CA Question

[baldy]

I'm just about ready do start my first CA finish application but I just want some advice first. When coating the inside edge of the scales do you coat the area where the wedge will sit. I like to have my wedges sit really flush and snug against the scale and I'm wondering if the sanding that goes with the CA finish will cause some rounding of the wood in that area.
Hope you can understand what I'm talking about.
Thanks
Grant

[Sibban]

ive only done one restoration so far but i thought of this to and i actualy skipped the inside, just sanded it with the finest paper i had and then sanded off the drops on a machine and some more handsanding. I thought that since its made of tree that ill just have to careful and not dip the handle in water or something like that, no problems yet

[ScottGoodman]

Yes to answer your question. To get the wedge to fit like you are talking you just need a flat surface for the wedge. I just lay my sandpaper on the workbench or other known flat surface and sand the CA finish "flat". The wedge will then fit as well as it would have before the finish went on. I ALWAYS finish the inside of a set of scales. I typically glue the wedge to one of scales as well...makes things easier for me. Hope i was clear...probably as clear as mud...

[baldy]

Thanks shooter, I just laid on the first coat. Your answer is just what I wanted to know.
Grant

[Catrentshaving]

Great question and thanks for posting it. I'm one of those flush finish guys too but havent tried wood scales or the CA finish yet.

[floppyshoes]

IMHO, it's not important to have a thick finish on the inside. The inside surfaces, after all, don't see the same physical stresses the outside does. it just has to be water-resistant.

I recommend you stop at 2-3 coats on the inside and sand to at least 600 grit when you're done. This way the finish on the inside is not thick enough to produce any kind of noticeable separation between the scales and the wedge.

If you want to thickly coat all surfaces or are using another finish that builds up fast, you'll have to finish the scales with the wedge and temporary pin in place. This is a process I'm sure most craftsmen would choose to avoid.