New project in progress using piano key ivory

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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by #goldpan »

Well its starting to cool down its only a hundred degrees, but its dropping! Took a long nap. I'll get some more done this evening and post up some pics. Wow Greg! That is warm for Gilroy... Hope you found some good A/C! ::tu:: A package? Dang I love surprises! ::nod:: Thank you in advance buddy! ::handshake::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Wow when I got out of bed it was already 80 degrees! Its a hot one... Any who last night I finished the other handle and shaped it and finished cutting the ivory strips.

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This pic shows the progression from piano key cover to strips for handles.

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The other handle being glued

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Both walnut handles are ready!

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And a mock up to get an idea of the final look.


Later this evening I'll drill holes for pins and start the inlaying the ivory strips. By the way I have never done this before, I think its going to match my vision pretty well! Just hope I don't break any ivory, its a little hard to replace!
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Here is where I am today. I may do more tonight. Its 105 deg. right now and the shop AC is having a hard time keeping me cool enough.
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Drilled the holes for the pins.
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Cut the inlay slot was a lot harder than I thought! One side is done, glued and clamped.
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Not sure how it will look, but the other side will go easier now that I have a little practice. And in memory of Adam West... Stay tuned! Same bat time? Same bat channel! ::nod::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Its still too hot up stairs in the shop, but one side is done and I think it turned better than I thought it would!
20170619_200653.jpg
Later when it cools down I'll get to work on the other side. I dont have the right sized pins, so I thought that I would turn down my own. In this case all of the pins will be nickle/silver! More pics in the morning! Same bat channel!
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glennbad
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by glennbad »

Ooh! Looks awesome! ::tu::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by #goldpan »

Thanks Glenn! ::tu::
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by gsmith7158 »

Randy that does look sharp! Great job. ::clapping:: ::clapping::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Thanks Greg! I see that the package you mailed from Gilroy is in West Sacramento and should be here by tomorrow! Thanks again, I think I know whats coming ::tu:: This mornings update. I cut the notch to inlay the ivory into. Took over an hour. Since today is supposed to be hotter than yesterday I need to get things done! I won't be back here in the shop until tonight. I still have a couple hours before I need to retreat downstairs.
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This is how I cut the notch, learned a lot from doing the other side!
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used this cool old Ralph Brown Cutlery equal end utility knife and a couple files to work down the notch. The knife is over a hundred years old and had been reground to be used as a cabinet makers or joiner's knife. Works great ::nod::
20170620_095319.jpg
Here the notch is ready. I'll glue and clamp and cut the excess ivory off later.

Stay tuned!
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Okay here is the last post of the day. The other handle is done! 8) There has been a lot of intense hand work with this project and its starting to show. The current stage is finishing and sanding. The plan is to have the handles as close to the final appearance as I can. I want to be done when I have the knife pinned and peened. With the exception of the bolsters of course ::super_happy:: . So here is where she is now!
20170620_211632[1].jpg
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by royal0014 »

You have some real talent, Randy . . . and patience!
::tu::
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by gsmith7158 »

Randy I love that old Ralph Brown knife! Super job so far, she's looking great! ::tu::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Thanks Greg! That Ralph Brown is labeled San Francisco. Its dates around 1900. Ralph Brown as I understand was the West Coast rep for John Russell. He started his own Sporting goods and hardware co. around the turn of the century. Back to our regularly scheduled program! I am finishing and shaping at the moment and hope to start pinning it together soon. Today's heat is supposed to tie a 56 year record.... or break it! 110 deg+ ::facepalm:: . I have another hour in the shop before the heat takes over. So here is the current state of things:
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I am coating the handles right now. Do a coat and let it dry, sanding between coats. Started with 220 wet and dry and have worked up to 1000 wet and dry. A few more coats and then I'll make the pins and start assembly! ::nod::
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by TripleF »

Good lord where have I been.....first time seeing this thread...

WOWZUH Randy, she's lookin' mighty fine!! ::not_worthy:: ::clapping::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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I want to thank everyone for their encouragement. ::tu:: With the heat and humidity its easy to overlook things. ::nod:: JerryD, Stagman and Royal I see that did not respond to your posts.... ::facepalm:: Sorry guys. Thanks for your kind words! ::tu:: Scott thanks buddy! ::tu::
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by jerryd6818 »

Don't worry about it Randy. I'll be glad when the heat abates so you can finish it. Looking forward to the finished product, 'cause that last picture is a stunner.
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by philco »

jerryd6818 wrote: Looking forward to the finished product, 'cause that last picture is a stunner.
Ditto that. Something tells me this is going to be one of the best dressed Colonial knives ever. 8)
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Hey guys, thanks! I am close to the point where I am happy with the looks. I need to buff the handles to know for sure. But for tonight I made this mock up so that I could show both sides at once. She's really starting to pop! ::nod::
20170622_203727[1].jpg
When she is done I'm going to post her in the Colonial collectors forum. I'm going to call it the BFB small lockback. In honor of Bonfire Bob.
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Sure glad I dropped by this thread. Had not seen it previously. Amazing! Randy it's great to watch step by step work-in-progress. Thanks for showing the process. It's gonna be a stunning end result! ::tu::

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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Thanks Ken! I am at the point where I can't wait to see it finished. I need to take a deep breath and proceed slowly! I think this is my best work to date. ::nod:: Its cooler here this morning the windows and doors are open for the first time in 7 days. Temps are rising though, got to get to work ::tu:: More news and pics later fellas! :)
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by glennbad »

Yes Randy, slow down and take your time. It's too easy to see the end in sight, and rush the last steps. Trust me, I know... ::facepalm::

Enjoy the finish work, it's your last chance to put your personal touches on a knife, and it's what the owner/customer will see all the time.

BTW, looking good! ::tu::
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Thanks Glenn! Just finished doing a little light buffing on the handles and wow! Compare this mornings pics with last nights. I'll try to get some better pics later. I have to run errands this morning before it gets too hot.
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Check out the pics! ::tu:: Time to start making pins and putting on the final touches!
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by gsmith7158 »

Wow Randy what a shine on that thing ! She's really going to be special! ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by TheMadHungarian »

I've been lookin' for something to use the ebony and ivory from a piano I had to burn to get rid of, I kept the ebony keys, Ivory veneer and the brass tuning screws. I've used the ivory for scales.
DSC_8847.JPG
RobCutCoGermanyStamp.jpg
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Toggle for a sheath
TheRobCutCoStamp.jpg
...and as an inlay for a missing shield.
PremierStamp.jpg
The ebony will make great carved and turned lanyard beads, just waitin' on a friend to turn some down on his wood lathe.
My Old Man told me when I was a kid, "You can spend your entire life convincing someone how smart you are but it only takes a second to prove you're an idiot."....................You can call me Ted.
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#goldpan
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

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Where to start? She looks like what I envisioned. Dang purty little knife!
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And after all that was posted on keeping focused, what do I do? I got distracted and when I came back to the knife I simply put her together.... I forgot that I needed to to clean up and polish the liners ::facepalm:: Some solder spilled through the factory holes and I did not clean the inside of one liner... The problem? ::shrug:: The solder is pinching both the tang and the spring where the lock sets in the tang.... Looks like I have to cut her apart and fix my oversight. I am making a total of six of these little guys, so I'm going to have make a check list on my white board. If it aint checked off, it aint done ::nod::
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Re: New project in progress using piano key ivory

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Don't despair Randy, hang in there! I've learned far more from my mistakes than anything else - experience is a harsh teacher.

Maybe just make your check list, make the others and then come back to this one and fix her last?

Ken
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