Thread: Attempt at home made Micarta scales Flop

As far as shiny, I'm wondering if you could use CA glue or Epoxy to put a layer down on top of the finished scales for cutting/polishing....

Originally Posted by Kalloran

As far as shiny, I'm wondering if you could use CA glue or Epoxy to put a layer down on top of the finished scales for cutting/polishing....

The micarta I've made I've finished with ca glue. It works well but with cloth you have to make sure to put enough ca on the scales or some fibers will show through and get dirty and discolor.

The yellow color you said about is from using fiberglass resin. If you used bondo or 3m brand you will definately see yellow tints. Another brand to try it envirotex. It's not super expensive and you can buy it at Michael's craft stores. It dries very clear.

Originally Posted by meleii

The micarta I've made I've finished with ca glue. It works well but with cloth you have to make sure to put enough ca on the scales or some fibers will show through and get dirty and discolor.

The yellow color you said about is from using fiberglass resin. If you used bondo or 3m brand you will definately see yellow tints. Another brand to try it envirotex. It's not super expensive and you can buy it at Michael's craft stores. It dries very clear.

Thank you for the help.
I have to see if i can get this envirotex here in Canada.
I guess i should use dark material if i don't want this yellowish tint to show?

As far as the shiny thing, you can use some marine polish.
Use a dremel on very low speed

Originally Posted by kalerolf

As far as the shiny thing, you can use some marine polish.
Use a dremel on very low speed

Thank you.
Where would you get this marine polish?

Here in Holland we have some onlineshops that are specialist in polish stuff. I use most of the time Autosol Marine shine.

Think the www is the place to look, or a local shop that sells polish.

Originally Posted by kalerolf

I have used more than once those plastic bags. Epoxy dont stick on those bags.
Some people use backing paper but imo those bags are easier to remove from the material.

Note: make dure that the plastic lays flat otherwise you get not a flat surface and you must sand that out.

The wax paper comes of the micarta in pieces all the time and tears everywhere.
Is there a trick that will make the wax paper come off easier or should i try the plastic bag next time or buy better wax paper?

Originally Posted by traps38

The wax paper comes of the micarta in pieces all the time and tears everywhere.
Is there a trick that will make the wax paper come off easier or should i try the plastic bag next time or buy better wax paper?

Metal sheets with mold release work very well!

I use a stainless steel plate on one side and a 2x6 wrapped in wax paper for the other side. To get it off of the stainless I have to give a pretty good tug but it releases easily enough.

Gave another attempt at this micarta thing.

This time i used blue denim jeans and black ones.



I then proceeded my usual with resin and clamping,then cutting out and shaping and sanding.

This is what i came out with.



Pinned the wedge part now just need to add the blade.