Tips for shaping/sizing the spacer
I am working on a new set of scales for a Frederck Reynolds and decided to use purpleheart. So far things are going well, blade is in the tumbler and basic shape of the scales has been decided on.
I was going to use CA to finish.
SWMBO wants me to use a purpleheart spacer. I'm willing to humor her (I know what is good for me).
The question I have is about final fitting and shaping of the spacer. I would normally finish the scales to the appropriate amount of shininess, then work with an oversized spacer. Once the scales are pinned I then shape the spacer, being careful to not remove any of the finish from the scales.
With the method I just documented I don't see how I can finish the spacer ahead of time and keep the finish. I also don't understand how I can appropriately size the spacer before pinning, since normally the application of the finish to the scales puts everything out just a little, forcing some tweaking of the spacer size/shape.
I could run a coat or two of CA on the inside of the scales and then glue in the spacer and treat it like a one piece set of scales. Not sure if that would be looked upon as cheating though.
Anyone have any suggestions?