Thread: Plexiglass/Lexan Scales

Hey guys, so I just got a Swedish frameback that I am going to restore. It is just a plain blade, and I thought it would look good on some clear Plexiglass/Lexan scales. Let me know what the best way to go about making these are!

Parker

There are many threads and how-to's on making scales. Search the library. I have been making a few of these lately and it is pretty simple. Make a pattern, cut out the pieces leaving material outside the line, I use very thin 2 way tape to stick them together, drill holes for the pins. When it comes to shaping it all depends on what tools you have and skill level. I shape mine on a belt sander first, and then do the final shape detail by hand with 220 paper. I work my way up to 2000 grit and then polish them up with a rotary tool and white compound which brings them back to shine and clear. I am working with horn right now and considering a vid on doing those. It's basically the same except for the warp factor.

Start here -------> Category:Scale Making - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Just throwing my two cents in for any stray novice scale maker that might read this. Lexan would be a durable choice though it is a brand name. Some plastics suppliers refer to the material as polycarbonate or polycarb for short. By no stretch of the imagination should anyone use the typical acrylic plexiglass. Acrylic cracks and breaks very easily. Now polycarb on the other hand is used to make safety glasses, shatterproof windows, and headlight lenses. Tough stuff to say the least. The only downside it that it only comes in one color, clear.

Originally Posted by parkerskouson

Hey guys, so I just got a Swedish frameback that I am going to restore. It is just a plain blade, and I thought it would look good on some clear Plexiglass/Lexan scales. Let me know what the best way to go about making these are!

Parker

Techno meets ancient history never looks good. Go with horn, ivry or ebony.. IMO.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Techno meets ancient history never looks good. Go with horn, ivry or ebony.. IMO.

Honestly, I agree. I did one (less ancient) recently on request. I really don't care for it....but you know how it is (opinions and belly buttons...)

Warp factor, tell me about it !!!

There are also acrylics that you can use. This is what I have made mine out of. Plastic comes in more flavors than ice cream and although some don't care for it others do. I don't think it's such a terrible thing to mix the old with the new. If you look at Double Ducks and their popularity in the day I think the argument falls apart. I bet if they had the choice back then you would find some Wade and Butchers with red mirrored acrylic scales. May sound funny and non traditional but what ever catches your eye is what counts. Just for the record ...I like em either way.

Plexiglass is also a trademark.

I would tend to favor Acrylic/Plexigalss over Polycarb/Lexan. Acrylic comes in a hugh variety of colours, is easy to work with and is much cheaper than polycarb.
Although Polycarb is tougher than acrylic in terms of brittleness and resistance to impact, it does scratch easier than acrylic. Ive never tried polishing it either, but I'm guessing acrylic would polish better too.
Grant

Yup, Lexan scratches quit easily.

Just a comment about most thermoplastics...plex, etc. If you heat the surface up buffing them, they may crack or break later with no pressure or just a sudden temperature change. Alcohol can change the surface temperature and bing gone. The reason is that the plastic gets internal stress because the surface has a different hardness after heating and the interior does not.
Play with the plastic a bit before you commit to a set of scales. Buff the snot out of a piece and see what happens when alcohol or cold is applied.
Be real careful drilling, The plastic loves to crawl up your drill bit! Hold it to the table with care.
Have fun!
~Richard