Thread: Help on making custom scales

Originally Posted by ladavis89

Thank you all for the advice! I have just completed shaping my first set of scales! I still need to add the wedge, finish it with some lacquer and pin it. I am pleased with my first go-round. I only used a coping saw, sand paper, and a pin vise. I had a lot of fun making this and I can't wait to finish it and see how beautiful it looks.

Those look pretty damn good for your first set! Bravo.

Those look good for attempt #1 - any thoughts on how you are going to finish them? Some medium stain and crazy glue would finish pretty well IMO.

Those are great looking scales, especially for set of scales first scales. Now that you have the skills down the next set will take a lot less time to make.

I agree with Gssixgun about making the wedge a wedge, it is definitely the way to go.

Charlie

Very nice job. See, it's only as hard as you want it to be and before you know it, you'll be rescaling all kinds of razors using different materials.

Remember to post a picture of the finished razor. I like to see other's handywork.

Originally Posted by ladavis89

Right now I don't have any power tools. Are they really vital to the operation? How hard would it be to us a hand saw to cut the rough shape and sand the rest?

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You can rough and sand most of it by hand, but I would list an inexpensive drill press from somwhere like Harbor Freight a first on the list. If you don't drill the holes straight, then your blade will be off and the whole project is scrap!

Originally Posted by jumbojohnny

Those look good for attempt #1 - any thoughts on how you are going to finish them? Some medium stain and crazy glue would finish pretty well IMO.

Thanks! I have been thinking about whether I want to stain it or just leave the natural color. Can't decide right now. I was also thinking about using some epoxy resin to seal it but for my first set I think that is a little too much to get into.

Originally Posted by KindestCutOfAll

You can rough and sand most of it by hand, but I would list an inexpensive drill press from somwhere like Harbor Freight a first on the list. If you don't drill the holes straight, then your blade will be off and the whole project is scrap!

I do not really agree, I have made lots of scales where I drilled the holes by hand. I think it is important to have the holes in the same place on both sides ( drill both sets of scales at the same time). The fit between a 1/16 rod and the hole on most razors is not much of an exact fit, there is room for a bit of slop.

The majority of the centering comes from how the inside faces of the scales press on the thrust washers and tang, not on the angle of the pivot rod.

Charlie

Ok Gents, Here is the latest update. Sanded and polished it and sealed it in with 4 coats of satin finish. How did I do? I am debating whether to give it a coat of glossy finish....






I am having trouble with the pinning...I can't get the head to mushroom like it should. I am tapping it with pressure that is not too hard and it just wont mushroom. I was working at it for about 15 min and wasn't making any progress. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

What are you using for pins and washers????

BTW Nice job on using a real wedge

Thank you. I am using 1/16" brass rod. I am just supposed to tap the top of it with a ballpeen hammer right?