My Scale split :(

[grindemup]

Drill died just as it broke through, thought i would just turn it by hand, then it split.

also, that stainless tube is not quite 1/4 inch

 

[Patrickknives]

Ouch, I hate when that happens.

 

[grindemup]

It got worse, i cut the wrong hole size for my rivit. now i need new rivits. and my new bit broke doing it.

 

[gredpe3]

Rookie mistakes,keep on truckin.Things like this will happen early on in your new journey.Learn from them and rock on.The old saying is [if you dont ever mess up,you dont ever do anything]
Eddie

 

[grindemup]

yea. accept, i can buy new scales, the nicks i put in the spin from vice grips, cannot be undone..

facepalms

 

[AVigil]

It is good to drill a scrap piece of wood and make sure everything fits the way it is suppose to, then do it on the good stuff.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

grindemup:

You clearly have the newbie bug of wanting to get moving too fast. Slow down and spend some time thinking things through and trying things out on scrap before doing them on a blade or handle scale. You have several issues I have noticed in the threads you posted on this build. Posting plans and drawings as well as asking advice BEFORE you do the process is a good thing, as it is easy to change plans, but hard to un-grind metal or wood.

For drilling a hole in a scale, try and start from the outside, and place a backing block of wood under the scale to prevent tearout. Drilling with a cordless drill is a poor method, but if it is all you have, make sure the batter is fully charged and you have a SHARP bit tightly chucked.
Also, it takes a slightly larger drill bit than the pin/tube size. A .250" tube needs about a .260" hole. As suggested, test it out on some scrap to make sure the fit is right first.