Thread: Wooden Scale Advice

Hey guys. So, just a preface, I have been reading the scale making section of the wiki so I've done some research. I want to make a pair of Walnut scales for my Geneva 5/8 hollow razor. The wood is plenty dry, been sitting in Vegas heat for 3 years. What would be the best way to start? I have plenty of tools, I just more or less need some do's and don'ts as I've never done this before!

Let me know what you think!

Parker

is the wood you have already in scale thickness slabs, or just a block? Either way, make sure that the indide faces are FLAT. A piece of glass, granite counter top, marble tile, etc, with sandpaper taped to it works well if you don't have a disc grinder. Lightly glue those two surfaces together with a few drops of wood glue and a piece of printer paper between them. Draw your pattern on the wood, or glue a paper pattern to it. Profile and drill both sides together at once. Use a drill press, its more accurate than your eyes and a hand drill. After drilling and profiling, split them apart. Sand away the glue spots. Start shaping and make your wedge. Finish your scales befoe pinning together. That means all buffing, too. Pin the wedge first, then the pivot. Look up Glenn's (gssixgun) video on pinning scales if you need more advice, its almost 30minutes long, and worth it.


It doesn't take long once you have done a few, but the first one is always nerve wracking.

Good luck and take picture!


-Xander

Originally Posted by fast14riot

is the wood you have already in scale thickness slabs, or just a block? Either way, make sure that the indide faces are FLAT. A piece of glass, granite counter top, marble tile, etc, with sandpaper taped to it works well if you don't have a disc grinder. Lightly glue those two surfaces together with a few drops of wood glue and a piece of printer paper between them. Draw your pattern on the wood, or glue a paper pattern to it. Profile and drill both sides together at once. Use a drill press, its more accurate than your eyes and a hand drill. After drilling and profiling, split them apart. Sand away the glue spots. Start shaping and make your wedge. Finish your scales befoe pinning together. That means all buffing, too. Pin the wedge first, then the pivot. Look up Glenn's (gssixgun) video on pinning scales if you need more advice, its almost 30minutes long, and worth it.


It doesn't take long once you have done a few, but the first one is always nerve wracking.

Good luck and take picture!


-Xander

I currently have a block of the wood. I do have a disc sander, which will work for flatening. I also have a disc grinder, drill press, which will also be nice. Thanks for the advice!

I will take a picture!!

Parker

JMO, wood is great,wood is wonderfull,but not the best meterial for scales,unless you can buy stabilized wood,which is than a sort of plastic.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

JMO, wood is great,wood is wonderfull,but not the best meterial for scales,unless you can buy stabilized wood,which is than a sort of plastic.

I know it is not the best, but in my situation it is the cheapest and looks the best for the price.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

JMO, wood is great,wood is wonderfull,but not the best meterial for scales,unless you can buy stabilized wood,which is than a sort of plastic.

Curious statement. Why don't you think wood is good for scales?


-Xander

Originally Posted by fast14riot

Curious statement. Why don't you think wood is good for scales?


-Xander

Was wood used back in the day? (not much) ask yourself why plastic (all phenolics) natural materials such as Horn,Ivory,Bone were used as was bakalite and hard rubber,simple answer,they are impervious to water.
Stabilized (plastisized wood is a differant animal)
were the materials of choice

If you have access to a table saw or a band saw, I would recommend ripping your blanks to roughly 1/8 inch first. Even with a disc sander, it takes longer than necessary to get the blanks down to thickness. Wood scales IMO often times end up too thick and inflexible. If you plan on using a coping saw to get them to shape, it will also be easier with thinner blanks.

I wouldnt be worried about using unstabalized wood for your first set of custom scales, chances are you will be changing them out when you refine your skills!
Keep us posted!

Eric.

Do not use a jig saw. It is not suited for cutting out small pieces and can be quite dangerous depending on the size of the stock. A coping saw is a few dollars and will zip through the rough shape in a couple minutes. It is also easier to control since you can slow down, adjust, etc. Another problem with a jigsaw is that the blade tends to drift out of perpendicular with your board, leaving two asymmetrical pieces when you pull apart the two halves.