How to prep handle scales on full tang damascus?

[Tenebr0s]

I'm interested in attempting a full-tang damascus knife with an etched spine. I've been looking around but haven't found much info on this: what methods do you guys use to temporarily but securely attach handle scales to get everything ground flush and sanded before removing and etching the blade?

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere!

 

[NeilJBorja]

RangerBobTX just had a thread on this, but I had trouble finding it before through searches, check it out for some suggestions:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...g-removable-scales-on-a-fixed-blade-FOLLOW-UP!

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Screw 'em on.
Here's a hot-blued Damascus blade with a mirror polished spine.
Screw everything on and finish to fit.
Remove screws.
Etch Damascus - or whatever else you want to do.
Screw 'em back on. Don't let the simplicity of it baffle you.

 

[John Katt]

5 minute epoxy has a surprisingly low melting point, sometimes as low as 160 degrees, use a couple small drops shape your handle, after heat the handle with a hair dryer and they will slide right off

 

[Tenebr0s]

Thank you all for the replies. I think I will go the screw/bolt route for temporarily attaching the scales. Is there a problem with using bolts the same diameter as my final pin stock? The only reason I ask is because pins can sometimes get stuck if you put them all in... But smaller diameter bolts would risk the scales not being aligned properly.