My first attempt at making stag handle scales.

[ron_m80]

These things have proven to be very time consuming. There are alot of angles and set-up time to make it line up well. Here is my first try.

 

[fast14riot]

Very nicely done! I know exactly what your talking about, on a slipjoint I'm doing I had to use pieces about 2x the size of the entire scale to get a good fit! Although I am using pieces I bought at the flea market, a ziplock bag full for $35.

I'm just scared to pin them and ruin all the work I have done already!

-Xander

 

[Mike Fennessy]

Wow, those look great! It's always amazing to me how thin you have to get them so that you don't have to grind off the top part.

 

[ron_m80]

Yes, they are proving to be alot of work. Sand and file, then check the fit, and repeat another 85-100 times. The most time consuming has been to sand them down to size and check the fit. I didn't have anything that would chuck the 1/16th drill bit for the pins, so I had to put it in my tap wrench to drill by hand. Finding two sides on a section/ piece of stag that match close enough to cut them out from the whole piece and start shaping them was no easy decision either. I am pretty happy with them so far. I have one more end to sand down a little bit more and then I will have to commit to pinning them down. I am glad that the back side of the pins are easy enough to drill out.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

As you have discovered, stag has to be worked from the rear. Good job.

Stag is pretty tough stuff. Pinning should be easy-just use a very small hammer. Peen the liner side first, set it firmly, then file the outside to about 1/16" if you are going to leave the rivet heads raised.

 

[ron_m80]

As you have discovered, stag has to be worked from the rear. Good job.

Stag is pretty tough stuff. Pinning should be easy-just use a very small hammer. Peen the liner side first, set it firmly, then file the outside to about 1/16" if you are going to leave the rivet heads raised.

Thank you BIll.

I am green at doming the pins, and I have a feeling extra caution is called for due to the stags unique surface. I have a spinner bit to get rid of excessive doming. The irregularity in the Stag looks like a real challenge too.

 

[ron_m80]

Well I am happy with the way the stag I cut out looked near finished.

I need alot of work on the assembly, and fit and finish. I managed to keep it hand fit, I liked working with the stag.