Thread: Wedge angle

Originally Posted by jreiter22

Thank you Otis that is a very good explanation of fitting the wedge. Bill said the width of the blade but I could not visualize what he meant from his explanation. I am using 18 gauge brass escutcheon pins and 1/16 brass rod for pins. I have to make a fixture to hold the rod for pre- heading.

I have made a dimpling block for #0 washers but the ones I have still look to large. I have ordered #0 and #00 brass washers from Micro. I am currently using salvaged washers for my repairs.

Do you have any suggestions on the washers? I have not tried cutting blanks from 1/16" brass tubing and forming them on the dimpling block.

Washers for the inside at the pivot, or washers for the outside to hold the scales together?
For the inside washers: Tower Hobbies has some 8.5 x 11 sheets of thin plastic that works good for spacing washers and for friction control of the blade as it rotates against the scales. The stuff is less than half a mil thick and comes in a couple different colors. Use leather punches for whatever diameter you want to use to make the washers. I like 3/16. Put a 1/16 hole in the center with a makeshift punch on an individual basis for each washer or drill several at a time as they build up inside of the leather punch by making a dozen at a time.
The makeshift punch can be made by grinding a flat spot on a slight angle at the non-business end of a 1/16 inch drill bit. Put it in your drill press upside down and match it up to a 1/16 hole you have previously drilled in a piece of steel. Place the plastic disc over the hole, press the drill bit through the plastic into the hole in the block and bingo - a washer is made. This can also work with shim material of thin brass. Make sure the hole is deep enough in the lower block to make several washers before having to drill out the hole to remove the plastic plugs or brass plugs.
For outside washers: Use the #0 brass or stainless washers that are .125 OD, .065 ID. You can get larger dia washers also to stack them to achieve the bullseye look. The size #00 can also be incorporated into use for the bullseye washers or just as a lone washer. However, if used by themselves, be careful peening them because you will easily embed the washer in softer scale material during the process. Also, the inside diameter for the #00 is around .055 as I recall and you would have to ream the hole out to a minimum of .062 to use 1/16 rod. A #51 drill bit works if I remember correctly. You can also order 1/16 nickel silver rod to go with the stainless #0 washers if you don't want yellow for pins. Nickel silver is merely white brass to simplify the nomenclature.

Stopped by Harbor Freight for some 1200 wet or dry. They had some small long nose pliers without side cutters for $1.99. I drilled them to hold pins for pre heading like someone suggested works and much easier than my idea. I will look for the wiki on the washers.

Originally Posted by jreiter22

Ben, that is about my wedge angle. I think I will reduce the angle for the stiffer scales to reduce the strain on the pins. Is that wedge epoxied with no pin?

Sorry, only just seen this. It's glued with waterproof PVA. No pin at the wedge end. There are photo's of it in the workshop somewhere. It wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but i liked the clean look.
If you glue & don't pin the wedge can move when you clamp & the scales move easily. You have to ensure everything remains exactly where you want it.