Thread: To glue or not to glue?

Is there any reason, other than personal choice, to glue or not to glue a wedge while constructing a set of scales?

The only reason I can see is that you will never be able to take the scales apart without damaging something.

If I make scales, I often put them together, see where they need more work, and then take them apart again for more filing and sanding.
But if I should glue them together, then that would not be possible anymore.

Originally Posted by Bruno

The only reason I can see is that you will never be able to take the scales apart without damaging something.

If I make scales, I often put them together, see where they need more work, and then take them apart again for more filing and sanding.
But if I should glue them together, then that would not be possible anymore.

I can see your point during construction, but what about for the final product? I've come across a bunch of scales that are one piece, with a solid ...front? is that what it's called?.... with gluing you could replicate that, and maybe not even use a pin like the true one pieces. Of course, if something breaks the whole thing is ruined, instead of the ability to take it apart later to fix the one side you'd have to replace the whole set.

But I'm such a noob it's not even funny, when it comes to straights. I'd love to hear answers from those more qualified.

I glued the wedge in place with no pin on my Friodur. It works just fine & i like the smooth lines. I'm making some more for a W&B right now, the same way. There are photo's in the workshop, if you're interested, but it seems a bit self indulgent to post you a link!

Originally Posted by ben.mid

... but it seems a bit self indulgent to post you a link!

That's awfully humble of you. That's a beautiful job you did on that. Here's a link.

Ha, cheers. I knew you'd find it easily enough if you wanted to see it though.

You find them different ways on the vintage razors, free floating wedges, one side glued, both sides glued, no wedge at all glued and no wedge free floating...
I have never been able to figure out the whys and wherefores of the different ways....

the only reason I could think of would simply be to stop the rotating of the wedge inbetween scales. I have a set of (plastic) scales that suffer from this problem.

Originally Posted by chief

the only reason I could think of would simply be to stop the rotating of the wedge inbetween scales. I have a set of (plastic) scales that suffer from this problem.

You can easily tighten the rivet ...... with care. This tutorial, in the SRP Wiki, by Glen will tell you how to tighten a rivet.

thanx for the advice Jimmy, but it doesn't do the trick on this particular razor, the blade also sits very loose inbetween the scales and doesn't react to tapping the rivet either. I don't want to destroy the scales either. Might have to repin them I guess...