G10 Failure : Finally a pair of usable scales :)

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double7

Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
81
So last week I received a Benchmade Adamas in the mail. I had bought some G10 scale to mod the handle and I got a brand new Dremel with all the bells and whistles.

I started working on them this morning and was doing great until it came time to drill the smaller holes for the screws. I measured and traced them. but wheni went to mount it the darn holes would not line up correctly :confused:

so i tried to drill them a little wider, then filing one, was pretty bad, I ended up with two parallel holes and both of these were misaligned as well:mad:

This really sucks, I was so excited with the way it was turning out and had spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon working at it, not to mention the Adamas is hard as heck to reassemble.

I still have the other scale left, so im going to order some more G10 and use the I guess ill practice with the one, i messed up.

Ill post pics tomorrow...
 
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That sucks to hear.

But to be clear, the failure was on your part, not the G10's part right?
 
Scurvy092 said:
That sucks to hear.

But to be clear, the failure was on your part, not the G10's part right?
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Definitely my fault, I should have measured better and perhaps clamped the two pieces together, I didnt because I did not want to damage my original scales though
 
Try clamping the g-10 to your original scale. Drill the pivot first then the stop pin then your scale screws (in that order). Keep it clamped tight. Leave about an 1/8" lip all the way around the scale. Mount it to check the fit, if its where you want it to be, you should be ready for trimming and counter sinking
 
I used to do a fair amount of home gunsmithing, and still do a lot of work on items I don't want dinged up. Have a 4" bench vise that I swapped out the regular jaws for hardwood - works very well for projects like the one you're describing. There can be no precision without stability.
 
Thanks for the pointers guys, ill be investing in a vise and a couple of clamps :)

I was thinking of a way i might be able to save the scales. what do you guys think? Filling the holes with some epoxy and re drilling.

It will look ugly but it just might work.
 
double7 said:
Thanks for the pointers guys, ill be investing in a vise and a couple of clamps :)

I was thinking of a way i might be able to save the scales. what do you guys think? Filling the holes with some epoxy and re drilling.

It will look ugly but it just might work.
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Use those scales for a smaller knife, if you're anything like me you'll get mad just looking at those epoxied holes every time you use the knife :barf:
 
I've been making scales for knives for years and I still mis-drill holes on occasion. Once you learn the tricks to keeping them aligned, you also need to maintain your focus when in the shop. One little momentary distraction and the scales are ruined.

I'd chalk it up to learning curve, discard the G10 and give it another go.

Cheers!
TedP
 
Here are the pics. Warning, Graphic content :D

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You've done some nice work there. Try the epoxy but at the very leeway you've learned a few important lessons. I forgot to mention that once I drill the hole, I run a screw of similar size thru it and hand tighten a nut on the other side. ie 1/4" pivot gets a1/4" screw thru it then another screw for the stop pin and maybe another for the rearmost hole on the scale. Seems like a lot but it leaves them pretty spot on. Keep up the good work...as you do more it gets easier
 
Are you using a press? Aside from the Dremel, which tools are you using?

I'd save the botched scale, grind it flat and use it as a template. Definitely drill your holes first so that you don't waste an afternoon should things go south.

I little smear of super glue (not a drop) can be used to secure your pieces together.

They look good though. And I agree, don't try to fill the hole unless you're going to use it for a template. It'll bother you knowing you could have done better.
 
dcmartin said:
You've done some nice work there. Try the epoxy but at the very leeway you've learned a few important lessons. I forgot to mention that once I drill the hole, I run a screw of similar size thru it and hand tighten a nut on the other side. ie 1/4" pivot gets a1/4" screw thru it then another screw for the stop pin and maybe another for the rearmost hole on the scale. Seems like a lot but it leaves them pretty spot on. Keep up the good work...as you do more it gets easier
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Thanks, Ill try that next time around. never thought about it, another thing I might do is to trace the scale on paper and then glue it to the G10. and triple check measurements before I even look at a drill. Then start with the smallest drill bit possible and test fit from there. It has worked for me before but at a much smaller scale (models)
 
Strigamort said:
Are you using a press? Aside from the Dremel, which tools are you using?

I'd save the botched scale, grind it flat and use it as a template. Definitely drill your holes first so that you don't waste an afternoon should things go south.

I little smear of super glue (not a drop) can be used to secure your pieces together.

They look good though. And I agree, don't try to fill the hole unless you're going to use it for a template. It'll bother you knowing you could have done better.
Click to expand...

Nope, everything was done freehand, but a press is next on my things to buy list as well. Im afraid I cant use either template because none of the holes on either one line up.
 
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When doing stuff like this, a drill press is you best friend. I built a Fender telecaster body several years ago and drilled the string through holes by hand. It works but most people ask if I was drinking when I built it.
 
Just have fun.
I have the advantage that I recently purchased a nice drill press. And made my own high speed router table. I spent no more than 125$ on used machinery. It was well worth it. Between them and some sandpaper. I can make better than factory handle scales when I have the time.
Good luck and keep at it.
 
More Pics: I worked on the scales again today, I "finished" them. I got them to the point where I could mount them on the knife. I also decided to try my hand at making patterns. the experience was great, but at $10 per set of scales, mistakes, practice and experience can be costly. With time and more planning ahead Im sure I can get a more symmetric and visually appealing pattern, although I kind of like the way these turned out.
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