Making scales for the first time.....questions about Micarta

[Cochese2323]

I am working on making some scales for my first restore project and I have a few questions. I am working with linen micarta right now. I have canvas micarta and G10 as well. After reading up, I decided the linen would be best to start with. I already F'd up my first attempt and would like to not mess it up again.

My problem is how to reduce the thickness evenly. The blanks I got are 1/8" thick and I want to reduce the thickness by maybe 30-40%. My first attempt I tried using the sanding drum on my dremel but it was so uneven and I got too deep around one of the edges and it's beyond usable for as nice of a razor that I am restoring.

My power tools are limited to a dremel, drills and saws. Don't have a belt sander.

Any suggestions? Only thing I can think of is something like the scale between a block of someone something flat with sand paper on it, kind of like lapping but with the scale in between. But would need something on the block to keep the scale stuck to it, like rubber or something

[Earcutter]

I am basiclly in the same boat as you - It wasn't so bad having the "uneven" scales up to a point. It made it easier once I got the block out to level it out. Actually, I just put the sand paper on my desk and moved the scale on top of it.

One "hint" I found helpful was to get it the thickness I wanted before shaping it. Plus the flap sander things Dremel has was helpful.

[Trenton]

Ryan have you tried 2 sided tape?

[mycarver]

Yeah, double sided tape will work. What you can do is tape the scale to a flat surface. Then get two pieces of wood or whatever that is the thickness of the scale you want. Line them up on either side of the scale but leave a decent space between the scales and the shims. Then using a flat board with sandpaper on it , bridge across the two pieces of wood and sand the scale to thickness.
This will result in an even thickness of the scale across it's length. Easy to do. Just a little effort with the sanding.

[Cochese2323]

Great advice guys. I feel kinda dumb for not thinking of two sided tape. But earcutters tip about thinning it out before shaping is spot on. I took a piece about 4"x8" and have been sanding it down before I cut it in two and shape it. Way easier to get uniform thickness and it will be easier to shape when it is thinner

[Doc226]

You also tape the scales to each other for shaping-this guarantees an exact match. Also drill the holes when they are together.

[Cochese2323]

Yup knew that already but it should be easier to shape now that the material is thinner. My first attempt, I cut two pieces out, glued em together and then shaped them out. Then I tried to sand them thinner after all that work.....FAIL!

This time I took the whole piece, thinned it out first. Now I am going to cut it in half, glue it and shape it. Should be much more efficient. Live and learn(with a little help from some great minds on B&B)

[brother cavefish]

i love the 1/8 linen, i like the thickness, i was actually thinking of trying 3/16

[Doc226]

Check out undream's videos. Pure awesomeness.

Here is the link to the first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uurBe...e_gdata_player

[UPD]

Now you just have to fit a wedge... We'll be here when you're ready : D

[Cochese2323]

I made some scales for a cheapie Ern out of scrap plexiglas I had. Was surprised by how decent of a job I did fitting and pinning. But that was the right thickness to start and really easy to work with. Still deciding what to make the wedge out of. Was thinking the plexiglas between black micarta might look cool.

Have been pretty lazy today though.....recovering from my annual Kentucky derby party.