MOP work...

alejandrino

alejandrino

Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
1,769
Can I get an advice on cutting and shaping mother of pearl? Starting to work on one and would appreciate some advice. Thanks.
 
Thought you would get more expert answers here so I moved your thread.

Hope you do not mind.

Gus
 
Wear a good dust-mask, the dust from MOP can cause chemical pneumonia; it is very poisonous!
A dremel, files and sandpaper can be used.
 
Hengelo_77 said:
Wear a good dust-mask, the dust from MOP can cause chemical pneumonia; it is very poisonous!
A dremel, files and sandpaper can be used.
Click to expand...

just so you know MOP is not poisonous,,
but it is very bad for you to breath.

the dust particles will lodge in your lungs causing cists and then can cause other problems down the road... so yes use a good respirator..

it can also be ground (wet! ) but do not over heat it. drill with a very sharp bit and do so with a light hand. you can cut it with a jewelers saw.. and you can score it and brake it also.
 
As said, MOP is not poisonous, but is bad to breath the dust.
Saw it with a jewelers saw or fine hacksaw. Shape it with files, sand paper, a grinder, etc. It polishes easily with white rouge or no-scratch pink polish. It is soft so go slow and leave a little to remove in the finer steps and polishing. I work a lot of MOP, it is no problem, excepting the powdery dust. A good filter mask and a vacuum ( to clean up after you are done) take care of that.
Stacy
 
Do not, I repeat do not think you can take a short cut and cut it with any kind of band saw. I tried it years ago before internet was popular and I didn't have a clue where to find out how to work it. I thought I'd get it done quicker.

If you're lucky enough to get it to hold up during the cutting (slim chance, but), it will just "crack/break/chip/whatever" when you "drill/sand/shape/file/whatever". I ruined a small piece ($50) and learned a lesson the hard way. As stated above, jewelers saw, fine hacksaw, files and sandpaper, then the buffing suggestions. The tedious handwork is well worth the effort.

I just thought I'd show everybody proof that I'm an idiot and take all doubts away!

Ickie
 
bladsmth said:
As said, MOP is not poisonous, but is bad to breath the dust.
Saw it with a jewelers saw or fine hacksaw. Shape it with files, sand paper, a grinder, etc. It polishes easily with white rouge or no-scratch pink polish. It is soft so go slow and leave a little to remove in the finer steps and polishing. I work a lot of MOP, it is no problem, excepting the powdery dust. A good filter mask and a vacuum ( to clean up after you are done) take care of that.
Stacy
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the good tips ! I am a retired jeweler but has never worked with MOP. I just finished cutting one side and came out fine(jewelers saw) I will be shaping it soon!I have to learn how to polish as I worked for a large jewelry place which had their own polishing room. I am making it for a small Eggerling damascus neck knife.
 
I've used MOP on several knives. One thing I've found for drilling is, if you use the tang as a template, i.e. spot drilling from the back of the scale and having the drill bit break through on the show side. Make sure you back the mop up with something harder than wood, like aluminum. This will help prevent chipping out around the show side exit hole. Wood works if you're very careful but I prefer an aluminum backing plate.Clamp firmly onto the backing plate. That way the drill moves smoothly from the mop through to the aluminum without chipping. You can protect the mop from the clamp pad with a piece of leather. This has worked pretty good for me. That was the toughest part of figuring out how to work with mop for me, drilling without chipping. And as was mentioned, sharp drills are a must.
 
I am doing a very small neck knife witha 2 1/8 inch blade and almost 3 inch handle.The damascus is so great that I hate to cover the whole handle and I am just covering the middle part of the handle for some grip and still show the beauty of the damascus. I plan to just use some kind of epoxy or glue( I did another thread on this)and no pins. Right now I am currently leaning on the GOOP where you apply both sides with goop and clamp together. They claim that the it will stay together forever(wow). What do you think ??
 
When drilling with a #60-#65 bit, MOP has no problem with chipping. Place it on a solid hardwood base and drill from the show side. After mounting the scales and pins ,and allowing the resin to cure, sand and file the wire pins along with the MOP. A quick buff and you are done.
BTW, MOP works quite well with cratex wheels.
Stacy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top