Thread: Would timber used for picture framing be any good for making scales?

I am going to attempt to rescale some of my razors. I can imagine in the near future I might like to try my hand at making scales. I don't really have a workshop in which to do it, just on the desk or outside on balcony rail. So there is a good chance I may stuff it up. With this in mind I wanted to get some scale making material which wouldn't really matter if I stuffed it up. I was thinking some old broken furniture might be a good source of timber and then I saw an old broken picture frame we have lying around. I was wondering if the timber used for picture framing would be any good to make into scales.
I would rather use something that I have lying around than have to go out to buy timber. I don't really know how to ask for what I want in Thai.
Thanks for any advice anyone can give me.
Cheers.

i'm pretty sure any hardwood would work. anyone feel free to correct me if that isn't entirely correct.

While I'm sure there are exceptions, in my experiance most picture frame material is pine or other soft wood and it would still have to be cut into usable pieces. You have so little material and so much time invested in a set of scales, I would suggest starting with a material that will probably result in a higher quality product. If you don't know someone with a table saw perhaps you can find a luthier with scraps of rosewood, mahogany, cherry, etc. I got enough material for two razors from a small scrap left over from a guitar back.

Originally Posted by beenpickin

If you don't know someone with a table saw perhaps you can find a luthier with scraps of rosewood, mahogany, cherry, etc. I got enough material for two razors from a small scrap left over from a guitar back.

My Thai language skill are rather limited at the moment. I generally point to something and say in Thai, "I want this." So it would be impossible for me to ask for the nearest luthier, let alone asking for different types of timber. I do know of shops that sell timber but I don't think they have scale manufacturing in mind when they order stock. It is most likely all pine. I also don't know how to tell the difference between different types of timber, especially when it is rough cut and covered in a years worth of Bangkok dirt and grime.

You might be better off going here:

Guitar Parts from Australian Luthiers Supplies - Parts and materials for guitars, basses, mandolins and violins, replacement hardware including bridges and machine heads, wood for tops, backs & sides, necks and fingerboards, tuners, bridges and other

Any of the woods listed for bridge blanks would make very nice scales. Be aware that bridge blanks are 10mm (3/8") thick, so you would need to find someone to resaw them to about 3.5mm thickness before making the scales - OR get a japanese saw and look at this thread.

Originally Posted by ndw76

I would rather use something that I have lying around than have to go out to buy timber. I don't really know how to ask for what I want in Thai.
Thanks for any advice anyone can give me.
Cheers.

If you will send me a PM maybe I can help you out.

Regards- Walt

To check an unknown wood for hardness, try pushing into it with a thumbnail, the more resistance, the harder the wood.