Thread: kevors new scales

those look awesome. How do plan on pinning the bottom? It just seems like it would be hard with the angle that the bottom of the scale is at.

hmm, right.. the pinning.. good point.. On the pivot point I've taken the pinning into account, but not the back.
The test scales might not be useless afterall. For now I'll just look at this problem for a while (have to wait for the pins still).
Problems are like beautiful woman, if you look at them long enough, they will go away :P

The pivot is the most important. They're usually drilled after the outline has been cut, but before shaping. You could simply glue the wedge in place & that eliminates the problem, or you could try to drill it & assume that it will make little enough difference not to throw the blade off centre.

If you figure that one out without completely changing the look of the scales defiantly post that, cause i really like the look of the scales and would really hate to see them completely reshaped.

the pivot pin is easy, if you check my drawing you can see the hole is made in the flat part.
Mental note: Drill holes first!
On the back I was thinking of glue, but I don't want a glued scale...

you could use a cyanoacrylate (superglue or krazyglue) to hold them together, or a 2 part epoxy. They also make an excelerator for these glues so it is pretty much instantly cured after you spray it on. You would just have to make sure that it is waterproof after it has cured. There is an epoxy that cures underwater used for surfboards. just look up epoxy glue on wikipedia and there is an explanation and picture on the right hand side of the screen.

If the scales are wood, & the wedge is wood, i'd recommend nothing more than a quality waterproof PVA, but if you're keen to avoid a glued wedge it's irrelevant.
If you are going to drill them, stick them together with a glue that you can release after. You'll probably struggle if you don't use a pillar drill. Fill a small plastic bag with some sand & tie the top. You should be able to rest the scales on this & it'll create a firm base. Drill through both scales in one go, & fingers crossed, it worked!

Ok, I'm here to inform you guys something went horribly wrong. After thinking a while I've settled for the glue.
These where the finished scales before, with the blade in between. Looks good imho


Glued the scales together with a wedge in between and things started to look good.


I put the scales above a boiling pot of water to soften them, and bent them to the thickness of the blade at the pivot point.


So far so good....
Then it went south.. wanted to drill the hole for the pivot, and something most have slipped. Now the first hole is dead center, but the second one is off by 1.5mm


*sigh*

Yes, you should've drilled it before shaping!

I'd avoid steaming, it shouldn't be necessary.
Ideally, they have the finish on them after drilling the pin & shaping, but before pinning, or fixing together.
It's almost impossible free hand. You really need a pillar drill or a lot of luck.

If you want to try to save them you could epoxy the wrong hole up & try again. Large washers will hide the damage.

Have you read any tutorials? Try following one & you'll really be making things easier on yourself. Guy's with experience have gifted us all with their supreme knowledge. Have a look here.

Yes Ben, I've read them, thanks. Need to pay more attention.... Filled the hole with glue and it's a good seal. Drilled a hole next to it, that went well too.
I thought about waxing before fitting together, but since I'm gluing I'd figure the glue would not hold on the waxed scale.

Then just carried on, this is the result so far.


I heated up the wood over a fire, and applied some wax. Heated it until the wax boiled, and let it cool a little again.
I was a little scared while heating the glued part, but the glue held.

Pins are ordered, so when they are in I can finish it, polish it up real nice 'n stuff. Any feedback is welcome.

kevor