Cut into this G10 and was shocked at what I found

Ok I snapped some pictures. Good news is that it looks like old micarta bad news is the price tag is $325. The table is solid steel with adjustable legs.

12507330_10209143053920466_6654780989037226751_n.jpg


11048716_10209143053760462_7992499809807509091_n.jpg


12523098_10209143054600483_7695880194400161435_n.jpg
 
The table top is made of canvas Micarta. Your block is paper Micarta.
 
Any idea how old it is? Vintage micarta is in demand now. If so it looks like a score to me if it's in good shape and there's not too much rot or delamination. It could be a little project if you're up for it...
Cutting it up into 2" X 6" blocks gives you 384 blocks. You might have to throw out 20ish blocks because of rot but you wouldn't have to sell too many to break even. Sell a bunch of it and maybe even make money on the investment.
Plus you could replace the top with thick plywood and resell the table for $200 to $300.
 
I'd probably pass on the table if you're counting on Westinghouse micarta. Looks like a piece of regular industrial grade canvas micarta to me. That said, $350 is still less than what that sheet would probably cost on its own. Some of that industrial grade micarta cuts and grinds pretty hard though, as a lot of it was originally spec'd for wear liners and such on thinks like steel rolling lines and other applications where there was a lot of running and sliding of heavy material over it. Incidentally, that may be why the outer layer is red, to show a higher contrast after wear.
 
Oh, and keep in mind that much or all of that Westinghouse micarta has asbestos in it, which is probably the reason its not made anymore...

Proceed accordingly.
 
Lol.......now I'm curious! This summer I bought a Rockwell tester and cabinet to go with it from a local die shop and I noticed that it had a top that looked like red or burgundy micarta. It looks exactly like the stuff in the picture the OP posted. I may have to do a scratch test to see if I need to cut it up for knives. It's about 18" x 24" and 1" thick so I could get quite a few knives out of it.

Jay
 
Antlerhog said:
Does all the old Westinghouse material have asbestos in it?

Jay
Click to expand...

Honestly, it's speculation as far as I know, I've heard that only the material previous to the 1950-60's has asbestos, which seems more likely to me, since I highly doubt they were still allowed to put it in during the 80's, but how are you going to tell which is which?

Even of the same type, various westinghouse material exhibits different properties of cut, feel, and color (change). Regardless, best to use a respirator, since breathing fine dust of any of this stuff is likely to kill you long term.

I'm guilty of taking a quick pass on the grinder without a mask occasionally, but I always wish I hadn't been too lazy to put on the hood. Maybe it's mental, but it definitely makes me feel uneasy.
 
I see no reason that any of it had asbestos in it. It was laminated paper, linen, or canvas. Why would asbestos have been added?
 
Last edited:
Bill DeShivs said:
I see no reason that any of it had asbestos in it. It was laminated paper, lined, or canvas. Why would asbestos have been added?
Click to expand...

If one really wanted to know,
Asbestos test kits are fairly cheap.
Results within a week they say...

Too bad there is no such thing as instant results DIY asbestos testing for average Joe.
Could put alot of rumors down & peace of mind to all manner of folks.
 
still worth it for a block that size... wear the appropriate safety equipment and you've got handle material to do you for years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top