Micarta question

TLR

TLR

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Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
1,574
So I got some micarta in from a well known supplier and the bottom layer doesn't look like it wetted through with the epoxy. It feels like cloth and the edge is actually frayed like cloth. It's not spongy at all. Is this somewhat normal? Should I use it as is, sand it down and use it or send it back.
 
Some suppliers surface grind one side of the micarta so it is nice and flat. If you don't think that this is what they did I would contact the supplier, and ask them about it.
 
Sounds normal to me. Where did you buy it?

When I buy micarta (usually from USAKnifemaker.com), one side is polished, the other is unfinished. I usually grind that side to 60 grit or so to smooth it so I get a better glueline.
 
Hard to tell without seeing it (hint hint) but... you'll feel the texture if it's not finely sanded, but it shouldn't be "spongy". It should be hard all the way through no matter how rough it is. Sand a small area down to at least 600 grit and see how it feels then.
 
Often, the canvas micarta blocks will have frayed cloth edges if they are cut with a rough or worn saw blade - this isn't unusual. I got a block of natural canvas micarta yesterday with a 1/4" fringe hanging off one of the edges. :) And I agree with the guys that often the bottom layer of the blocks/slabs are not sanded after production and you can feel the cloth texture on this side. But it definitely SHOULD NOT feel spongy. If it looks like there are gaps or voids, I'd send it back. If it is just rough - I'd take the guys' advice and try sanding it down to see how it responds. If it polishes right up, then you will probably be good-to-go.

TedP
 
Thanks guys. It is definitely not spongy it's just...cloth on the one side. Sounds like it's normal then. It's the only piece that I got from them like this. Sounds exactly like what Matt described. I'll sand on it and see what happens. If it doesn't look right I'll throw up a picture when I can get to it. Thanks for the quick answers!
 
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