Making micarta

Something I've noticed about the denim compared to the regular canvas and linens I've used. After it's finished out it feels fuzzy soft and kind of warm. Maybe I'm crazy, but it's just like the well worn, old comfortable jeans they're made from. If I could just figure out how to get a good beer and my teddy bear squished into slab form I just might have the perfect, feel-good handle material. The kind of knife you'd snuggle up to on a dark stormy night.:)

The hair idea is a little disturbing and interesting at the same time. I got my hair cut the other day and watched the girl in the next chair sweeping up. You could mix up a batch of blond, brunette, and punk rocker for a camo pattern. Damn though! You just know it's going to stink when you're grinding it.
 
Larry Hensley said:
I didnt use canvas I just purchased a couple of yards of Linen and alternated it one then the other. THis is my first attempt at making the stuff so I was pretty Happy. My next project for this stuff is Denim. I got a pair of pants that are now to big and I want to remember that I used to be bigger than I am now so I am gonna make a knife with my Big But Jeans LOL. (Not that these are any smaller but they are a bit smaller)

Larry
Click to expand...

Larry showed me his first try and I was impressed!
 
On saturday morning I made another denim micarta slab... Last time I bought resin and hardener I bought 1kg but only used half of it. I measured it by weight and I eyed the hardener. When I did my first slab long ago I ALMOST didn't have time to clamp it down.. I hardened pretty quick. Seems like I just put too much hardener on it. So on Saturday I figured out I didn't have enough hardener for 1/2kg of resin so I got rid of some of the resin, mixed it and made my slab. I took a long time to harden... and on Sunday afternoon it was not as hard as my first slab. I hope it comes out hard enough after a while...

I bought some more resin and did another slab on Saturday afternoon and this time I also eyed the hardener but got rid of about 1/4 of the resin first...

Mikel
 
Tinbasher said:
What resin would you recomend to use .
Richard
Click to expand...

im still working on that but
west system and a few other boat types are mostly clear and have UV blockers in them

also you can vary the pot life a lot more with how the % are mixed
take note i dont much make layer any more

will again soon when i find a mostly proper resin for it
 
butcher_block said:
im still working on that but
west system and a few other boat types are mostly clear and have UV blockers in them

also you can vary the pot life a lot more with how the % are mixed
take note i dont much make layer any more

will again soon when i find a mostly proper resin for it
Click to expand...

how do you do it or what do you do if your not layering the material??? I am most interested in that....
 
i cut all the fabric in to little bits and then make a mash of the resin and fabric
i have a steel box that i press the "mash " into with my 12 ton press then take the box apart after it cured
make sure to plastic line the box if you ever want to get it apart :)
 
butcher_block said:
i cut all the fabric in to little bits and then make a mash of the resin and fabric
i have a steel box that i press the "mash " into with my 12 ton press then take the box apart after it cured
make sure to plastic line the box if you ever want to get it apart :)
Click to expand...

Is the box something you made or purchased?
 
i made it 6x10 inch
C channel and 1/4 inch plate with 12 bolts

working on a long box 3x24 inch now for some different projects
 
lukus said:
Something I've noticed about the denim compared to the regular canvas and linens I've used. After it's finished out it feels fuzzy soft and kind of warm. Maybe I'm crazy, but it's just like the well worn, old comfortable jeans they're made from. If I could just figure out how to get a good beer and my teddy bear squished into slab form I just might have the perfect, feel-good handle material. The kind of knife you'd snuggle up to on a dark stormy night.:)

The hair idea is a little disturbing and interesting at the same time. I got my hair cut the other day and watched the girl in the next chair sweeping up. You could mix up a batch of blond, brunette, and punk rocker for a camo pattern. Damn though! You just know it's going to stink when you're grinding it.
Click to expand...

Mentioning 1200 psi and this comment reminded me of a thread I read on a British board. According to the maker it is very possible to squeeze out too much resin. This can create a number of problems not the least being moisture absorbtion.

I have seen (a number of times) the recommendation of a last coat of resin/epoxy on the outside after it is 'done'. I have done this, it resulted in bubbles and an overall 'orange peel' look to it but after a (very) light sanding I got the regular purdy WD40/Olive Oil (I use veggie oils on my kitchen wear knives just because the thought of industrial oil in my food is icky... just be aware that veggie oils can turn rancid after a while so a proper cleaning and re-ap is necessary)...

Strength is also a consideration. I doubt it is a big problem but in an heirloom piece Id consider more epoxy.

Hope I didnt offend ya, Im not saying your slabs are inferior, just somethin to think about. :)
 
butcher_block said:
i cut all the fabric in to little bits and then make a mash of the resin and fabric
i have a steel box that i press the "mash " into with my 12 ton press then take the box apart after it cured
make sure to plastic line the box if you ever want to get it apart :)
Click to expand...

Gonna have to try that sometime. I Like how your stuff turns out so I hope I can get something presentable soemday LOL
 
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