I'm going to have a go at making scales

**johnmrson** · 11-19-2010, 06:14 PM

I found a nice blank of red mallee burl that the seller is happy to cut into 3/16 slices for me so I'm going to give it a go.

I did try some acrylic ones last weekend but the sheet I was using was too thin so they were a miserable failure.

**heirkb** · 11-19-2010, 07:45 PM

3/16? I think you should go for 1/8. 1/8 is even a little too thick for my tastes.

**Seraphim** · 11-19-2010, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by heirkb

3/16? I think you should go for 1/8. 1/8 is even a little too thick for my tastes.

Yes, 1/8 is the thickest I'd go as well.

**Loric** · 11-19-2010, 09:27 PM

Thats one pretty wood brick

**Walker** · 11-19-2010, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by loric

thats one pretty wood brick

+1

**Harvitz81** · 11-19-2010, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Yes, 1/8 is the thickest I'd go as well.

I agree though the 3/16 may be just what the cutter is comfortable with. I had someone cut some acrylic blanks from a 1" bar and got 4 scale blanks from them about 0.23" wide each. I had to sand them down to 0.1" or so to make scales, but the person who cut them for me was only comfortable with that cut.

Once I get a bandsaw I can experiment with how many I can get out of a 1" piece so I essentially am not sanding a scales worth of material on each one off.

If you don't have one already - get yourself a belt/disc sander. I can't believe I used to make scales without one.

**mdunn** · 11-19-2010, 10:25 PM

ohhhh pretty - should be some very nice scales in that chunk of wood

**honed** · 11-20-2010, 02:07 AM

Stunning looks on that wood!
Good luck!

**life2short1971** · 11-20-2010, 03:20 AM

Very nice John Good luck. Consider a belt sander if you don't have one.

**dakotaev** · 11-20-2010, 09:27 AM

Thats some nice wood!!! good luck, and + 1 on the belt sander. It's a huge benefit for making scales.

**Mink** · 11-20-2010, 10:56 AM

Good luck with the scales. What finish are you going to use on the wood?

**johnmrson** · 11-21-2010, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by Mink

Good luck with the scales. What finish are you going to use on the wood?

I've been thinking about that. I'm going to look for some marine varnish that will both provide a good waterproof coating and highlight the beauty of the wood.

**TonyGold** · 11-21-2010, 02:51 AM

Working marine varnish into the timber with fine wet/dry papers (I used 600#) while it is still wet develops a wood powder loaded slurry that acts as a grain filler and, once set, produces a silky smooth, water resistant surface.

**Legion** · 11-21-2010, 10:52 PM

John. Have you ever seen a tutorial or instructions on using cyanoacrylate glue as a finish on wood? It looks FANTASTIC on Burls as it really brings out the pattern and is super glossy. Plus it is resilient and waterproof.

Do a google search. If you have no luck finding anything let me know and I'll see if I can help.

**Luc** · 11-21-2010, 11:03 PM

Do you know when's the first cut John?

**Seraphim** · 11-21-2010, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by legion

John. Have you ever seen a tutorial or instructions on using cyanoacrylate glue as a finish on wood? It looks FANTASTIC on Burls as it really brings out the pattern and is super glossy. Plus it is resilient and waterproof.

Do a google search. If you have no luck finding anything let me know and I'll see if I can help.

It is all of the above, plus it will allow you to put into practice some colorful curse words you hadn't used in a while!

Great stuff, but it can be tricky s it likes to instantly bond your finger to the scale, your other fingers, then the other scale, etc. Etc.....

personally I love the stuff, but you must start with a plan of action, a strategy to outwit the CA...

**Legion** · 11-21-2010, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Seraphim

It is all of the above, plus it will allow you to put into practice some colorful curse words you hadn't used in a while!

Great stuff, but it can be tricky s it likes to instantly bond your finger to the scale, your other fingers, then the other scale, etc. Etc.....

personally I love the stuff, but you must start with a plan of action, a strategy to outwit the CA...

Just keep your fingers moving! That is the best advice I can give.

And keep some nail polish remover handy for when you forget that first piece of advice.

**honed** · 11-22-2010, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Seraphim

It is all of the above, plus it will allow you to put into practice some colorful curse words you hadn't used in a while!

Great stuff, but it can be tricky s it likes to instantly bond your finger to the scale, your other fingers, then the other scale, etc. Etc.....

personally I love the stuff, but you must start with a plan of action, a strategy to outwit the CA...

It's like french polish with an evil twist.

I'm not a big fan of covering wood with synthetics, but I must admit that it looks sweet when done properly.

Try it the first times when no one sees you.
You will look like a moron with some fingers firmly glued together, one scale stuck to your eye-brow & the other a gunky mess on the floor.
But practise makes perfect they say.

**life2short1971** · 11-22-2010, 07:33 AM

Its not that bad but if you get into trouble. Stop right there. Don't try to fix it or you'll make things worse. CA can be dissolved with vinegar if you need to.

**Seraphim** · 11-22-2010, 10:58 AM

And don't drip any on your pants! Any CA that gets on your pants hardens immediately, turning it into a faux micarta, and then your pants will crack and split when bent.

Or so I've heard.....