Filework and epoxy

If you dye the epoxy black (or any other color for that matter), just leave it in to fill the filework and finish as usual. It makes people think you did all those tiny little inlays...
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Actually I do this all the time, and it looks nice so long as you are careful in finishing it smoothly. Once hard it takes a nice easy polish.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
Use slow set epoxy, it is stronger and gives you more time for cleanup. Wet epoxy can be removed with rubbing alcohol. I like to use Q-tip swabs soaked in alcohol to rub off wet epoxy.
 
What kind of epoxy are you using? Some can be removed after the fact with solvents such as acetone.

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Oz

"Violence never settles anything."
Genghis Khan 1162-1227

Check out my egostistical homepage!
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
One other thing that you may consider is using screws or blind bolts to attach the scales. You can use epoxy as well but be very judicial when using it. You don't have to really use that much if bolt or screws are used. As stated by the other folks, if any of it seeps into the file work, you can get it out with a sharp pointed object just prior to it hardening. I have had pretty good success doing it this way.

One other thing, Gaknife mentioned to dye the epoxy. That is always very good advice regardless of the blade!

C Wilkins

[This message has been edited by C L Wilkins (edited 02-24-2000).]
 
With dye.
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Sorry, couldn't resist.

K&G sells it; it's on page 20 of their current catalog.



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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
If you use the dyes, use just as little as you can, and expect the epoxy to take twice as long to set properly. I use the dry pigments from K&G.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
On the subject of dying epoxy, be careful..I have heard recomendations in the past for using all sorts of things to do this that I would be afraid would degrade the adhesive strength of the epoxy. Stay with some inert substance that also acts as a filler , such as black iron oxide(what i use in J B Weld, esp. since it is steel filled already) or very fine 'carborundum" abrasive grit. both will make it jet black. use minimum amount.
 
Caution, if the filework is between the handle scales, IMO you are not going to be able to use alcohol to remove the epoxy from the filework without eroding some of the epoxy holding the scales to the tang. Also, make sure the alcohol doesn't harm the handle material. If it is Micarta, no problem, but some other materials might not like an alcohol bath.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
 
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