First Efforts... Pic and Lessons Learned

[RobertFontaine]

The world's worst rescale and two blades under construction....

Please feel free to throw in comments I will be starting on the world's second worst set shortly.

Basswood. ( Cherry Stain, Teak Oil, Paste Wax )
Wapi blade
Adjustable pins from microfasteners
spacer cut from the Wapi for now.

Things learned...
Blade Sanding:

1. If you haven't removed the scratches with low grit paper they certainly aren't going to disappear once you work up to high grit.

2. Use plenty of rouge/green compound to polish. Pressing more doesn't help - Dremels are good.

3. If the edge keeps chipping out when you are working with it and it won't hold an edge throw it away. It suck to spend 20 hours cleaning up a blade to realize the metal is complete junk.

4. Quit bleeding in the kitchen your wife will complain.


Rescaling:

1. CA or Poly over oil just doesn't work. There is nothing for it to get a grip on. (Paste Wax over Oil works pretty darn well).

2. End grain sucks up stain like there's no tomorrow. ( I won't be staining any of my good woods so I haven't solved the mystery I just know it sucks).

3. The dremel drill stand and some carpet tape make putting holes in scales really really easy.

4. Adjustable pin are extremely convenient although I haven't quite figured out what to do with the extra bit on the end. (likely use a cut off wheel)
suggestions?