Hand rubbing and protection from epoxy

etp777

etp777

Joined
Aug 12, 2002
Messages
2,259
OK, I have a hunter here that I plan on hand rubbing the blade on. Picked up sand paper from 100-2000 grit(will actually start with the 220 or 320 grit sandpaper, the 100 is for shaping handles). Anyways, I want to do the lbade before attaching handles this time, as I found the problem y'all warned me of of not being able to get section of blade closest to handles done wya I wanted. So I am going to cmpletely finish the blade before attaching the handles. Now what I want to know, is how do I protect what will be a beautiful hand rubbed finish(I'm hoping so anwyas ;) ) from getting epoxy on it, and what do I use to clean the epoxy if some does get on there? I have acetone around for various things, can I use this to clean the epoxy off if I get it while it's still wet?

I can go dig out my epoxy to see what kind it is if that will help.

If it matters, just using some omre of that same oak I used on last knife, and copper pins(figured they'd give a nice different look after brass pins in last one).
 
What I do is keep some acetone, a clean rag and some Qtips handy, and when I have everything pinned and clamped up, clean up the blade/handle area with acetone. Works great.

Dave
 
White vinagr will clean up epoxy befor it sets up
works good, use masking tape on the blade to protect
it.
Gib
 
Also Q-Tips and Acetone. After gluing, and assembling, I wipe off the real bad excess with a paper towel. After about 20-25 minutes I go back and use the Q-Tips soaked with Acetone. The Epoxy has had time to set up a little bit, and there is less chance of undercutting your handle. It also seems easier to manage then. If you are doing a full tang knife, just worry about in front of the handles. As you sand down the slabs in the finishing steps, it will take care of any dried excess, around the tang.
 
Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. I worry a bit about toxicity acetone but I still use it when I need to. Alcohol works just fine and it seems I'm used to the smell. :D I also use blue painters tape to keep epoxy off, scratches down and for safety.
 
If you are making fixed blades and don't install a guard or bolsters put vasline on the end of the handle it will keep the epoxy from sticking.
 
Wipe the blade down carefully with WD40 before going to work with the epoxy.It will keep the epoxy from sticking, so be very careful about what you get it on, and what you touch while your working with the epoxy.
 
Lacquer thinner works OK on JB Weld, so does WD40. I've tried both. On shafting epoxy from Golfsmith, it will wash it out. It is thinner than JB Weld.

C Wilkins
 
As soon as everything is clamped into place you can spray the blade with WD-40 and wipe off all the excess epoxy before it begins to set. Works great and it's real easy.
 
My Vote is for Break Cleaner.

Works on Devcon and Loctite epoxies. Actually it instantly disolves the unhardened stuff. Great for cleaning the hands and drips. (Good on guns too.)

Steve
 
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