Canvas Base Phenolic

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Mar 29, 2002
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I am working a set of scales from Sheffield they show in there cataloge as phenolic (the table of contents calls it micarta but it smells like phenolic when sanded). The scales are canvas base and in belt sanding them thinner I periodically quenched them in water. Overnight they left water stains behind. I have them attached to the tang now and will be shaping tommorrow.

My question is what if anything should I finish the surface with. Will stains, such as water, blood, etc., on this material persist if not coated with a proper finish?

I have been exposed to phenolic in my early days of electronics when phenolic was a common low voltage circuit board material but I never concerned myself with what the board finish looked like for that.

Thanks; Roger
 
Roger,
I have never had a problem with the stuff, I sand it down to 600 grit or finer then I polish it, with a fine white buffing compound, and that seems to put a nice shiny tigher grain finish on it. My 2 1/2 cents.
:D
 
the paper and linen stuff i take to 600g. i leave the canvas at 220g for a good wet grippy finish like my bushwhacker model. play with it and see what works best for you.
 
Rodger, my guess is that the stains you are seeing are mineral deposits from the water. I've had that happen from time to time. They just buff out.
 
So if I call it micarta or phenolic I would be correct? I did not know what the difference might be.

Roger

Thanks to the other posts too. I will take your advises. (advises: a little WV lingo there)
 
Rlinger, sure, but many would not know what you were talking about. Probably safer to just use the term Micarta, seems everyone knows what that is. Like canvas Micarta, linen Micarta, etc.;)
 
The black canvas base micarta scales turned out great at 600 grit. While working it the color was not black but greyish instead with the canvas very apparent. As I went down in grit size it regained its black color with the canvas appearence lessoning enourmously. Looks good against the red liners and spacers.

Thanks; I like it but not as much to work with, I think, as the linen based I had used on my first knike. Who knows! More experience will tell on a later day.

RL
 
RL, I don't mean to throw cold water on your fun here, but you might want to wear a respirator with organic vapor/formaldehyde cartridges in it when you work with Micarta. The stuff is very toxic, giving off phenol and formaldehyde gas as it is worked. It might have no apparent effect on you, at first, but in the long run...............:eek:
 
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