Thread: My first scales

This is my first go at making scales. I used 3/16 acrylic. I didn't lay them out on the computer, simply traced the old scales and added some extra around the pin.
Pinning was the most unnerving part of the whole operation, as acrylic cracks pretty easily. But it went well. I wish I had some brass washers to put on the outside of the scales, but I didn't have any.

I thought the new scales were going to be too heavy, but they work surprisingly well. I love the tight pivot I was able to achieve. And the blade is centered perfectly in the scales.

All in all, I am pleased with the result. If I was to do it again, I would try and make them a bit slimmer, maybe lay them out on the computer first. I might still take them back to the belt sander and remove more material.

Anyone know a good source for sheet brass, in the 20-50 mil range?

Thanks.

Well done! Those are pretty nice, especially for a first effort. Classic design, and fit the razor well. It is unusual with no pin at the wedge, but perhaps glue is sufficient. Some washers might also have reduced the danger of cracking the scales, and I like the visual interest they add, but it seems you did well without.
For sheet brass, I don't have a specific vendor, I got some off ebay but don't have a seller's name or anything. If I recall, it was quite cheap and a really small quantity - so small I might even be able to use it all

Thanks!

I used methylene chloride, which is actually a solvent for acrylic. They call it "solvent welding", rather than gluing. There is no way it is coming apart without breaking the base material in the process. I suspect it is several times stronger than a pin would be. A pin creates somewhat of a stress point and acrylic doesn't like it.

Are rifle rounds made of brass, or is it some other alloy?

Thanks.

ive got a friend who likes making things from scratch,he get hi brass at the local srcap yard,lower cost and so on

Originally Posted by time2shave

This is my first go at making scales. I used 3/16 acrylic. I didn't lay them out on the computer, simply traced the old scales and added some extra around the pin.
Pinning was the most unnerving part of the whole operation, as acrylic cracks pretty easily. But it went well. I wish I had some brass washers to put on the outside of the scales, but I didn't have any.

I thought the new scales were going to be too heavy, but they work surprisingly well. I love the tight pivot I was able to achieve. And the blade is centered perfectly in the scales.

All in all, I am pleased with the result. If I was to do it again, I would try and make them a bit slimmer, maybe lay them out on the computer first. I might still take them back to the belt sander and remove more material.

Anyone know a good source for sheet brass, in the 20-50 mil range?

Thanks.

Good job, and hearing that you are already making plans for the next one, sounds like you got bit by the restore/rescale bug, lol. Welcome aboard.

Brass for liners I just pick up at Ace hardware. Use care if thats what your doing due to it does add a bit of weight, so you'll want to have the scales as thin as reasonable to still balance nice. Should be able to get brass and/or stainless #0 washers there to, along with 1/16 brass rod.

I wouldnt worry too much about laying out on the computer, unless that is the way you like to sketch. When that razor was new, electricity wasn't really needed, let alone a computer.

For me, pining the razors is one of the more satisfying parts of the job, knowing almost done, getting to see it all come together. Stress will go away soon enough.

Good luck on the projects

This stuff is contagious for sure!
I don't have another blade to rescale right now, but I may have to find me one.

I checked Lowes and they didn't have much. I drove right past an Ace store and figured they wouldn't be much better. I guess I will have to pay them a visit.
Actually, I was thinking of making my own brass washers, rather than liners. But maybe Ace will have ready made washers.

I agree, the computer is not at all necessary. It's faster just to trace the blade onto a piece of paper and draw the scales around it free hand. But I didn't even do this much on this razor, just used the old scales as a pattern.

I thought I might try sanding some of the scales off, as indicated by the red line in the picture. Should go pretty fast on the belt sander. What do you think?

Seems like the big hardware stores dont have a great selection of the hardware we use. I have found better at the independents. Usually everytime I see one I havent been in, I swing inside and often find an #0 with outside diameter I dont have in my inventory. For online supplier, microfasteners.com is a very popular supplier of washers used. IMO cost of shipping well worth not running around town.

If I were to take it back to the belt sander, I likely would be doing about the opposite of your red line. I would make the area thinner at the pivot side. You'd need to unpin the razor then. The other thing I would do may be more personal to my style. I would make the edges thinner, not as round on the edges. I would do it so no real flat area on the face of the scales, just a gentle curve top to bottom on the face. But as I reflect, I think that's what I like, not right or wrong.

Originally Posted by dirtychrome

If I were to take it back to the belt sander, I likely would be doing about the opposite of your red line. I would make the area thinner at the pivot side.

That is how the original scales looked like. Makes for a better grip while shaving. But I did not trust my pinning abilities and beefed it up around the pivot to keep it from cracking, especially since I didn't have any washers.

Maybe something like this as a compromise?

Janz Knifemaker Supply has liner material in brass and titanium, if you can't find a local supplier.