Thread: 1pc Scales w/Corian... initial findings

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

It is not widely available, but you can order it online. The downside (I found) is the color is hard to determine without seeing it. It's kind of a shot in the dark with the color unless you see it at a local home improvement store.

It is a VERY dense plastic. I had no problem cutting it with a scroll saw, but you need to take your time. It is MUCH denser than any hardwood but it yields good results (so far). I free-handed all of the shaping on sanders after the initial basic shape was established. Take your time since if you rush it will scorch and ti has a tendancy to develop sharp angles. They can be knocked down b sanding, but you need to plan for the extra time to finish it.

The next set will be darker for the Henckels. I'll post next week based on the outcome!

v/r


Allen

Hello Allen, nice job. Do you cut the middle with a table saw?

bj

Great work, and a very nice shape. I would have liked it even more if you had shaped the sides into a curve just a little, but that's all personal taste of course.
I think corian is a great material for making scales. I bet you'll start seeing more of those in the nearby future.
If you would pop a question with someone that installs kitchen counter tops in the upper price range, that could possibly be a free source of corian scraps, large enough to do scales.

Way to go,

Bart

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

A 4x6" sample of the Corian was $4.50. That is more than wood, but this material is easier to work since it requires nothing to stabilize or finish.


Allen

I found a shop that specializes in the Corian counter tops. They through away all kinds of scrapes a lot bigger then 4X6". They said doing a sales ticket on the scrap wasn't worth the hassle so they just gave me 2'x18" slab. I made bench strops with mine.
What kind of saw did you use? I used table saw with a carbide blade to cut mine.

That looks really good. It can be cut with carbide right? Hmm I wonder if I can use my CNC at work to cut out a set with my carbide bits.

Hey Allen you made some very nice scales. The shape is wonderfull.
In darker color it should be even more outstanding.

How do you make the cut in the middle...?? Bench saw?? if so what it the thickness of the blade you use??

Jacques

Great job Allen.

Gary

This may be an obvious question but..

Since this is countertop material I'm assuming the marble pattern is only on one side, correct?

You should be well pleased that your first time out is so NICE. I like the white marble look.

Corian is a plastic that has grain througout. It has the pattern/color on alll sides.
Dynamite job, Allen, and it has elicited great comments already. You've introduced another source for handles.

Nope. Corian is a poured material - a mixture of "stuff" poured into forms that once it hardens creates the countertops to shape. The polishing could be done on the "bottom" or "sides" of the stuff as well as the top is done. So top and bottom are somewhat irrelevant.

Those scales look great!!

...or do we need to say "that scale" looks great?