Thread: Wapi Custom Lacewood scales DISASTER

So this was a Wapi rescale I did for a member here. Lacewood scales, purpleheart spacer, etc. The finish is CA, and a thick CA finish at that... which is what I was going for. I guess it is tough to see that in the photos. Anyway, I drilled holes getting progressively bigger from the pivot to the tang. Only thing was- I didn't think about drilling those holes out before I started the CA finish. There are probably at least 20 coats on this. So when I went to drill the first two holes on the back scale, bam, cracked out the CA finish. I had scrap wood under it and everything, but the CA just separated from the wood and cracked. I wanted to kill someone. I tried the second hole drilling from the front this time and same thing. So after that I decided to leave the holes filled. Doesn't look nearly as good as what I intended but I spoke to the member and he said it's fine. I'm sending him a check for half the price of the scales since I screwed them up. Damn, I wanted these to turn out well. Lesson learned- never try to drill through CA all at once! Or at least I shouldn't.

I am sorry to hear about the problems. I know how long it takes to get those coats of CA on. You obviously had a lot of time in the scales.

Did you use a hand drill or drill press? What was your speed...fast or slow?

I have drilled through CA finished on a drill press at slow speed with success.

That's a shame, but at least you didn't damage a customer's blade. That's what I really worry about. I can always make a new set of scales, but I'd really hate for something to happen to someone else's blade while it was entrusted to me.

Ouch!
You'll never forget that lesson!

I've had MANY "learning" moments like that myself.

If it were me, there would have been a good chance those scales would have been promptly broken in half....That'll learn ya! (you know, because it was the scale's fault, right?)


C utz

Do you have a side view with the holes filled. I'd have taught the kids a new word or two.

How fine are you sanding the scales before you start applying the finish? If you go much higher than 320 or 400, the CA won't stick very well.

Also, it's best to always drill through CA from the top, rather than coming up on the finish from behind, if that makes sense. It looks like you tried to go through both scales at once, which makes sense in theory from an alignment perspective. A better approach would be to make a template of some kind, and flip it over to drill the other side.

CA is one of the most frustrating things in the world to work with. I have a small drawer full of junked scales... One of these days I'll take 'em to the belt sander and just strip them down to bare wood so I can salvage them...

Josh

Let me give you some more detail here on those pics:

pic 1- all holes are filled in with CA, none drilled through.

pic 2- first two holes closest to pivot are drilled. First is from the back, second is from the front, so yes Josh I tried both ways. Sanded up through 400 grit before CAing.

pic 3- close up of pic two.

pic 4- side view of the front scale. All holes filled with CA.

Anyway, thanks for trying to help, but I think this one is done.