Thread: My first resto attempt

It's beginning and here is where I will document what I do.


Here's what I got to start with:






It's a 5/8 W&B Barbers Notch wedge. Ideas on the scale material? I really don't know.

I was going to try to remove the scales and throw the thing in the tumbler with corncob I just bought, but it seems my hand saw has disappeared. On top of that, there is no space between the scales and the blade, so I couldn't fit a saw in there anyway.

So I'm looking for two answers to start:
1. What kind of material do you think the scales are? If you need more info from me to figure it out, I'm happy to oblige.

2. If the scales are worth saving, how do I get them off with the least damage? If they're not worth saving, just give me the say so, and I'll have a blade sans scales in minutes.

Originally Posted by kasperitis

It's beginning and here is where I will document what I do.


Here's what I got to start with:






It's a 5/8 W&B Barbers Notch wedge. Ideas on the scale material? I really don't know.

I was going to try to remove the scales and throw the thing in the tumbler with corncob I just bought, but it seems my hand saw has disappeared. On top of that, there is no space between the scales and the blade, so I couldn't fit a saw in there anyway.

So I'm looking for two answers to start:
1. What kind of material do you think the scales are? If you need more info from me to figure it out, I'm happy to oblige.

2. If the scales are worth saving, how do I get them off with the least damage? If they're not worth saving, just give me the say so, and I'll have a blade sans scales in minutes.

1.
No idea on the scale material, horn, bone????

2.
Use a small file to file down/off the washer, and DO cover the scale with electrical tape to protect it, when washer is filed off, gently tap the pin out.

1. Could be some kind of bone material

2. To avoid accidental shoot out you can punch a hole in the center of the pin with a center punch. You can then drill out the pin head carefully at slow speed with a drill press or a Dremel. After the you drill away the pin head simply jiggle the scales loose with a screw driver or some thing like that.

I'd try to save the scales at al times if possible, you can always throw/give the away later if you wish

Well, I was doin good until I cracked the scales trying to knock the pin out. They're shot now. And after I took them off, sure enough...they look to me to be bone. Awesome.

Well, on to the tumbler with the blade!

It's in the tumbler which is, by the way, kinda loud. I won't be able to run it overnight, but I'll run it while I'm off at work and when I'm home in the evenings (until I can't stand it).

Here's what I got:

Showing up kinda late here.....sorry........I would have said bone on the scale material. I'll be ordering a tumbler myself soon, I hope it works as well as it did for Glen! Good luck Luke and keep us posted!

Well, I found out I will be home tomorrow night, so it'll be stewing all day tomorrow while I'm at work. I'll post pics after I get home and get situated.

I ran home to check on the blade at lunch, and it's definitely making progress, even if it's slow. I really gotta get some walnut media. Hopefully I'll be able to get out and find it this week some time.

I'd recommend some hand-sanding if you haven't already done it after the pics. Up to 400 grit or so. The first blade I threw in had only minimal pitting, but even that was taking forever to go away. I eventually gave up and sanded up to 400 and then threw it back in the tumbler.

does anyone know if the tumbling will fade light etching or engraving?