Basic Equipment For Making Scales?

[Airedale1]

I would love to learn how to make some scales (wood, micarta, G10) for some of my folders. I am hoping someone on here can tell me what I would need in terms of basic equipment?

My thought would be that to start out I would need:

1. Drill Press
2. Table Router
3. Belt Sander
4.
5.

I have no idea what else or if even any of the 3 I listed is not needed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cushing H.]

When I make scales from blocked or planked wood, I use a bandsaw to get the rough shape and thickness, the hand sand on a flat plate to get the final thickness, flatness, and parallelism of the sides. Yes, drill press to drill holes for pins

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You can do folder scales with a coping saw and sandpaper. A low cost combo-sander with a 2" belt and a 6" disc will make it really simple, but sheets of sandpaper will do the same task ... just slower. A low cost drill press will be nice, too.

 

[Airedale1]

You can do folder scales with a coping saw and sandpaper. A low cost combo-sander with a 2" belt and a 6" disc will make it really simple, but sheets of sandpaper will do the same task ... just slower. A low cost drill press will be nice, too.

Stacy thank you. I know I would have no problem doing scales for a fixed blade or most liner lock folders. My concern is when it comes to crafting scales for compression lock, back lock, etc. folders I don't know how I would achieve the interior cutouts of the liners. What tool or tools would I need to do those?

 

[weo]

What tool or tools would I need to do those?

Least expensive: Drill, coping saw/jeweler's jaw, files and sandpaper
More expensive: Milling machine.

 

[Cushing H.]

What about a dremel with the router attachment?

 

[Airedale1]

What about a dremel with the router attachment?

I do have a Dremel and I think they have some kind of stand for using it like a router. I'll
Have to check that out. Thank you