First attempt at rounded scales

I thought it was time I manned up and spent some serious time on a set of scales. I started out shooting for the full rounded look. But, since I am not particularly skilled with a file or my beltsander, the rounding took much longer than I'd anticipated.

So, these have thus far been about half rounded. I left a matte finish because I may not be done shaping them yet, but I threw in a blade just to give some perspective. Naturally, I based my shaping of an old horn set out of Sheffield.

More photos to come, when I have them fully finished and fitted.

Attachment 73324

Nice and understated. I like. :)

They look good Dylan. I like them a lot.

Very nice Dylan. You learn a lot more doing things the slow way.
I may have to make a video on how to make rounded scales with a dremel, it may work well for you.

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Originally Posted by deighaingeal

Very nice Dylan. You learn a lot more doing things the slow way.
I may have to make a video on how to make rounded scales with a dremel, it may work well for you.

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I haz no demral.

I really did learn a lot from this first run through. Even just getting lower grit sandpaper - I did the rounding with 220 on the beltsander and then 400 grit by hand - will save me a ton of time, and I now have the confidence to do it.

He Who Haz no drmial! He has better stuff! Great job, man! Only thing you might do is skinny them up a bit toward the pivot end. I hate to suggest anything as they really look perfect on that blade! Nice looking!

Use the belt to rough in the shape. Pick up a foam sanding block from the local hardware store, cut you sand paper into 1-2 inch wide strips that are long enough to wrap around the sides of the spongy sanding block so you can hold the paper with your fingers then sand to final shape with it. The foam block will mould to the contour of the scale and give you a nice smooth rounded shape. I go to wet paper after 400 and sand in the kitchen sink using the foam block out to 2000 grit then buff with some white, then chrome ox compound to polish them up.

Nice start Dylan, I really like the black horn with that blade. BTW, what thickness was your blank to begin with?

Stu

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

He Who Haz no drmial! He has better stuff! Great job, man! Only thing you might do is skinny them up a bit toward the pivot end. I hate to suggest anything as they really look perfect on that blade! Nice looking!

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Yea, they are a bit thicker than I'd like by the tang. I didn't realize until I popped the blade in, and now I don't want to thin them because I'd have to re-round the edges. I'm going to try to find something with a big tang to drop in.

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Originally Posted by Str8Raz0r

Nice start Dylan, I really like the black horn with that blade. BTW, what thickness was your blank to begin with?

Stu

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That's actually acrylic, not horn. But I appreciate your mistake - I thought the matte finish looked kind of horn-like, too. It's 1/8 stock.

Nice! I think you should keep the satin finish gives it the classic look! like the old Mercs.

Looks great! Personally I think you should leave them the way they are, it goes well with the patina of the blade, well done!

They look good to me mate. Rounding scales out is more work, but its worth it IMO.