Thread: Scale restoration question

You can use 3/4 oz. fiberglass as a backer. CA and baking soda to repair the missing pieces.

Though I haven't tried this yet. But I understand you can use talc, instead of baking soda. Its supposed to look closer to ivory/bone.








I'll be more than happy to explain more in detail later today, but right now I gotta get my arse to work, before I'm late.

I know the process pics on on here someplace

These Vintage Ivory Scales were repair using .030" G10 liners from Masecraft the Blue was a customer choice, every other set I have used Black as a liners

I used the Baking Soda method to fill the crack as Mike described

I would NOT use wood or any other material that can swell as a liner

The G10 that Glen used is available very thin, and even at those very tiny thicknesses it is incredibly strong. I have used G-10 liners for such things also. I’d really like to try the fibreglass that Mike used. They are worth the time and effort to save.

It is the same thing as the G10 liners, the difference is I built the liners to the scales. Which in turn makes them very thin, and almost not visible.




There's four layers of glass between the scales. scale

Well, damn your eyes.

I was all set to do a "good enough for me" job, and now you're making me think that a total restoration is not unreasonable.

However, you've just made this a much bigger project; my fibreglass skills are pretty rusty, and I don't want to use this irreplaceable antique as a practice ground, so I'm going to have to spend some time honing my chops on some other stuff before I fix these, blast it!

Curse you for making me be a better, more responsible person!

Just install pre-made liners, then. Its much easier. I'm a boat mechanic by trade, so working with glass is like breathing air, for me.

My pops taught me to be a jack of all trades. He said its better to know a little about everything, than to know everything about one thing.

Maybe pic up a cracked or broken bone scaled razor off eBay to practice on. I didnt look hard at you razor but i think it was bone. Bone is made very thin too for scales.

Originally Posted by outback

Just install pre-made liners, then. Its much easier. I'm a boat mechanic by trade, so working with glass is like breathing air, for me.

My pops taught me to be a jack of all trades. He said its better to know a little about everything, than to know everything about one thing.

What was the process for do the fiberglass liners? I don't remember the epoxy used. Didn't you scrape the bubbles out and clamp it for a while?

Originally Posted by outback

Just install pre-made liners, then. Its much easier. I'm a boat mechanic by trade, so working with glass is like breathing air, for me.

My pops taught me to be a jack of all trades. He said its better to know a little about everything, than to know everything about one thing.

My dad wasn't much use for teaching much of anything, so you've got me there.

But you've also got me interested in the glass idea. I've done enough of it that I've made MOST of the REALLY stupid mistakes already; I just need to remind myself how to avoid them!

But I would love some more detailed instructions when and if you get time.

I'm especially curious how to fix the crack on the back; would you glass first and build the CA on top of that, or fix the missing chunk and then glass the back?

What quantity of talc or baking soda do you use in the glue?

Would you try to clean the bone up first? Mine is pretty old and discoloured.

SO MANY QUESTIONS! (Again, when and IF you have time/interest in answering them...)

Oh, good point about wood swelling. Would bone not be subject to the same swelling, though? I've never worked with bone or horn before, so I genuinely have no actual idea...