Making "Damascus" micarta

ArielSalaverria · Dec 4, 2005

This is my daughter Leonor, she will be helping me on this

Here you can see her cutting the clothings for this micarta. There are 12 pieces of each color, with a size of 10 x 3"

Every 2 pieces of clothing, I place marine resin like honey on a toast (I've used a total of 350 grams of resin)

Once I have the finished stack of clothings and resin, I twist them just using my (gloved) hands.

I place that twisted cylinder between two wooden boards covered with plastic bags to prevent glueing and then get that on my manual press and leave it there til it dries.

Straight out of the press, already dryed up.

Pattern after some grinding.

I hope you like it.

Regards,

Ariel

butcher_block · Dec 4, 2005

nice i wouldnt have thought of doing a twist too cool
butch

Jason Cutter · Dec 5, 2005

I've often wondered how that was done. Its just too cool to actually see that in pictures ! Jason.

Redsnake1997 · Dec 5, 2005

Thanks for your continued education and great pics.

BTW, I can clearly see the family resemblance between you and your daughter... :thumbup:

Way-O · Dec 5, 2005

Very cool! Thank you for sharing this!

Peter_E_Ryt · Dec 6, 2005

Thanks for the tutorial!
I've got a quick couple of questions:
-Does the resin have to cover the entire cloth, or can there be messy spots and gaps?
-Can any regular epoxy be used with similar results, or does it have to be Marine Resin?

Thanks!

barrabas74 · Dec 6, 2005

That is very cool, I wouldnt think that the twist would cause all those patters but I guess that along with flattening it. That just pretty cool man.

TATTOOMAN · Dec 18, 2005

WHAT BRAND MARINE EPOXY AND HARDNER DID YOU USE? I WOULD LIKE TO
TRY THIS MYSELF. THE PATTERN WAS GREAT. THANKS, RANDY.:thumbup:

Fred.Rowe · Dec 18, 2005

Thanks for sharing Ariel. Fred

wetdog1911 · Dec 21, 2005

That is just so neat! Stunning actually.

Rob

bump · Jan 20, 2006

Good idea.Can post more pictures please?

woodysone · Jan 20, 2006

THANk YOU! thank you, but please don't leave us hanging. Would love to see how this shapes up.

Tracer-san · Jan 20, 2006

Ariel sent me some pics to upload to the site, as soon as they're ready, I'll send him the URL to post them

(Today probably!)

CanDo · Nov 27, 2006

Very cool.

Question to anyone with experience making micarta:
Is HUGE pressure necessary? Could I get the needed pressure using a vice? How about by tightening two boards together with bolts and a very long wrench?

Thanks.

cybrok · Nov 27, 2006

It looks so simple...

but looks so good

Now I know what to do with my old black clothes

butcher_block · Nov 27, 2006

i used c clamps and boards when i started but upgraded after a while
even tried a car jack one time

Jim Rehrer · Nov 27, 2006

This looks like something i want to try...are there other things to do to get different patterns other then just twisting the cloth? anyone else with experience?

raidops · Nov 28, 2006

I've heard that some knifemakers making their micarta for knife handle materials. It's awesome ! Moreover it's damascus steel really. You are great!