Thread: one piece scale tutorial part 1

I was asked a while back about making one piece scales. I have finally gotten some shop time. I will be some what brief, but this takes many steps. It will be in 2 or 3 post with the step described and the pictures at the end on each post.
My work pales in comparison to many of the greats around here, but I thought I would share. Here it goes:
Step 1 - cut to width and thickness. I go 1/2" thick and 1 1/4" to 1 1/8" wide using the table saw for both.

Step 2 - cut to length. my chop saw will allow a 8" depth, I cut these at about 7"

Step 3 - Place in the jig I made making sure it is square. You will see pictures of the jig throughout the cutting process to get an idea of what I used

Step 4 - center the jig and piece on chop saw.

Step 5 - secure jig at both ends

Step 6 - cut down center of piece SLOWLY

Step 7 - white wood show how the round blade makes an uneven cut. I stand the piece up and use the chopsaw because I found trying to use my table saw creates an even bigger difference in the cu tbeing more uneven.

Step 8 - keeping the piece in the jig and clamping in a vice, use a hand saw to gently cut down the "kerf" until both side are even. (kerf being a fancy name for the area where the blade removed material, ie. blade width)

Step 9 - after using the hand saw, use a flat file on the edge to smooth out the area cut.

Step 10 - Lay the blade your going to use in the kerf and mark where you pivot hole will be. Transcribe this line all the way across the piece of wood.

see part 2 for next 10 steps

what type of wood did you use for your jig and also on the jig did you cut the notches where they sit all the way thru or did it have a piece to rest on. an inside of the jig would be get. ass i have all the tools to do this and one big block of walnut lol

Originally Posted by jballs918

what type of wood did you use for your jig and also on the jig did you cut the notches where they sit all the way thru or did it have a piece to rest on. an inside of the jig would be get. ass i have all the tools to do this and one big block of walnut lol

The wood is red oak. There is no bottom at the dado cuts. they are all the way through, just line up scale piece flush with the bottom.