First scales project (lots of pics)

A few weeks ago, I picked up an old Shumate 256 at a local antique store. The scales were very cheap plastic replacements, and I figured this would be a good razor to try to re-scale. I didn't have any sentimental attachment to the blade, and could do the project without worrying that I might ruin something.

I happened to have a pile of scrap Bubinga in my garage, so I started cutting, planing, sanding, and shaping. Here's the result.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Rescale-3.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Rescale-2.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Rescale-4.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Rescale-5.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Rescale-7.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../Rescale-6.jpg

The wedge is poplar. I made some washers to go between the scales and the blade out of 0.002" brass shim stock. The pins are 3/32" brass.

I took a small block of aluminum and carved a divot out with the Dremel to receive the bottom side of the pin while I peened the top. As you can see, my peening technique leaves a lot to be desired, but that will come with practice. I also didn't use washers on the outside of the scales. I figured I would just ding them up, and I kind of like the cleaner look.

I learned something about wedges from this - you can definitely make a wedge with too steep an angle! For my next set, the wedge will be thinner and shallower.

The finish is plain tung oil from Homer Formby. It worked well on a rosewood drum shell I was working on, and it makes a very nice matte finish here, I think. I've got about 10 coats, with sanding and steel wool in between each coat.

I think I would also make a slightly shallower curve next time, to make holding the blade during stropping easier.

All in all, I think it's an okay start. Lots of good lessons. On to the next one!

Fred

Congrats on your first mission. It turned out really nice. You even managed to pull a tapered wedge for your first project. Very nice finish on the wood too. Way to go. It will only get better. Thanks for sharing.

Nice job!!!!

-Chief

Nice and clean job!

Very, very nice. I especially like the finish.

Excellent job on your first project!!
welcome to the club. :tu

Damn you shutterbug for making so nice scales. I've been looking at your custom scales and I have to say that you can make me a pair any day of the year. Your scales looks great. And fpatton, your scales are nice too.

yes, very nice - inspiring for a first go.

one note, tho: Formby's tung oil is not "plain tung oil." I actually *love* Formby's "tung oil" and after using it think, for most things, its crazy to go back to a regular (urethane) varnish. But Formby's is a tung oil / urethane mix, with the emphasis on the urethane. You can use pure tung oil - which behaves *very* differently as it lacks the urethane resin that really hardens into a solid surface, though I think the best stuff out there, liquid magic for wood, is the stuff from Sutherland Welles, which is *Real* tung oil, polymerized (basiccally just means brought to a high heat to increase lustre and reduce drying time - plain tung oil can take up to a week to dry between coats). Sorry if this is being picky, but when I learned all this stuff I was very angry at the misinformation of companies like Formby's when it comes to Tung oil. If only there were a Tung Oil lobby to force a clean-up of the mess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mijbil

yes, very nice - inspiring for a first go.

one note, tho: Formby's tung oil is not "plain tung oil." I actually *love* Formby's "tung oil" and after using it think, for most things, its crazy to go back to a regular (urethane) varnish. But Formby's is a tung oil / urethane mix, with the emphasis on the urethane.

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Quite right, of course. "Plain" was an editorial error on my part. It's really "Tung Oil Finish", which means it also has some other additives.

I've been a fan of Formby's stuff for a long time, but this is the first time I've used this particular product. It was recommended to me by the local hardwood retailer for use on a rosewood drum shell, which it also looked great on.

Fred