How to flatten scales etc.

Not every flattening job needs ( or wants) a 2X76. To flatten a scale (or a folder blade) Dead Flat, tape a piece of 100 grit sandpaper on your granite surface plate. Take the item to be flattened and move it across the surface IN A FIGURE 8 motion. If you go back and forth, the ends will sand more than the middle ... and it will not be flat. To some degree, the belt grinder can do the same. By moving in a figure eight pattern, the sanding is very even.
 
If you don't have a Granite slab. I use a 12 x 12 piece of Tempered glass I keep in the shop for finally flat touch ups.

Any truly flat, surface and sandpaper will work.
 
Before I owned a granite slab I found a granite pastry board online for use with a rolling pin. It has four rubber feet and is pretty darned flat. In the winter I put wax paper on it and glue liners to scales and similar tasks. (In my kitchen) The pastry board cost about $20 shipping included but Laurence's idea of using a piece of glass would probably cost even less. I am going to try using the figure eight method that Mr. Apelt suggested to get my scales nice and flat. Thanks for the tips. Larry
 
Larry,
I also take a black sharpie and diagonally cross hatch the surface to be sanded. It gives me an idea of progress and when to apply more pressure if need be.

The piece of glass was free, i stopped by a local glass shop and chatted the man up telling him what i wanted it for. I was going to hand him a a $10-20, he said, naw, Just take it.
 
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