Thread: Wedge or Spacer

For a good wedge, After roughing it to an angle on sandpaper, Then slide it on a file to assure that the surface is really flat on each side. That will reduce the problem of the wedge having spaces next to the scales.

I wish I'd have brought a piece of wood with me to work today. Now I have to go home and try this tomorrow!

Originally Posted by medicevans

Thanks for all the replies so far gentlemen. Very interesting. I need a belt sander apparently. I assume with judicious use of sandpaper one could make a wedge by hand as well.

you can make wedges by hand by using sandpaper yes, I do not own a belt sander and I do them this way.

How do you do it?

I always figured people used spacers because they didn't know that using a wedge had a functional purpose. Not that that should be read as a bad thing; I know there are lots of things I don't know, I just don't know what they are.

I use a beltsander to make wedges, but by hand should be the same; sand the wedge, but use more pressure on the side you want thinner. As a side note, if you don't want to use sandpaper, you can use hones. A DMT works nicely.

Originally Posted by Geezer

For a good wedge, After roughing it to an angle on sandpaper, Then slide it on a file to assure that the surface is really flat on each side. That will reduce the problem of the wedge having spaces next to the scales.

Originally Posted by medicevans

How do you do it?

I use my belt and or disc sander but the easiest way to make a wedge with sandpaper is to find a flat surface (I use a piece of glass) and tape the paper to it. I have a few different grits set up this way. I then use duct tape doubled over wrapped on the tip of my finger so it acts like double sided tape.
I then stick the the wedge piece to my finger and have at it. Keep in mind to keep the heel slightly raised and put the pressure toward the front or tip giving you the angle your looking for. Some people only work one side bit I find it better to flip the piece and work both sides.
Make yourself up a half dozen pieces to practice with and you will find that your getting that wedge much easier and quicker than you know.

This is also a great way to clean up spacer or shim washers when your making them by hand with a hammer. (I have one plate set up with 600 grit that works great)

Originally Posted by medicevans

I assume with judicious use of sandpaper one could make a wedge by hand as well.

Thats what I do. The easiest way to do it is wet some sandpaper and stick it to a DMT to act as a flat surface.

In order to get the taper you just put more pressure on one side of the wedge as you sand.

I don't have a belt sander so I use the DMT to get my scales flat and thicknessed as well, works great!

Well, this is certainly becoming an informative and helpful thread! Keep it coming guys.

I recently bought a marble tile from Menards (midwest home improvement store to some of our coastie friends) for $1.98. It is a foot square and I had planned to have a head stone place cut it in half for me so I could use it for making micarta. It sounds like I need to go get a few more to have on hand for other stuff too! It is really nice having a perfectly smooth, flat surface to certain things on sometimes.

CTKnife, I'm going to have to try making my own washers sometime. I guess it won't cost much to practice. I have to get an anvil or a bigger piece of steel though......

Sounds like I'm going to have to start shopping for hones. Momma ain't gonna like this at all. Maybe I can find some used?