Have some experience pinning but have decided to try my own scales. Hand tools will be used for sawing and finishing (I do have a dremel & hand drill). Some prelim questions I'd like to put to the forum:

  • what would be a good material to start with? Ultimately I'd like to craft bog oak and kauri but not as starters. Any material that is particularly difficult to do by hand?
  • micarta I've seen listed appears to be a veneer. That means that shaping, adjustment and rounding have to occur on the inside? Wood listed for straight razor scaling frequently shows at 1/8" thickness. If I'm sectioning scales from a block that would be my thickness goal? Best achieved with a mitre box adaptation?
  • The power tools I do have--dremel and drill--any specific attachments that would be useful?


Thanks all.