Thread: SCALES KEEP CRACKING

This is the third set of scales that i have done the same thing to. Am i cutting the blanks in the incorrect direction from the block? Not enought space around pin, scales not thick enough [there just under an 1/8th" I have been using the 3/4 x 3/4 x 6" pen blocks from woodcraft. Here are some pick of whats happening. Any and all comments will be welcome. [ unless your gunna call me an idget ]

This is also before the pins were tight

Can you tell me a couple of measurements????

How thick are the scales???

what size are the pins???

what size are the holes you drilled through the scales????


Is the wedge pin set???
is it tight or just set???
the washer in the pic does not look flat on the bottom against the scales is it???
washers actually have two sides one is flat and one is ever so slightly rounded the flat side goes down the rounded side goes up...
is there an inner bearing washer???

What size rod are you using for your pins and what size of hole are you drilling?
I cracked several sets of scales before someone (Glen IIRC) told me to use a 3/32" drill bit for my 1/16" rod. I had been using a 1/16" bit and cracked every set that I made.

Answers within your quote

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Can you tell me a couple of measurements????

How thick are the scales???
Just under 1/8th"

what size are the pins???
1/16th"

what size are the holes you drilled through the scales????
1/16th

Is the wedge pin set???
yes
is it tight or just set???
just set with microfasteners not tight
the washer in the pic does not look flat on the bottom against the scales is it???
Yes rounded side up
washers actually have two sides one is flat and one is ever so slightly rounded the flat side goes down the rounded side goes up...
is there an inner bearing washer???
Yes , however crack happened before the pin got tight

From what you're saying then I gotta go with the size of the hole, also set your wedge pin first. then the pivot,,,, then tighten wedge then tighten pivot...

The size I drill at is 5/64 FWIW it leaves just enough play room.... also keep in mind those rods we use are not exact there is a bit of variance... I would bet most of that is toward the thick side... As you peen the pin if it swells or bends even the slightest bit it will crack the scale...

There are other ways to do this I am sure but this is the most successful way I have found...

Ps: all this assumes you are gently tapping the pins....If you put yer finger on the anvil, and tap it with the hammer right at the cuticle of yer fingernail, and it hurts, yer tapping to hard...
Pss; Practice with Popsicle sticks it is very tasty, and good practice at not cracking the scales...

I can also see that the washer is bent inwards and looks a bit like funnel.
Is it possible that you hit too hard while pinning on top of other considerations mentioned by Glen?

I've never drilled my own scales, but I have noticed that the 1/16 drill bit I use to depin always fits through the holes in vintage scales with a little wiggle room. So I think the bigger hole must be for a reason. I'd try that, as Glen recommended, and see what happens.

Yea, That looks like what I did to some beautiful Olive wood, purple heart and Koa...I finally lightened my tap enough when I heard some say try "doing it like you are hitting it with a tablespoon"....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

From what you're saying then I gotta go with the size of the hole, also set your wedge pin first. then the pivot,,,, then tighten wedge then tighten pivot...

The size I drill at is 5/64 FWIW it leaves just enough play room.... also keep in mind those rods we use are not exact there is a bit of variance... I would bet most of that is toward the thick side... As you peen the pin if it swells or bends even the slightest bit it will crack the scale...

There are other ways to do this I am sure but this is the most successful way I have found...

Ps: all this assumes you are gently tapping the pins....If you put yer finger on the anvil, and tap it with the hammer right at the cuticle of yer fingernail, and it hurts, yer tapping to hard...
Pss; Practice with Popsicle sticks it is very tasty, and good practice at not cracking the scales...

Thanks for the tips, it probably is the holes as i had to use a little force to get the pin in the hole of the scales. I did the hammering of the finger thingy just before i peen pins to get the motion down. Diabetic so i will have to skip the popsickles.
Thanks again Glen

Thank you to all for the input seems like most agree it's the hole size will try again.
Does anyone think i could salvage them with superglue? Aah heck it's only 2 bucks worth of wood, start over.
This is what they were supposed to look like without break and front microfastener