For the want of straight hole...

[C L Wilkins]

Attaching the scales that are flat on both sides are a given but what are some of the tips that you guys have to offer for drilling straight holes through uneven scales such as stag?

I just extend the tang off the the side of the drill press table by clamping the blade to the table and drill through the scale (after the one side or scale, is epoxied).

Any other tricks of the trade?

C Wilkins

 

[mikeS]

Wayne Goddard has a neat setup in his new book for this. It is an auxillary table that clmaps to the drill press. Mine is 10guage steel . I mark the layoutof the tang on the scale. Drill into the stag just enough to locate the drill bit, clamp the stag to the underside of the 10gauge plate( this plate has a support on either side to allow room underneath I welded angles to mine but it could be srcewed to wood,Holes are predrilled through the plate) line up the holes with pins, tape the back side of the stag, sometimes I wedge a bord under the exit of the drill bit.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

This comes in the form of a True Confession. Since I epoxy one scale to the tang before I drill any holes, and stag is pretty easy to drill through, I just used some creatively wadded paper shop towel to support the stag as I drill through the holes in the tang. I then epoxy on the other scale and repeat the process. I find that by letting the holes in the first scale to center themselves on the bit as I'm drilling the second scale, it all comes out even. It's kind of loosey goosey, but it works for me.


------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com

 

[Normark]

Hi Jerry....

Another way of doing it instead of paper towels, what I have done is use a big wad of plasterscene <SP?> molding clay,, the kind kids use at school to make stuff.

This allows you to squeeze the knife down into the material and holds it pretty steady.

The molding clay gets shavings in it,, but can be reused over and over. A little tape on the underside, protects from the knife from the clay.


ttyle Eric...

------------------
Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom,Quality, Concealex Sheaths.

Leading The Way In Synthetic Sheathing.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

Great idea, Eric. I have to confess to feeling a little ashamed of my crudeness sometimes. I'll get some clay.

Thanks for the tip.

------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com