Making scales from Sintra (PVC)

I work as a graphic designer/sign maker, and one material we use quite frequently is Sintra. It is basically a PVC material that comes in various thicknesses and colors. I am considering trying to make a set of scales with this to see how it goes. Here are the benefits that I can see:

-Easy to cut/ work with
-sands easily enough
-waterproof
-remove scratches (from sanding) by "melting" outer (just hit it gently with a lighter/torch/heat gun)
-and most importantly, its FREE... to me anyway. I have a zillion scrap pieces in the back of the shop.

I thought I might try my hand at this. What's to lose?

Any one else here familiar with this product? have you tried this yet? thoughts?

These certainly wouldn't be "heirloom" scales, and would probably only last a few years, as Sintra tends to break down over time and become brittle when exposed to UV. .... but the price is right to give it a try.

It sounds like it might be fun to practice with this stuff (basic shapes, pinning)

BUT think again. If you know that this material breaks down over time (a few years) then do you really want to sock in the time to make these look good (smooth shaping, rounding off, sanding, polishing)?

Once you feel more experienced I would really advise using some material that will go the distance.

great point.

Yes, definitly fun to practice with, and that was my intention. Having NEVER made scales, or done any pinning, I thought this might be a great way to get my feet wet, and because of the nature of the material, it doesnt really take alot to get it presetable. once it is sanded (even with a rough sandpaper-- say, 60 grit) all you have to do is carefully heat it up with a lighter and it will smooth itself out and look sort of satin. After that is done you can finish it off with a coat of some glossy KRYLON spray on polyurethane. not really much work to make it presentable. So all my efforts would be spent in making it the right size and a nice shape... great skill set to have when working with material with a better shelf life.
But in the long run, I suspect that one success with this medium will have me running out and buying a piece of nice wood to try on next:D.

Well, I got the blanks cut and drilled today. Then I sanded them, and made the wedge. The scales are black with a grey wedge, kinda classy and simple.
I will be on the lookout for something to polish it up with this weekend, and once I get a blade in it I will post pics.
So far though, I am very pleased! they look nice.

Here is a pic of the scales so far (not shined up yet). Pretty basic, but I like em.

Those actually have a pretty nice, albeit basic, look to them. Make sure you take some high resolution pictures once you get them shined up and finished and post them for us to see!

Attached is a pic of them done with a Griffon carbo magnetic blade pinned in. Also, a white set of scales I made for a Crown and Sword 1720 (not done yet, but a neat shape).
I am unable to give this material a nice polish, so it ends up with a matte, sort of vintage look, and the white remembles bone a bit if you leave some scrathes. Certainly not the prettiest material, but it's super easy to work with and should hold up well for a few years. I treated the black with mink oil (the paste kind).

When the material starts breaking down is it going to cause cell rot like celluloid? I'd check into this just in case. I'm sure someone here will know. :gl:

Up until my little adventure with scale making, my exerience with Sintra has been that it does not "rot". Over the course of a few years, being outside and constantly bombarded with UV rays, it will dry out and become brittle, snapping and breaking... but I have never know it to rot, and I have seen pieces of sintra that have been ouside for 5+ years in all sorts of damp, nasty conditions.
Other than that...... I dont know. What's "cell rot"?

Correct me if I'm wrong fellas...cell rot is when the celluloid scales start to break down and release gases that cause rust that destroys the razor beyond repair. Again, I have no idea if it will occur with this material. I just didn't wanna see one of your babies get ruined.

Ok, so a little research has led me to the conclusion that the "rot" mentioned above was a result of the celluloid material outgasing, and causing the steel from the blade to corrode.
The question remains, will PVC do this as well?
I'm going to go out on a limb and say no. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and its closed cell counerpart, Sintra, (from what I understand) do not outgas as such, and will not harm steel. I cant find a scientific explanation to back this up, so for now I guess it's just a gut feeling, but if I'm wrong, I'd love to know. so, someone knowledgeable chime in, please.

Here is a great article I found that explains in detail how certain plastics degrade and affect objects around them (i.e. the celluloid "rot")

Care of Plastics--WN January 2002

After reading through this, I am left with the conclusion that PVC, while not the best material for straight razor scales, should pose no harm to steel, as it does not emit an acidic gas as it deteriorates.

I hold the position that PVC is a decent enough, economy material for straight razor scales, if the expectation is not that they will last a lifetime.

Someone, please give that a readthrough, and let me know if you are left with the same conclusion I am, or if I am missing something.

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheeks

I work as a graphic designer/sign maker, and one material we use quite frequently is Sintra. It is basically a PVC material that comes in various thicknesses and colors.
...snip....

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Interesting stuff.

Let us know how the scales hold up with time.
I expect they will be just fine. When tinkering
a lot depends on what you have handy to work with.
Too often a project takes you on an adventure
not unlike shaving a yak.

I know this thread has been quiet for a while but i found it while doing some research on PVC for scale material and if it had been tried. I use it to make bows and it holds up well. As far as UV damage, if you don't have it sitting in direct sunlight this should be a non-issue even without any kind of outer coating. If you do a light paint this should be more than enough protection. I plan on making a set of PVC scales for a razor i have coming if it ends up needing them and since this will be my first attempt i figure i should use a material i am familiar with. I would like to hear if your scales have held up over the past few years.

You should be fine cowboy. Like you say "as long as it's not sitting in UV all day everyday." I am not a chemist but I had one working for me once and pvc comes in a lot of flavors from soft and pliable to hard as a white dog turd. Sun takes the "oil" ( because I can't remember the chemical name for it) out of it and it basically dries out brittle.

When I work with plastic I always look up the MSDS first.

http://www.substratum.org/wp-content...intra-MSDS.pdf

Personally I would not use this for scales.
V/R

Tim

Which aspect makes you feel that way. Just curious. I will be going over the msds more later when I can open it up on my computer rather than my phone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by UAcowboy

Which aspect makes you feel that way. Just curious. I will be going over the msds more later when I can open it up on my computer rather than my phone.

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One paragraph provides generic but good advice"
"These products are not considered to be a health hazard in the form in which they are sold (sheet, panel).
However, if these products are abraded, melted, welded, cut or processed in any manner that causes release of
fumes or dusts, hazardous levels of fumes or dusts may be generated from this product."

Any of us that are sanding, buffing, grinding or making dust of any type should be managing that dust
in the shop. Personal respirator as well as bulk air filtration and exhaust for the shop.

Members here have posted pictures of their shops and I have noted many ventilation as well as dust collection
and removal tricks. Wood dust especially some of the tropical wood is serious trouble too.