Thread: First attempt at replacing scales

Hi everybody.

As I said in a previous thread, I bought a Wapi and hone it and it shaves great. But I feel that the stock scales need to be replaced mainly because of 2 reasons - they're heavy and they're not that good looking.
So, I ordered some pakkawood scales from classic shaving and next week they should be delivered.
First things first. How do I remove the stock scales from the Wapi? I don't have any blacksmith tools. My toolbox is the most simple you can imagine. I have a hammer, some screwdrivers, some pliers and some nuts and bolts and that's about it. Can I remove the scales with these tools? Or I need a drill?
The second half of the problem is putting the Wapi into the new scales. The scales I ordered have "all the things I need", at least that's what they say. Now, tell me if I'm saying something wrong:
1) Drill the hole.
2) Put the brass blade bearings between the blade and the scales
3) Insert the pin in one side and slide all the way
4) Put the collar on the opposite side and cut the pin closely.
5) Peen flat the end of the pin to "hold" the collar and the rest of the assembled pieces.

Any remarks/thoughts?

Thanks

Leon:
I did some replacements using these scales and did a step by step on B&B in the straight razor section you might wanna check that one out Have fun and take yer time......

The ebony replacement scales I got from CS already had the hole. The only problem you might run into is the collar fits tightly. The pin itself is like a nail with a point. I drilled a hole into some hard maple to insert the end of the pin into and tap down the collar. It made the job a lot easier. You can work it down with your fingers, but it wasn't easy for me.

Leon,
I believe your first real problem will be to remove the metal scales. I don't see this happening with the tools you have. Could you maybe borrow a dremel like rotating tool from someone? After grinding off the peened side of the pin, push it through the pivot hole with a very small finishing nail or similar, while tapping the nail with a (small!) hammer.
Hope this helps a little!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Leon:
I did some replacements using these scales and did a step by step on B&B in the straight razor section you might wanna check that one out Have fun and take yer time......

Hi. I'm looking for this, can you post a link?

Thanks!

One thing I do it peen the end of the rod first and place the collor on it before I push it through the scales. I don't use the nails as I haven't found any yet... I use the 1/16" brass rod I got at DJ's hobby, they got them in finnaly

If you are good with tools you can get away with a medium soup spoon as a hammer for peening I've done 4 sets of scales now with that same spoon hehe

Originally Posted by Zennmaster

Hi. I'm looking for this, can you post a link?

Thanks!

Thanks everybody. I'd like also to check that post on B&B. Can anyone post the URL?

Thank you

Originally Posted by CatMan

Could you maybe borrow a dremel like rotating tool from someone? After grinding off the peened side of the pin, push it through the pivot hole with a very small finishing nail or similar, while tapping the nail with a (small!) hammer.

I can borrow a dremel easily. You're telling me to use the dremel to grind the "head" of the pin so I can push it through the hole?

Originally Posted by Leon

I can borrow a dremel easily. You're telling me to use the dremel to grind the "head" of the pin so I can push it through the hole?

thats how its done.

I can recommened Bill's straight razor restoration cd, its full of the information your looking for.
http://www.billysblades.com/Straight%20Razor%20Book.htm

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

One thing I do it peen the end of the rod first and place the collor on it before I push it through the scales. I don't use the nails as I haven't found any yet... I use the 1/16" brass rod I got at DJ's hobby, they got them in finnaly

I got 1/16" brass rod and matching tubing at ACE hardware (Just for the folks in the US). I'm sure they have hardware stores in Portugal as well.