Thread: Scales

Hi Guys,

I am about to order my first set of of rods and pins etc, I am also getting a set of pre made cheap and cheerful plastic scales because i have a beater that the scales broke off of.

I am getting the set of premade scales (only cost $9) that are so cheap that I don't expect much from mainly because I can use them to try pinning for the first time and haven't lost anything if I have a disaster.

I will get some Water Buffalo blanks to try my hand at making my own scales to replace the cheapo premades if the pinning goes well.

The reason for my post, I have been told that some of you use a full size table saw to cut scales from a block but I have also been warned not to even try to do it. I have already got 14 stitches from when i almost cut my finger off on it years ago so I do have respect for it (now I do anyway) but if anyone would like to explain how they do it on a table saw in really idiot proof language i am all ears.

I also wonder where you guys get blocks of scale material or what sort of wood I can use, I doubt if I can go to home depot and just get pine for example.

I have a big ol rip blade in the saw but understand I need a finer blade.

When I say idiot proof language, I really meant it, Rezdog said something about kerf a few days ago to me, I don't know what language that is but I don't speak it.

My table saw was used as I was remodeling my house, cutting door frames and narrowing doors, cutting shelves, cutting fence boards etc, I just cut along the line and I didn't have to be as super accurate as cutting scales.

I know some of you will say don't do it, I think it's happening so I would be grateful for any help to make it work and keep my fingers

I also have a chop (mitre) saw if that would be better, actually it might be less risky eh.

One of the best videos I’ve seen about making scales using minimal hand tools from Lewis Razors.

https://youtu.be/YQm7YToDSpc

Yep, I agree.
Is how I made my first few sets.

Still do most of the work without power tools.

The only time I have ever used a table saw for any stage of making scales is to cut slabs from a log. Even that was scary business. I would not recommend trying to make the scales themselves with a table saw. I don't even know how you would do that as a table saw is really only meant for making straight cuts. The kerf is the cut of the blade. With a band saw it can be very narrow and short but with a table saw it is long and at least an 1/8 inch wide. If you try to make a curved cut it will either kick back or it will buck and cause you to cut yourself. Either way, no good can come from it. If you have a coping saw you can use that just like you would a band saw.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

The only time I have ever used a table saw for any stage of making scales is to cut slabs from a log. Even that was scary business. I would not recommend trying to make the scales themselves with a table saw. I don't even know how you would do that as a table saw is really only meant for making straight cuts. The kerf is the cut of the blade. With a band saw it can be very narrow and short but with a table saw it is long and at least an 1/8 inch wide. If you try to make a curved cut it will either kick back or it will buck and cause you to cut yourself. Either way, no good can come from it. If you have a coping saw you can use that just like you would a band saw.

I wasn't actually talking about cutting scales, but rather slicing a 1/8 slab from a thicker block that i can then use to make scales. The block being a couple of inches wide for example.

Originally Posted by STF

I wasn't actually talking about cutting scales, but rather slicing a 1/8 slab from a thicker block that i can then use to make scales. The block being a couple of inches wide for example.

This might be useful.

https://shavelibrary.com/w/Cutting_Scale_Blanks

https://shavelibrary.com/w/Making_scales,_step_by_step

Oh... well that you could do.

Although I suppose you could make straight cuts around the lines to get it close to shape with the table saw. I would still hesitate myself because small pieces are how you get your hands too close.

Originally Posted by DZEC

This might be useful.

https://shavelibrary.com/w/Cutting_Scale_Blanks

https://shavelibrary.com/w/Making_scales,_step_by_step

That is an excellent little jig for slicing off wood scales.

I'm ordering the magnets and making one of those.

I've got a Japanese pull saw in my Amazon shopping cart ready as well as some ready made scales and some blanks and pins/washers etc in my Maggards shopping cart.

Now I just need to figure out what wood I can use to make scales that's commonly found so I can get some and slice off an 1/8 at a time for my blanks.

I think scaling and renovating is going to be fun but another disorder for me to blow my money on probably.

I've cut at least 100 scale blanks using a table saw. A previous member who left us long ago (no name) sent me a huge box of exotic woodblocks. He said I could keep a third of what I cut so I went out and bought a new blade for my table saw.

The biggest issue with cutting thin strips is to keep them from being pulled down into the saw as there is too much space beside the blade (at least on my low-cost saw there is). So I took a piece of 1/4" plywood, ran the blade through as if I was going to rip it in half but stopped about the halfway point. I cut this plywood so that I could clamp it down to the tabletop. I left about 1 inch on the side of the blade that the fence would be on. This filled the gap on the sides of the blade. Next, I had to make a jig to clamp onto my fence. This would sit higher so that I could still reach the blade before my fence touched the wood base. Meaning the jig would slide on top of the wood base.

I always ended up with a thicker piece when cutting up the last bit of the block as I never felt safe trying to push wood with a pusher thinner than a 1/8".

Hope this makes sense to you. Sometimes you just have to do what you can do. I think they actually make plates for fancier saws that pop right into your table. But my cheep saw I had to make something work.

BTW, Kerf is the amount of wood wasted. What you turn into sawdust. If you are paying top price for exotic woodblocks it makes your blanks cost a lot so you just have to do the math and see if it's worth it. It's almost 50/50. Means you will lose almost half of your block to kerf.

Good luck and always be safe with power tools as you have found out the hard way. When I turn any of my saws on my wife is trained to go in the house as she will ask questions about anything. Distracting me. So I've taught her to just go inside and leave me alone unless she hears me scream!

BTW, When working with exotic woods be sure you read about the woods. Some are more harmful than others. Some are very oily and that can cause issues when sealing or finishing. Just learn about the woods you want to buy. I've used...
Brazilian Cherry, Tigerwood, Santos, Padauk, Olive, Bubinga, Zebra, Lacewood, Rosewood, Marado, Purple Heart, Marblewood, Bocate, Bloodwood, and a few others. It can be fun so don't fall into the hole too deep!

Ok. Maybe i didnt explain very well. But after a couple PMs Steve has figured out what i said. I also told him i take no resposability if he cuts off a finger.

BTW, that is my 14 day set of Imperals. All dressed in a different wood.