Help Sanding Micarta

[guitardemon]

I am new at knife making (I guess kit making would be a more appropriate term) and I have trouble evenly sanding down my handles. I seem to end up sanding the ends down more than getting an even surface. For my current knife I am getting 3/8 canvas micarta, which I'd like to get that down to 1/4 inch. The only tools I have are assorted files, a drill press, and a electric sander. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[wnease]

oops, I think you should buy some 1/4 inch micarta, sanding down from 3/8 without a belt sander will be a nightmare. work down the outside of the scales and leave the original flat surface on the inside to mate to the tang.

 

[guitardemon]

I wish it was that easy. I really wanted some olive green micarta, but all I could find was 3/8 inch.

 

[adammichael]

is there anyone that you know that has a band saw and can cut it down to 1/4 " before you install it on the knife?

 

[scottickes]

Where do you live? A knifemaker in your area would probably be willing to assist you.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

If your files won't take that 3/8 down to 1/4 in about 3 minutes - they are dull!

 

[Barkes Knife Shop]

Go to Sears and get a 4x36 sander, it will come with a 220 grit belt. Get some scrap to practice on. You will need to get a set of Mike's to check the thickness as you work the piece down to the proper size.

If it is hard to hold utilize some masking tape and tape it to the surface to hold on to. Do not apply pressure when working down the material. Just hold it steady and let the sander do the work. Mike it at first, sand a little and check. When you get it down to the proper thickness then stop.

Also, check your material on a granite stone for flatness. You can always use the sander on other projects out in the shop. It will be a good investment and not to expenses. And use some kind of mask when you are sanding Micarta. If you want to see what one looks like I have one on my site in my shop.

Have a great day and remember that it is not the only way, its just one way to do it. Hope this was of help to you. :thumbup:

 

[Patrickknives]

I dont usually take micarta down like you plan but I do sand to shape. I mark around the edge where I want to sand to. This gives me a target all around the piece. File to close to where you want to be, then place a piece of rough (100 grit) sandpaper on a flat surface. I have a marble tile (floor tile)from home depot. An now sand to thickness. Move around so you do not round off the edges on one side. I use a dial caliper to make sure it is even. You can make a guage that has a 1/4" opening to move over the surface to see where you need to remove material. ALso to hold the micarto while sanding make a tab of masking tape, just a lenght of tape with the center pinched so you have something to hold onto.