Thread: First scales: me so stupid

Well, I really hate the blue plastic scales on my Filarmonica, so I decided to make a nice set for them, like the ones I see here. "Doesn't seem too hard" I though. And the plastic scales have a crack near the pin, they'll break apart soon.



The kind guy who honed my razor, sent me two little pieces of Ipe wood, and I ordered some bolts and nuts from microfasteners. Don't have many tools, so I spent 2000 hours cutting the wood with a dull knife, then I spent another 2000 hours handsanding and applying vernish, but yesterday I finally gave them the last vernish layer.

"They don't look bad at all" I said this morning, proud of my work. "let's pin them so I can shave myself this night with a niiice wood scaled straight.

First mistake: the vernish was still quite fresh, and as soon I began manipulating the scales, I left many scratches, dirt and marks over them.

That's not too bad, I can re-vernish them again in a couple of days, let's continue.

"First, I have to make the hole for the pin. I have a electric drill in the basement, but why should I go down to get it, when I have this hammer right here?"

Yeah, sure. Very smart. Lazy ass.

I cracked the scales. Exactly in the same place the plastic ones where cracked.

And the hole is crooked. When I put the pin, the blade is not centered, and it will not close.

Removed some wood, did a little sanding, put some extra washers to center the blade, twisted the pin a little...

Well, they are "finished". Dirty, scratched, and poorly adjusted. Ugly work. At least I think I can use them some time, until I'm in the mood to start over again. I'll show you only the "nice" side of them, I don't want you to laugh of me.



All the hard work, screwed in the last step, just because I'm lazy and impatient.

Lesson learned. It's a shame I always have to learn them the hard way.

Oh don't worry, a first one is not easy.
I've chosen acrylic then to make things easier but its far from perfect.

The next one will be better!

You had to start somewhere! When you're calmer you can have another go, having learned from mistakes, & absorbed tips from the forum. Just try to be more patient & realise that there are only so many shortcuts that pay off.
And anyway, they look absolutely fine in that little thumbnail!

Doesn't even look that bad when you enlarge it.
I'd even say its great for a first.

hey you think that is bad you should see my first, on a zeep no doubt,

I find it best to drill the pin holes before you even cut out or shape the blade. The wood is easier to hold (I use a milling vise) when it's still square and, if you screw it up, at least you haven't already put a lot of work into it. Of course, the electric drill is a good idea too...

Originally Posted by jorgeovi

Lesson learned. It's a shame I always have to learn them the hard way.

you are not alone

OK, you convinced me. I must have a go myself. I make Scandi knives now and then and have been thinking of making some denim micarta for a knife. Think I'll make some thinner stuff and have a go on my Double Arrow!

Also the advice above about drilling before you shape the scales is good. Much easier to clamp down a square piece of material for drilling. I have an El Cheapo drill press that fits my normal household drill that I use for knifemaking so I hopefully can get the holes square!

Gareth

Jergeovi, I know Ipe is not the nicest figured wood to be had, but if you would like some more when you get ready to give it another go, I kept all the end pieces when I did my deck a few years ago. Probably have enough to rescale all the straights in Michigan. PM me if you want any and I'll whack off some for you on my bandsaw and send em over.

I'm getting ready to start some of my own.

We can do this!!

Marc

Thanks, Marc, you're very kind, If I can't get it locally I'll bug you for a couple of planks