Making of Scales

[Doc226]

There have been several videos and tutorials on how to make scales. I made this one a while ago just have not gotten around to posting it. This may not be the best way, but it is how I do them.

Here is the blade with the old scales.

The horn blank

Laying the scales just to make sure things fit correctly

I split the horn blank and glue them to each other using carpet tape.

Cut them to a rough shape on the band saw

Respirator, respirator. Very important, you do not want to breathe in any of the particles.

Shape the scales on the belt sander

Looks identical in shape to the originals. I shape everything but not the wedge area

Must drill the pivot and wedge holes now when everything is perfectly flat

Now to thin out the scales. I like to work one side at a time

Looks good

Keep flipping around and looking from every angle to make sure things are even

I like them about 3mm

Now the other side

Round off the rides, this is the hardest part as a slip up and

Now for sanding, and more sanding. I take horn to 2000

Almost there

Nice buff

Now for the wedge-bone

Stick it to the thumb with carpet tape and shape it on the sander-be careful

Mark on the scales where the wedge should go and drill the wedge

Mock everything up with a microfastener

Shape the wedge area of the scales and wedge while together. Place the blade in to make sure it centers and the height of the blade on the scales look good

Finished product after sanding the wedge area to 2000.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Those look nice. Thanks for posting it. Maybe one day I will do this

 

[Nxspam]

Beautiful Doc! What a shine on the blade. And Doh! I should have used the grinding wheel on my combi bench grinder for the wedge that was giving me pain.

You live and learn. Thanks again.

 

[Nxspam]

Do you use the belt grinder to get the thickness down, or the disk?

 

[chuckr9]

Nice post - I think the "skill" required to make them lookk like your results is a bit underplayed!

 

[Doc226]

Do you use the belt grinder to get the thickness down, or the disk?

I use the belt. Round off with disk.

Nice post - I think the "skill" required to make them lookk like your results is a bit underplayed!

Just practice.

 

[cstephens]

Beautiful work, Alfredo!

 

[skipnord]

Thanks, Doc - excellent post.

 

[Kentos]

So you thin out the blanks on the bandsaw? Nice skills!

 

[Doc226]

So you thin out the blanks on the bandsaw? Nice skills!

Oh no. The belt sander.

 

[Kentos]

Oh no. The belt sander.

Ah, ok. I as ready to christen you Bandsaw Jedi

 

[vern]

Sir,
Your work is really nice! Looks great. Enjoy that razor.

 

[daflorc]

Great progression pics! Two questions:

1. Why does it look like your pins are off-center?

2. I know breathing the particles isn't good for you, but do you know of a specific disease it may cause? I'm curious because I've worked on too much horn without a respirator in the past.

 

[Doc226]

Great progression pics! Two questions:

1. Why does it look like your pins are off-center?

2. I know breathing the particles isn't good for you, but do you know of a specific disease it may cause? I'm curious because I've worked on too much horn without a respirator in the past.

1. They are centered. The pictures are taken from a light angle.

2. Old wood can have mold. Not good to breathe in. Horn and fiberglass can cause a chemical pneumonitis. Fiberglass can cause cancer.

 

[daflorc]

Thank you! Maybe that's what this cough is that I can't seem to kick

 

[Doc226]

Thank you! Maybe that's what this cough is that I can't seem to kick

Get it checked out.

 

[daflorc]

Absolutely - the second I get health insurance! It might also be affiliated with smoking

 

[nipper]

Great info and pictures! Thanks Doc

 

[Tony1951]

Extremely useful to see how you did that and how you achieve such fantastic results. Inspiring work. Thanks for sharing that Doc.

 

[Legion]

Great progression pics! Two questions:

1. Why does it look like your pins are off-center?

2. I know breathing the particles isn't good for you, but do you know of a specific disease it may cause? I'm curious because I've worked on too much horn without a respirator in the past.

TB, for one.

Working with horn and bone without a respirator is pretty much like pulling the asbestos out of your old house without one.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/24/world/la-fg-india-bone-20110625