Another abomination

Diligence · Post by **Diligence** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:33 am

Still learning, but here's another sample....before and after photos.

I learned that you cannot get oil and gunk out of maple scales...period. So, I'm calling this finish the "antiqued look".

I'm having fun trying new file work too.

CCBill · Post by **CCBill** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:12 am

Nicely done.

Have you started on your split backspring, yet? Be sure and take a LOT of pictures.
...CCBill...

Diligence · Post by **Diligence** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:50 pm

CCBill.....I have started in the sense that I'm losing sleep at night figuring out how to do it.

I have taken the measurements I need, and just have to do some "to scale" drawings so I know how much material to remove from my existing springs. I want to try to do this one with some "measured precision", instead of the "looks good to me" type of work I usually do.

I have profiled all the blades to the right shape, and got them to the right thickness too. Just have to hit the springs and tapered wedge next.....when I'm brave enough. It will likely be finished sometime in May, as I will be on a trip until April 20 starting this week.

Cheers,
D

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:17 pm

Diligence wrote:Still learning, but here's another sample....before and after photos.

I learned that you cannot get oil and gunk out of maple scales...period. So, I'm calling this finish the "antiqued look".

I'm having fun trying new file work too.

I have often said. "I learn something new with every knife I make." It is very true. One thing I learned recently is that after I have buffed the knife I need to wash my hands to get the compound off my hands before I start working with the scaled. If I am doing heavy buffing I usually use gloves. But, even going light buffing I tend to get compound all over my fingers & it is easy to get it on the scale material. Maybe I am just a clumsy buffer.

The "antiqued look" works well though. Nice job!

Dale

Diligence · Post by **Diligence** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:57 pm

Another thing I learned regarding super glue. If you get your face too close to the knife when you are slathering it with super glue, you run the risk of poisoning yourself and getting cyanacroylate vapours in your eyes.

I will not do THAT again...nor will I let my finger get glued to the scale....like I did last time.

I'll try washing my hands next time - I guess my mother was right after all, "wash those grubby hands before touching the cutlery when setting the table!"

J

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:19 pm

Mom is still watching!
If I had a dollar for every time I super glued my fingers................

I haven't gotten vapors in my eyes though....Ouch

Diligence · Post by **Diligence** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:42 pm

In complete seriousness, the vapours in the nasal cavities and in the eyes, scared me big time. Not sure what would happen if that vapour somehow coalesced onto my eyeballs....cannot be good for the eyes.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:29 pm

orvet wrote: Mom is still watching!
If I had a dollar for every time I super glued my fingers................
I haven't gotten vapors in my eyes though....Ouch

Oh, man, I haven't done that one yet. If it says "flash glue", dries in 1 to 5 seconds, you just might want to belive that one. OK better believe it. I got some flash CA on my finger and then wiped it off my leather apron. Well, it didn't work quite like that. As I was wiping my finger across the leather, my finger just stopped, GLUED to my apron.

Since it was leather, I just cut my way off.

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:04 pm

That looks really good! Maple is bad about collecting dirt. I know what you mean about the vapors, I got it so bad one time it felt like my eyes were being burned out of my head, I didn't do that again! I try to wear gloves now when working with superglue, saves the mess on your fingers. Saftey goggles help with the vapors too,

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:08 pm

Good advice guys.

The stuff is sure nice for what you can do with it, but it is NOT user friendly.

Dale

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:23 pm

I usually use latex gloves with CA, and have Nitrile for other chemicals that are not latex friendly. I can get these fairly cheap at Harbor Freight, about $8.00 for a box of 100 for the Nitrile on sale, less for latex. I also keep some very thick latex, Nitrile, and PVC gloves in the shop, just a couple each of these, they are reusable after rinsing WELL. I also try to keep a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemicals in the shop also. Ventilation is important for most of the chemicals you need.
But like most everyone I do fall into the trap of, "it'll just take a second".

Sure enough that is when things happen.