were warped and I didn't want to have to mess with that issue too.

They did not have any acrylic pieces long enough. Everything was cut for pen blanks and they must have had a thousand pen blanks. A little too short for my liking.

I was told they were located in a different part of town and wasn't getting much business, so they had moved to this location 4 days ago. So they were still setting up the store. I can see it's going to be a nice place to buy blanks of exotic woods that my normal source might not be able to get. I might go back down there next week and request a bit more options for the sizes I want. Never hurts to ask. And see what they would charge for ripping with a band saw for me.

I'd still like to hear from others on what way to cut up this block.

I do like pic two, Jerry. But my reply would be the same as Diboll, if its across the grain it will likely split or break. But who knows, cut a piece and see, I guess.

Simple solution: Buy another block of wood. Cut one block like pic 1, Cut one block like pic 2. Make 6 pairs of scales. Buy six razors to go into the scales. Easy. Addiction is now fed for the moment.

Seriously though, Bocote is pretty hard so grain direction shouldn't matter for scales. I'd go with Pic2, cut it in half, and book match it, then make scales for a big chopper.

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Originally Posted by criswilson10

Simple solution: Buy another block of wood. Cut one block like pic 1, Cut one block like pic 2. Make 6 pairs of scales. Buy six razors to go into the scales. Easy.

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Another enabler! But you got a point. Too bad there was only one block of the stuff. Im going out to cut it up in a few and will post up a pic or two with the results. The price was decent so if i dont come out on top, im not out too much. Hey, its all for fun anyway.

I went the chicken way. But, I did keep them in sets so I can have 3 matched sets when the time comes. I got a feeling I might be going to that store and buying a piece now and then just to have. Damn the A.D.!

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Jerry, my thought would be to take your belt sander if you have one and sand it down so you can really see what you have to work with.

My next thought would be to use the view you find most visually attractive. If you like the weaker view better, you could always use a G10 liner.

You're right about the table saw wasting more material. My Dad has a table saw in AL, but a band saw would be great. I'm not sure how well a table saw would work with those acrylic blanks though. I was thinking of asking them about cutting next time I was there. If they won't do it they may at least know of a customer who would.
Honestly I have more blanks than blades right now since I gave most of my loose blades away! I have a couple though that I don't want to do in the materials I have though.

Pete has a point. If you decide to go that route I may have some black G10 liner material you can have.

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Originally Posted by Pete123

Jerry, my thought would be to take your belt sander if you have one and sand it down so you can really see what you have to work with.

My next thought would be to use the view you find most visually attractive. If you like the weaker view better, you could always use a G10 liner.

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Next time Pete. Thanks for the idea. They are cut already.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

Next time Pete. Thanks for the idea. They are cut already.

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You do know that they make table top bandsaws that you can get a multitude of different blades for don't you Jerry. :w

https://www.amazon.com/SKIL-3386-01-...70_&dpSrc=srch

Yes, I know of this Roy.
And I was having a hard time deciding between the scroll saw and the band saw. I should have gone for the band saw. I find the scroll a little difficult to follow a line, so I cut them a little big and sand them down. So the band saw could have done that and cut up blanks. I hadn't thought about the blanks went I was trying to decide which to buy. Live and learn.

Those are going to make some nice scales.

For future reference, would a table top band saw work well for cutting up material like micarta and acrylic?

I don't see why not. I've used a coping saw to cut up acrylic, and a saw with small teeth going in one direction should work well.

Those scales are gorgeous. I love the lines.

I have used a table top band saw for scales. What I found is that it will work, but you have to go soooooo slooooooow. No problem if you are doing one here and there.

If you try to go faster, the blade will bulge away from the guard that the scale is up against, casusing the thickness to be un even.

Good point Pete. Thanks for the heads up on that one. Someday I'll buy one, but for now, I'll use the table saw or get someone else to cut it up. The table saw does such a great job. It's too bad it has so much waste involved.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

I don't see why not. I've used a coping saw to cut up acrylic, and a saw with small teeth going in one direction should work well.

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Cool. I've never worked with acrylic and thought it might be super hard to cut. When I've cut micarta with a coping saw it was painfully slow and killed the blade in no time.

Jerry, The table saw does a much better job. Another poster was asking about the band saw.

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Originally Posted by Gasman

Good point Pete. Thanks for the heads up on that one. Someday I'll buy one, but for now, I'll use the table saw or get someone else to cut it up. The table saw does such a great job. It's too bad it has so much waste involved.

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Yep, for every cut, is another set of scales wasted.

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Originally Posted by outback

Yep, for every cut, is another set of scales wasted.

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For a very small fee the place where I get my acrylic from will cut the 1.5" x 1.5 " blanks into 1/8" blanks. They have a huge band saw and the blade is 1" were as my table top only takes 3/8" and their cuts are pretty even (as you've seen Jerry) however at times theirs are a bit off but still very respectable.

Yep, i remember buy those and having them cut. The next time i go into this store ill see if they can cut it up for me. Might even buy a bigger block and send a few out to a few folks. They sure had some nice big pieces. But how many razors do you want in your collection with the same wood scales?

Just practice by making scales and giving them away! I will PM you my address so you can be rid of any scales that arent up to your standards.

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Originally Posted by MrZ

Just practice by making scales and giving them away! I will PM you my address so you can be rid of any scales that arent up to your standards.

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Pretty sure I already made that offer in another thread!:roflmao

Yep, The Addresses are piling up. Ha.