Finished mosaic handle WIP pics w/sheath finally

How does the CA hold up?
To my knollege CA is very strong, but a bit brittle
 
Hengelo_77 said:
How does the CA hold up?
To my knollege CA is very strong, but a bit brittle
Click to expand...

C.A. glue holds up very well when it's used in thin applications between other materials, probably not as well in thick applications and when exposed, as in using it as a finish for a knife. I know it will surprise you to learn that I have made mistakes on some assemblies and had to take them appart.:D. It's near impossible unless you can heat it up to 300 degrees (thats when C.A. lets go) If you can't heat it, you pretty much got to destroy it to get it appart. Understand, that I am talking about use in this application, I am not trrying to say it's good for everything, other things work better in other applications, scale to full tang assembly for instance.
I'm talking about the higher grades of C.A. not your regular super glue. Thanks Mark
 
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handleshaping001.jpg

OK, so now I am ready to shape the handle, I made a filler piece for the guard end of the handle, there is a tendency to round the end over without something there to keep the corner sharp and crisp. The whole thing is held together with the dummy tang. Center lines are drawn on all sides and the rough shape of the handle is drawn.

handleshaping003.jpg

Here's a shot of the guard end with the filler piece, pins and dummy tang.

handleshaping004.jpg

The sides are ground to shape on the disk sander.

handleshaping005.jpg

and the corners knocked off on the disk sander.

handleshaping007.jpg

Here's the bolster end with the corners knocked off, thats the nut and dummy tang in the center.

handleshaping009.jpg

The handle is starting to take shape on the oscillating spindle sander, you can use the 2 X 72 but it sure saves time when you don't have to change contact wheels so much.
 
handleshaping010.jpg

I beveled the bolster, it will be crowned during the final touches on the knife, after the real tang is in, for now I just want to remove most of the material, it's important to keep the parts cool as you do the shaping, C.A. glue (most glues for that matter) will let loose with heat.

handleshaping011.jpg

Finishing the shape with the 2 X 72. I start with 120 grit and go all the way through the grits to 400 then finish with a used 400 grit belt to smooth it up some more. I am using new belts, it's tempting to use belts that have been used before but the control you get from new belts can't be beat. These are J-flex belts, they are flexable enough for the curves in the handle. If I need to do tighter curves, like in finger grooves, I split the belts.

handleshaping013.jpg

The handle is pretty close to the finish shape, I have exposed some cavities while shaping that I need to fill, other than that and some more sanding, it is just about ready to put on the knife. I hope you like it, please let me know if I left anything out. Next, shaping the two piece guard. Thanks for looking Mark
 
That is so beautiful looking that I am tempted to give a mosaic handle a try. Thankfully common sense will keep me from trying it any time soon.
 
Looking good Mark. It is refreshing to see someone who dares to "step out of the box" and try something different. My hat is off to you Sir. Not everyone could pull this off.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

Robert
 
When you use the ca glue do you let it air dry or do you use an accellarant?

The handle looks great and your instructions were very good. I will try something similar but will start with a simpler version. You made it look easy enough. There were a lot of other little things you showed that will help me with other chores as well. Thanks for taking the time to give such good instructions.
 
Burl Source said:
When you use the ca glue do you let it air dry or do you use an accellarant?

The handle looks great and your instructions were very good. I will try something similar but will start with a simpler version. You made it look easy enough. There were a lot of other little things you showed that will help me with other chores as well. Thanks for taking the time to give such good instructions.
Click to expand...

When using C.A. glue to stabilize and in thin applications, I use the eccellarant. It will craze (thats the foggy white stuff) if used on heavy applications like when filling larger cracks, so I try not to use it if I think it will craze.
 
Stay tuned, I have some other machine shop stuff to do but I am going to try and finish the knife in the next day or two.
 
Re: Accelerants
FlashTac in the aerosol can does not cause the glue to turn white. It's all I use.
 
OK, got some stuff out of the way, barring floods or heart attacks we are going to finish this up, unless of course I mess it up and have to do some things over.

guard001.jpg

Here's the second dry fit, everything looks pretty good, the guard is the only major thing left, and then some finish fit work.

guard002.jpg

Here I have scribed the handle side of the guard. I have already fit that part of the guard to the handle pretty close here so I want to preserve the shape under the handle while I shape the rest of the guard.

guard003.jpg

I scribed the blade side of the guard for the same reason.

guard005.jpg

I am pinning the two halves together with the liner in between to shape them.

guard009.jpg

The shape is roughed in on the disk sander...

guard010.jpg

then smoothed out on the 2 X 72. I am using J-flex belts again so all the curves blend well. You can see where I am saving the area where it was fit to the handle.

guard012.jpg

Here's the blade side sanded to 400 grit. More in the morning.
 
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