Thread: Process for Finishing wooden wedge

I'm just wondering how you guys go about finishing a wooden wedge going into non-wood scales. Do you coat it(CA, epoxy,..) first and then fit it or fit it first then finish it while it's in the scales? I'm using micarta scales with a thuya Burl wedge. Sounds like it won't look good buy I think it will work out nicely, If not I can just change it anyway. Would it help to line it with something? Any pics of wooden wedges in non-wood scales?

I've seen it two ways... Finish first then fit OR pin it then finish the whole end. The problem I see with the second way is that the wedge becomes glued to the scales. I guess you wouldn't notice (or care), but it irks me.

If you fit it then finish it, be prepared to re-fit it since CA and especially epoxy will add some thickness and the finish may not be perfectly even.

I don't see why mixing materials will be such a big deal if you use CA. The CA will almost stabilize the wood. What color is the micarta? Interested to see the final product....

I do not see way to finish the wedge with CA or epoxy and get a perfect fit.
It can be very close if one sands the scale and the wedge when they are put together but I think it will be still a tad off.

Yeah that's what I think the problem. I think I'll fit it already CA'd then sand it with micromesh to get a flusher fit. I'll post the pics in the end here. It's for a WB Bow razor, using black paper micarta.

What you may be able to do is build up enough CA on the sides of the wedge so that you can sand it flat, but still retain a layer of CA. Sort of like finishing the outside of the scales when using CA.

This way your wedge will have a little extra thickness, but the sides of the wedge are flat.

Or don't use CA. I soak the wedge in oil which penetrates deeply so that when you sand it to fit you still have a protective finish.

Set the wedge, using mock up screws and nuts, sand it flush, take it out, sand lightly around the outside, finish it, sand and buff to suit and place it back.... That should do the trick... The light sanding after it is flush, should be about the same as the finish coats...