Thread: Crap for crap.

Well, this is a wee bit discouraging. My first attempt to make scales was going pretty well. I liked the shape I had, the ebony was looking pretty nice and feeling good to the touch. The spacer was in and looked decent. The rear pin was at least holding together. And the razor doesn't close straight. Like, if the pivot pin is made tight it won't close.

The ebony is so hard that the drill pushed the scales apart before it started drilling into the second scale. So that hole is a little bit higher and has a weird angle. Upon further inspection it also seems the hole through the first scale was not perpendicular with the scale. I really wish I had a drill press.

But at least I've learned some things about the scale making process. I can try again with the other stuff I've got around but I'm concerned I'll mess up the pin holes again. Does anyone have any advice on how to drill better holes with just a little vice and a hand drill? A drill press is pretty much out of the question for me.

Get drill bits with a starter point on the end, and clamp your scales tightly together (an office paper clamp works well) or even stick them together with glue or double-sided tape. Tap a little starter hole with an awl or small nail so the bit won't wander. Go slow.

Also, if you dont have a drill press, just set up a jig to keep your bit at 90 degrees to the thing your gonna drill. Like so:

((Sorry for the bad drawing. I just wanted to get my point across. LOL))

Windcalmer, I love the drawing! Though it does raise a question in my mind.

How do I make sure the whole in the jig is 90 degrees??? To my novice mind it seems like a chicken-and-egg problem.

I have better luck when I drill the holes early in the process. I drill the scales when I have shaped the perimeter but the sides are still flat. I also make a mark with an awl so that the drill bit will not wonder when starting. New or sharp drill bits make a difference also.

Windcalmer's jig is a great tool.

Maybe you can mix some sanding dust with epoxy or CA fill the hole and try again a little bit over.

Charlie

Use a small square to help or even a protractor set your 90°, they are cheap and it will help you.

Originally Posted by Kenrup

Use a small square to help or even a protractor set your 90°, they are cheap and it will help you.

Hmm, I bet if I pick up two of those semi-circle style protractors I can cut some notches with the dremel and fit them together so that they make an X. The markings on the protractors should make it pretty easy to fit them together at 90 degrees. I could use that to drill the whole in the jig by putting the drill bit in the crook of the X. If that crazy scheme works I'll also start drilling as Charlie suggests - when the scales are still flat on both sides.

I'll probably try to fix the mistake some time in the future, but for now I'll try with a fresh set. I'm hoping I can make some that people will actually pay for when put on a blade. Maybe I can earn enough profit to buy the dremel drill press!

Thanks for all the help guys. I feel freshly encouraged to try again tomorrow. Hell, making up scales goes a hell of a lot quicker than sanding blades. Maybe I'll even have a set done tomorrow night. (Yeah right... )

Find someone with a drill press and have them drill the hole, by the way I do not know if you have a dremel but there are a lot of drill presses for under $50. I have had mine for almost 20 years. It is handy for more than drilling holes also.


Later,
Richard

Originally Posted by KingOfMalkier

Windcalmer, I love the drawing! Though it does raise a question in my mind.

How do I make sure the whole in the jig is 90 degrees??? To my novice mind it seems like a chicken-and-egg problem.

O.K. sorry for that. All you need is the flat chuck your gonna make you jig out of, and two more flat chunks to act as guides for your drill bit. Use a framing square to check everything for square! Then clamp the two guide bits to the jig bit. (See drawing) Then when you go to drill your hole, just press the drill bit into the corner and make sure that it touches the sides of the guide bits.

Sorry, its WAY easier to just show someone. LOL Is that clear enough? If not I can try explaining further.

Or, I could just make you a quick jig and ship it to you. If your in the US I can ship it to you for free.