The Buff....

I was working on a couple sets of scales tonight, and I thought maybe I'd post a couple of pics. I've often found myself searching for threads on subjects like the CA finish, Tung Oil and burnishing, etc. So I had these scales and they were all in different stages....so I took some pictures.

Bear with me please....I don't know how to put text between photos yet.

There are three sets of scale finishes in these photos.

1. There is one Bubinga scale that has had four coats of tung oil rubbed in, and has been burnished for the last two coats. After the final coat, I rubbed with 2000 grit 3M to obtain an even finish. It is the dullest of all the finishes.

2. There are two purple heart scales with a third pin hole, and 1 bubinga scale that have received a final buff of Fabulustre (a white jewelry polish). They are a soft sheen in the photos.

3. There are two purple heart scales with round toe and heel that have a CA finish on them, and have been sanded at 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and a final buff of Fabulustre. They are the highest gloss of all the scales.

This is just an attempt to put the finishes side by side, so that people starting out in the scale making and stuff can get a bit of a handle on what they would like to do....

I certainly have a boat load of learning yet, but I thought this may be kind of neat to see.

Here are the pics.Attachment 71134Attachment 71136Attachment 71137Attachment 71135

how bout a tactile side by side with this visual side by side? I love the way ca glue can look as a finish but the plastic feel of the coat looses something on me (and I hate working with it).

Which of those finishes leaves more of a natural feel to the material?

This is pretty cool, thanks for putting it up. Im workin on my first set of scales in G10 right now, but I want to get into some wood ones before too long, very nice job on the scales btw

I find that the tung oil leaves the most natural feel to the material, before anything is buffed. There is still the feel of the grain, and that super smooth wood feel. Once I buff them, I can feel that compound slightly.

The CA does feel a little like plastic, but it's just so amazing when it's done. Incidentally....this was my first set of CA scales, which may be why I'm partial to them right now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Maxi

I find that the tung oil leaves the most natural feel to the material, before anything is buffed. There is still the feel of the grain, and that super smooth wood feel. Once I buff them, I can feel that compound slightly.

The CA does feel a little like plastic, but it's just so amazing when it's done. Incidentally....this was my first set of CA scales, which may be why I'm partial to them right now.

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I have to agree, CA finish looks awesome when it is done I just hate working with it. That may be because the one set I did with a CA finish I glued to my fingers twice and almost glued to my face once.

I tried to use tung oil on the first set of wood scales I made but I may have not put enough on. I only put a coat or two but I didn't do anything after that to seal or wax it, I think that was my problem :(

Try another set....we learn a little bit each time we attempt something. I'm still making a brilliant amount of mistakes each time, but one thing I can guarantee is that there is a marked difference between my first set of scales a year or so ago, and the ones I'm making now. And it's all because of practice.