Learning time...disassembling micarta scales

C

CDH

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
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283
Well they say you learn from your mistakes faster than from your successes, right? Well my latest attempt with cutlery rivets and micarta scales on a kitchen knife looks unsalvagable. Now the fun (sic) part:

How do I disassemble the scales from the blade blank without ruining the blade? I have too much time and $$$ invested in grinding and HT to just toss it, especially when I manage about a blade every month or two.

I have 3 possibilities in mind. One is to drill out the rivets and see if I can hammer until the epoxy comes apart. I'm really concerned about destroying the blank and/or pinching a drill bit with this method.

Two, I can cut/file/grind the scales down to the tang and try to break then apart in pieces. This also risks blade damage and is much more tedious, but seems safer.

Third, does micarta dissolve in acetone? I've never tried...but I have a quart in the shop.

Anyone have a better option?:confused:
 
Acetone should not effect cured epoxies.

For the rest, I am not sure. I suppose a fresh coarse grit belt on the sander and grind, grind away.

Let us know, I'll probably have the same problem eventually...
 
I would drill out the rivits and try and pop the scales off with a hammer and chisel. If that does not work then carefully cut the scales off on a bandsaw as close as you can get to the blade and sand. Most epoxies are solvent and chemical resistant.
 
You can also drill out the rivets and then immerse the scales in boiling water. Most epoxies break down around 160-170F. You can't overheat your blade and the water shouldn't hurt the micarta. Dry the scales and have at it again.

Gene
 
I was also going to suggest heat, or freezing the knife. Hopefully the rivets won't be too much trouble after you drill the heads off.
 
Heat it will be then, I had completely forgotten about epoxy softening at near boiling water temperatures.

I think that once the rivet heads are drilled out and the epoxy broken down the scales will come off without too much fuss...I had never dreamed it, but they might even be reusable! Maybe next time the rivet won't get cockeyed in the hole...:mad:

Thanks to all for the hints!
 
Gene, Thanks a bunch!! Tried a set of scales for my own curiousity and it worked fine. Great tip!
 
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