Thread: Query: Drilling the wedge and pivot holes in the scales

I have been curious lately about what the most common/preferred stage is to drill your holes into the scales once made.

There are several options:
While still glued/taped together
One scale at a time
Both scales at once
Not until the wedge is in, et al.

Personally, I drill the holes while I still have the two pieces taped as one, and before finishing. I find that his gives pretty straight and consistent holes.

I guess what I am really asking is: At what stage do you yourself drill your wedge and pivot holes into your scales and what has worked best for you?

Originally Posted by sapito318

While still glued/taped together
One scale at a time
Both scales at once
Not until the wedge is in, et al.

That's pretty much saying the same thing. None the less that's my MO.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

That's pretty much saying the same thing. None the less that's my MO.

Yah, I guess it is redundant ...

Now... Is that your opinion about redundancy... or drilling..?

I always drill both holes right after I cut the profile out on the band saw but before I start profiling them. That way I have two nice, flat surfaces to sit on my drill press table and ensure the holes are exactly perpendicular to the inside surfaces of the scales whe everything is done.

For the spacer/wedge (whatever you feel it should be called) I drill first, then affix it in place and profile it. For a simple wooden wedge, I even drill it before sanding the flat stock into a wedge.

The above procedure is what I choose to do, it isn't the best, but has worked well for me so far.

Originally Posted by floppyshoes

I always drill both holes right after I cut the profile out on the band saw but before I start profiling them. That way I have two nice, flat surfaces to sit on my drill press table and ensure the holes are exactly perpendicular to the inside surfaces of the scales whe everything is done.

For the spacer/wedge (whatever you feel it should be called) I drill first, then affix it in place and profile it. For a simple wooden wedge, I even drill it before sanding the flat stock into a wedge.

The above procedure is what I choose to do, it isn't the best, but has worked well for me so far.

Yep + 1 here especially the part about Before profiling the scales, drilling on the flats....

and also here are a just a few links to some illustrated guides

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

I actually drill the holes before I even cut out the profile. That way I have parallel sides to clamp in my milling vise.

I drill my wedge after finishing and I drill it the next size larger so it doesn't bind the brass rod when I go to put it all together.

Similar to floppyshoes;

After profile cut i do the scales while they are taped

And do the wedge before final profiling (ie after its close, one mm off perfect fit) but after making the minor wedge shape, that way the hole goes more 'straight' through the wedge instead of following perpendicular to one of the wedge surfaces.

+Buckler

I use a bubble level on a drill. I completely finish the scales, rough grind the wedge, glue them together, drill through the whole mess clamped. Then I fine tune the edges of the wedge