Can I epoxy two thin scales together to make them thicker?

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shurik6

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Sep 18, 2013
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I have 1/4 inch thick plank of Bolivian rosewood cutup in to 1.5 X 5 sections for scales. I am realizing that this is a bit too thin for the blade I am working on 3/8th would be ideal. So, can I simply epoxy two scales to each other to make them 1/2 inch thick on each side or is this not the best approach? I just haven't seen anyone do that. Otherwise, I'll have to go and buy some thicker wood, but would rather avoid doing it. Tight budget. Thank you.
 
Yes. People do that all the time. It's called laminates. Just don't use a glue that expands a lot like Gorilla glue. You will have a visible line though.
 
Supper glue would be less likely to show a line. You could also use some colored spacer material.
 
Jim McGuinn said:
Supper glue would be less likely to show a line. You could also use some colored spacer material.
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Interesting. So you are suggesting sticking some spacer material between the two pieces of wood? Now, as far as the spacer material, I am not planning on buying anything online, are there any other good alternatives I could use for spacer material that I can find around the house or at my local store? I was always curious about that.
 
I think if you have quarter inch material and are looking for 3/8"scale thickness, you can simply use 1/8" liners sandwiched between the tang and the scales.
 
adinb114 said:
I think if you have quarter inch material and are looking for 3/8"scale thickness, you can simply use 1/8" liners sandwiched between the tang and the scales.
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Ha! Good point. Are there any materials that would work good for spacers that I can pickup at a local hardware store? Or is this something that I can only get at a specialty stores only?
 
For the most part you have to get it online. Most people use G10 for colored liners. I have heard of some using colored plastic plates for liners but make sure you scuff up the plastic with 60 grit sandpaper before you try to glue or the glue won't adhere.

The best epoxy you can find will be at West Marine and is called G/Flex. You might have a West Marine nearby depending on where you live. Please fill out your profile. There may be a maker nearby who would be willing to help.
 
Fiddleback Forge does it with almost all of their knives.

If you look at the Bob Engnath website, he mentioned alternative liner/spacer materials.
 
T-88 is a System Three structural epoxy. It is equivalent to West System structural epoxy. Either one will laminate the materials permanently.
 
Ok, I found the West Marine in San Antonio right before they moved to Corpus Christi. I can get the T-88 at Woodcraft, but I use West's thin stuff for impregnating cord wraps. Does Alpha ship the West epoxy components?
 
James, I think I got the last West Systems epoxy I ordered from Alpha. Pretty sure they will ship it.


randy
 
T-88 is not equivalent to West System G/Flex. G/Flex is specifically formulated to glue, among other things, oily wood and plastics. T-88 is not.
Tim
 
shurik6 said:
Interesting. So you are suggesting sticking some spacer material between the two pieces of wood? Now, as far as the spacer material, I am not planning on buying anything online, are there any other good alternatives I could use for spacer material that I can find around the house or at my local store? I was always curious about that.
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Shurik you can goto http://usaknifemaker.com/ (Midwest knife Supply) they are located right off 169 north side of Mankato kind of behind the Happy Chef, you can order online and choose Local Pickup it's what I do, great company. Also there is a West Marine near you in Minnetonka I believe.
 
If you glue two pieces of the same wood together it will look exactly like what it is. Two thin scales made thicker.
If you glue two different kinds of wood (or other material) together or sandwich two the same between something else it will look like a design feature and IMHO a LOT better.
Get some contrasting colour veneer from ebay or local. Nothing fancy as it only needs to be a different colour. Veneer isn't expensive
 
Hengelo_77 said:
If you glue two pieces of the same wood together it will look exactly like what it is. Two thin scales made thicker.
If you glue two different kinds of wood (or other material) together or sandwich two the same between something else it will look like a design feature and IMHO a LOT better.
Get some contrasting colour veneer from ebay or local. Nothing fancy as it only needs to be a different colour. Veneer isn't expensive
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My scales are two different colors. I got a plank that was bright on one end and dark on the other with a diagonal transition line. It should look nice.
 
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