5mm Steel - Vine

[Shopi]

Hi guys,

After looking at everyones custom scales, I decided to give it a go... I've been trying to find a light steel, nickel, or even Copper / Brass Flat bar, unfortunately all I could get at the moment was 5mm thick mild steel. Cutting out the shape using an angle grinder, and grinded it down. I punched some holes into it, hoping to use a cope saw, I wanted to cut out patterns etc. Unfortunately lol, this didn't work steels to thick I got to thinking, and decided on another path, the pics, i'm posting are only a template to show how it'd work out etc. No mirror finish on it or anything as yet, but using files, i've put a Vine pattern into the edging of the scales. 5 1/2 episodes of Boston Legal later finally finished the pattern. The only other thing, I'd be doing to this 'template' is Drill holes down the middle of the scales ranging from large to smaller holes, and then 'counter sinking' the holes a touch. Any how, here's the pics

(BTW, I don't have a vice as yet, and some of them are slightly off centre etc from doing it all by hand, holding and filing etc.. )

Thanks for looking


Shannon

[BingoBango]

That's pretty cool looking! Aren't they gonna be real heavy though?

[LarryP]

Very cool, Shannon! I really like the edge detail of your scales

[Shopi]

Hey Bingo, yeah they are awful heavy, Just playing around at the moment though, trying a few ideas etc, until I can find somewhere that supplies the metals, etc I'm looking for... I havn't been able to find much online and the steel suppliers here are still as yet to get back to me (It's been 3 days already) I suppose it's be okay using the thick steel for the scales, as a displace piece only lol, got to shave and the balance would be horrid .


Thanks Larry, I need to get myself some jeweller vice, or something to hold it, at least then I'd be able to judge how deep it is, and line it up a little better. unfortunatly all I have was my hands and legs for the 'work grips'.

[LarryP]

unfortunatly all I have was my hands and legs for the 'work grips'.

Looks like you've done pretty well so far! I wonder if you could do some sort of thin copper/brass sheet-inlay-resin sort of thing and get the look you're after without the weight? However you decide to go, keep up the good work. It looks great! Post more pics when you get them!

Warm regards,

Larry

[BKratchmer]

You did very nice filework on the edges! I look forward to seeing some finished projects once you've put together all the proper tools and materials! As I understand it, you might have better luck (even with that thick steel) with a jeweler's saw- which uses very thin diamond-abrasive blades.

I bet Shutterbug will show up sooner or later with some advice from a genuine professional.

[BingoBango]

Yeah, the edgework is really cool.

Have you looked at Metalliferous for supplies? Just google it. Otherwise someone else should chime in soon enough.

[JimmyHAD]

I too like the edge work. I have a pair of metal and wood combination scales by a custom maker (who I won't name) and they are too heavy for the blade. They make the razor awkward to hone, strop or shave with. They are attractive and fortunately he used mini fasteners rather than pins. I have the blade in a pair of wooden scales that make it more user friendly and the original scales put away if I ever want to sell it. Say all of that to say that ergonomics are important. Titanium is a light metal although I hear it is tough to cut and file. Might be a lighter weight alternative though if you intend to continue making scales with metal.

[Shopi]

Have you looked at Metalliferous for supplies? Just google it. Otherwise someone else should chime in soon enough.

Thanks Bingo, I found them, Wow just sent them an email to ask if they ship to aus, they've a huge amount of supplies and nice prices as well.

Titanium is a light metal although I hear it is tough to cut and file. Might be a lighter weight alternative though if you intend to continue making scales with metal.

I've been following shutterbugs post and that man, makes some awesome scales! I love the way he works his scales out, and gave me the inspiration to try metal (never worked with it before) I reckon, if Metalliferous ship 2 aus, I'll get some titanium sent over too.... Metal shops here don't have 'small' strips etc, and can only get large sheets etc.

Thanks guys for the comments and support

Shannon

[shutterbug]

Hey Shannon,

Nice start and I really like what you're doing with the edges.
If metalliferous can't ship try monsterslayer.com or riogrande.com they might be able to help.

Second, look up a book by Tim McCreight called The Complete Metalsmith.
it's not expensive and will show all the basic metalworking techniques along with the appropriate tools for the different jobs. plus tons of data charts and index's.

Third...remember the cardnal rule...."Thy scales should not weight more than thy razor"
That one is important, you can fudge it a bit, but *really* try to keep the mass the same. This will help keep the razor in the ballpark as far as balance goes.

Other than that, let you imagination rule.
finally...don't be afraid to screw up. Mistakes are part of the learning curve and are just as important in helping you learn stuff.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Awesome start!!