Thread: Making Self Wedging Scales

To start, have the material cut to about an 1/8th inch+ thick. Best to have the stock two scales wide. Smooth one side. That will be the finished outside.

To make the cut, I used a bandsaw.
First, saw to the middle of a flat board to cover the throat of the saw to prevent the workpiece from falling into the hole or sticking while cutting. Secure the board with tape or clamps..
Then, I cut a length of wood ( 2x3 )long enough to clamp to the table edge of the saw table and to be able to be trimmed by the blade.
Next I swung the piece to cut a vertical edge at the end, Then I cut the end to slightly make a rounded point..
I then clamped it to the table with the slight point a tiny bit ahead of the saw blade teeth and against them..

Why all the hassle? To assure that I had a vertical surface that matched the angle of the saw blade exactly and a guide to press the workpiece against while removing a blade width of material from the stock.
Feed the stock against the blade till you reach the stop mark on it. This give you a raised flat at the end of the stock, which will become the wedge.




From there on it is just normal scale work except for tapering the flats at the wedge end. Use a file as sand paper will always make a slightly domed surface.


~Richard

Clever. I’ve wondered how one could do this.

I dont have a band saw, but thought I could sand away that section on a belt grinder.

Originally Posted by MrHouston

Clever. I’ve wondered how one could do this.

I dont have a band saw, but thought I could sand away that section on a belt grinder.

That should work, jigging the piece to stop the cut will be a fun job! The thread is an invitation to enjoy the possibilities for duplicating old work.

I am able to think of other methods of accomplishing this. I had available a bandsaw. I also have a Dremel router table. and cannot use it in my spaces. I sometimes have access to the bandsaw and a belt sander and that is a long drive away.
Enjoy the possibilities!
~Richard

That is a super post, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Ok guys, please post the photo results and set ups you use as you solve the setups needed for the tools you use! That would keep the possibilities in one place for the future readers.

~Richard

Nice work, Richard. I always called that an 'integral wedge' or 'wedgeless'.

I have one an old member did for me. He made them in his machine shop.
Some pics of the process in this thread....

https://straightrazorpalace.com/cust...2-general.html