I've read the what I could find on the wiki. I've downloaded and read the .pdf from the Help Files...but I'm missing something?

Let me first explain that I did not expect miracles. I'm saving the pictures for the my first "completion" but I've gotten a Genco Goldseal and Shumate blade cleaned up to my liking. (Not "TRUE" mirror...as least by my standards but definitely "clean" and aesthetically pleasing. ...but that's another thread) Made a set of scales out of clear Lexan that I then 'frosted' with 600grit paper. Things were going good. I was getting excited. No drill press...free-handed it. That was my first mistake...but the results were passable. No washers. I"m waiting on my order from microfasteners. (Like I said, I wasn't expecting miracles!) I got my 1/16" brass rod from a R/C hobby shop. I THINK it's actual brass as it is the same material all the way through and doesn not throw a spark. WHEN I WENT TO TAPPING NOTHING MOVED/FLATTEN/SMASHED/SMOOSHED! When I went to whacking...the rod bent. Can't say I didn't know better, but

So am I just not being patient enough and should expect to sit down, get comfortable and tap awhile? Do I have the wrong type of rod? I was using a 14oz hammer and an old axe head for an anvil...so I was quite the opposite of under-gunned for the project! Am I just expecting to much moving/flattening/smashing and smooshing? The pins did hold in the Lexan...not just from the bend in the rod.

My best guess is that I'm just expecting too much, and leaving the pins too long. Combine that with extra "grip" the washers would give to the rod on the scales and I think my problems may disapear.

But you are the guys in the know.


BTW, the I was quite enamoured by the "cloudy" cleare Lexan and brass wedge I made from key stock. I thought it looked great, and was fitting, for a blade named Goldseal but it balanced horribley. The short 5/8 blade can't take all that brass as the end of the handle. May try a large, and much thinner, brass washer for the my next wedge source.

As always,

Thanks