Thread: Holding Blanks/Scales Together

I used acetone today on someone else's suggestion. They came apart, but the amount of acetone I had to use caused the wood to warp a bit.

Originally Posted by Theseus

I used acetone today on someone else's suggestion. They came apart, but the amount of acetone I had to use caused the wood to warp a bit.

On thinking about it I am not terribly surprised. Acetone has a pretty strong affinity towards water. Soaking in acetone probably sucks most of the moisture out of the wood, causing it to warp. I'm not sure about this, and somebody will hopefully chime in with exactly what to do, but you may be able to unwarp them by soaking them in water and putting them under some weights to dry for a while. Of course you may need to heat them to get them to actually straighten, and I'm not sure if they would stay straight once dry.

edit: I just searched "how to straighten warped wood" on Google, and came up with a bunch of hits, so you might take a look at that. Good luck

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Rubber cement here... then just twist and them come apart after, stubborn stuff gets a twist and a utility knife blade...

Then just rub the cement off the backside with a finger

Make sure the rubber cement is DRIED on both sides before sticking them together. If they are "wet" it will NOT work!
I KNOW this because I make specialty cards for magic...

Originally Posted by Theseus

Whatever you do, don't use mounting tape. I've still got a nice set of cherry wood scales that won't come apart. Even tried breaking one to save the other to no avail.

Have you tried alcohol?? I mean on the scales.. I have used it for loosening the tape for years. I start by just barely prying the ends of a scale apart with an Xacto knife. then add alcohol and keep gently prying. Some tapes are not affected/
Since they are Cherry scales if the alcohol doesn't work, try acetone.
Cheers
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Have you tried alcohol?? I mean on the scales.. I have used it for loosening the tape for years. I start by just barely prying the ends of a scale apart with an Xacto knife. then add alcohol and keep gently prying. Some tapes are not affected/
Since they are Cherry scales if the alcohol doesn't work, try acetone.
Cheers
~Richard

Just saw this thread is about 2 YEARS old Geezer...

Originally Posted by Chevhead

Just saw this thread is about 2 YEARS old Geezer...

It's still valid, though.

I use double sided tape - industrial stuff that sticks like a limpet. Sticking it to my jumper or trousers first picks up a bit of dust/fibre that allows it to be undone a bit easier.

Regards,
Neil

Still using Rubber Cement here...

Another easy and painless trick is to space three or four drops of wood glue on each scale and sandwich a piece of newspaper between them.

I use that same method 3 drops of woods glue on each side of the blanks with a paper sheet sandwiched in the middle as seen on you tube on a Lewis razors video; check it out!

Go to a golf shop,they carry double sided masking tape for replaced grips,I have never seen it anywhwere else.
Is just like painters tape but double sided,leaves zero residue.