just a thought I had... if you were really skilled at scroll-sawing or band-sawing, would it be practical to make a set of 1-piece scales out of wood? obviously you'd need to taper the inside and keep the same thickness on the outside, but can it be done? should it be done? would there be a fatal weakness to the scales if done in 1 piece out of wood? or any other material for that matter, if you have thick enough stock.