[Saylor1322]

Ok so I have been trying to make some scales recently and have actually completed two sets but I have one small issue, the scales are too thick. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to trim down the scales? I do not have a planer and I have been unable to find any wood in a standard size of 1/8 inch. Everything I have found to buy in a standard size is 1/4 inch and it is becoming very difficult to sand the scales down to half their original size. Any suggestinos?

[mikeyr]

Old W & B barber's wedges make great draw knives! Seriously, tho, for no bigger than what you're working on, little "finger" planes are less than $10.00 if ya look around. Should work for some shaping, too.
Just a thought............Mike

[rsrick]

Do you have a thin kerf bandsaw or scroll saw? You could shape the scales in the 1/4" form then saw down the middle for two pieces (or saw down the middle but not completely through for a one piece scale).

[sidneykidney]

What are the scales made of?

[The Blacksmith]

This is where I get my wood: Exotic & Domestic Woods - Woodcraft.com
Comes in 1/8" X 3" X 24" I still use a 'hand' belt sander to do the shaping and "planing" of the wood.

[Kenrup]

I use a 4" belt sander bench model. I'll use my 1" belt sander for touch ups before I finish with hand sanding.

[Saylor1322]

Thanks everyone they are all great ideas that I had not really thought of. Hopefully this weekend I can get a chance to work on them some more and hopefully get some thinner better looking scales.

[mikeyr]

Don't wanta hijack the thread, but I, too prefer thinner scales, but like the exotic woods. Thinking about maybe laminating a thin piece of spring steel in the wood to give it some strength. anyone ever try it?..........Mike

[PapaBull]

With one of the thin kerf Japanese draw saws, you should be able to split those 1/4 pieces into two that are about 1/10 each.

[PapaBull]

Mike, spring steel would rust and is heavy. I think something that might be better to try would be to create your own wood micarta with a few layers of linen and resin backing the wood scales, so you get the real wood on the outside and a thin layer of linen micarta on the inside for reinforcement.

[vgod]

i use metal rasps/files to thin out my scales and shape them down.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

i clamp them down between a board and the tabletop, then go to town. it takes some practice to get them even, but with sandpaper and patience assisting you, you can do it.

vgod

[c_kyle]

I cut out a set of Bocote scales today. I started with a 2x6x3/8" block, and first cut it into two 1x6x3/8" blocks, then cut that in half. Then, taped sand paper to my kitchen counter and sanded away. I now have ~1/8" thick bocote scales. I have to say, it was much more difficult than I though it would be. The difficult part was sanding perfectly perpendicular edges to the sides, and the inside curve of the scales.

[cannonfodder]

I use boards then re saw them down to 6x1.5x?? blocks then resaw the blocks into 1/8 blanks on a bandsaw with a ½ inch blade. Then sand them on a large freestanding 6 inch belt sander to remove the mill marks. That takes them down just under 1/8 inch. Then I can start making the scales. I use a drum sander to sand down the scale shape after I cut them, then do the shaping, final sanding and finishing.

[bbshriver]

Related to this topic, where's the best place to source scale hardware (pins)? I'd like to do the adjustable screw at the pivot end, preferrably with the decorative dealie like some I've seen on here. Need the fixed pin as well though.

[JetHed]

I took a piece of 2 X 3/4 inch mahogany to a store that makes custom cabinets and furniture and asked them to rip 1/8" off. They did it for free. Then I cut out the scales with a coping saw and sanded them to shape.


Doug, NYC