File work

Jimbo670

Jimbo670

Joined
Dec 25, 2005
Messages
77
I have made several blades as well as completed some bought blanks. I am working on a blade now that has file work. How do you glue the handles on and not get any glue in the file work?
 
I have not done file work, but I've read this question a few times and the answer I've always seen is to dye the epoxy let it fill the file work, then grind everything flush.
 
You will get glue in the file work. After the handles are glued and clamped use blue shop towels, then Q-tip swabs and alcohol to lean up the glue. Don't use the swabs dripping with alcohol, just wet. You can also use an old toothbrush dampened with alcohol to get in the deep spots. Glue squeeze out will likely continue for a while. Keep checking for squeeze out and keep cleaning it out until it stops.
 
A lot of the ones I've seen just dye the epoxy and fill it all in. When you grind it all off you will only see the file work. Most of what I've seen have used black epoxy.
 
Try coating the filework with a light coat of oil before applying the epoxy. Nothing heavy...something like Rem Oil or Break Free. Some epoxy will still get in your cuts but the oil keeps it from holding tight. Most of it will get ground out when shaping the scales. Much of the remaining can be wiped out with a little carb cleaner on a towel. Use a dental pick for the stubborn bits.
 
Jimbo670, Most of the knives I have seen...in fact all of them have epoxy in the file work. The epoxy can be colored but is usually black. The big thing to remember when gluing up the scales is to get a lot of epoxy in the file work to be ground flush later. File work under the bolsters looks cool also with black epoxy in it. Larry

FhEAiE7l.jpg
B6uVZLzl.jpg
 
Thank you all. I guess I was doing it the hard way. I was going to use gorilla glue then fill in with the epoxy. Guess I will glue with epoxy.
 
I haven't been messing with file work but when I glue the handles on I paint a layer of mold release onto the areas I don't want epoxy. any squeeze out scrapes right off after that.
 
I may be the odd man out here, but I just use the clear epoxy. I like seeing the depth of the file work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top