Making wooden scales for my BK2- Any tips?

[Doogoon]

So I'm using black walnut. (I think) Here are some pics of the progress I made today.

Here they are after cutting them to size on the ban saw, bolted to a piece of sheet metal that I carefully snipped to the size of the scales.

Here they are after I sanded them down to the exact size I'm looking for.

I made more progress then that, but I forgot to take pics before I left the shop. I have one of them pretty close to shape of the grivory scales. I'd really like them to be as close as possible to the grivory scales, and I think I'm doing a fair job getting that done.

Now does anyone have any tips on making the scales? I have the shape down no problem, but I don't know how I'm going to properly make the hole for the nut or the finish I should use.

 

[K9-Handler]

Search!

 

[Doogoon]

Search!

No I'm showing off and I'm too lazy to search.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

I would chisel the nut holes...or, if I really liked how they came out, I would drill and counter sink them a bit, and use tube rivets to hold them on..more of a permanent hold, but they could be drill off again if need be.

 

[CamH_16]

Not bad at all ...

 

[FAL'ER]

That first pic is exactly how I do mine. i have a dvd case template. I'll sand all the way down to the template on the butt and the hilt and then mount it to the BK2 to work it down to the tang on the front and rear. Then I take it off and work down the thickness.

 

[Widerstand]

Rather then making a hole for a nut you could just use loveless bolts.

 

[Awesom-o-4000]

I have seen people drill a round hole just a bit undersized then with the scale attached to the knife on just one side tighten the bolt until the nut is pulled into the hole. I havent tried this so i dont know how well it works though.

 

[FAL'ER]

I have seen people drill a round hole just a bit undersized then with the scale attached to the knife on just one side tighten the bolt

tighten very lightly, trace around the nut with a ballpoint pen, then used a small chisel to remove the material inside of the pen marks. Then reattach the the hardware and tighten until the nut will suck up into the scale.

 

[Cobra281]

General tip ... go slow.

Measure and fit a ton of times before cutting/drilling/sanding.

A practice set of scales is not a bad idea for trying stuff - mess up some pine before some exotic woods.

A Dremel is not a bad tool for this type of work.

A belt sander upside down in a vice is good for rough shaping.

Just a couple tips, from all the mistakes I made (LOL)

Good luck. Mo' pics !