Need advise on working micarta

W

WBaaijen

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Jan 10, 2011
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47
Ive made 7 knives so far, all with wooden handels. Reading here and there I came across micarta read into it and well, now ive got my first attempt at micarta in the vise hardening. My questions are the following, is there much of a difference as compared to working wood? are there any tips you could give me? can I sand it the same way as I do with wood? or anything else that comes to mind about working micarta.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Wouter
 
The biggest thing is to wear a respirator. Even more than most woods, micarta produces a lot of very fine dust when ground and sanded.

You can cut, drill, grind and sand it just like hardwood. In fact you can sand it to as fine a finish as you like and buff to a high polish.

Micarta's so popular because it's consistant, workable and durable. Try it, you'll like it.
 
Hi Wouter,

Aside from protecting your lungs as James has already pointed out, the only thing I could add would be careful of using too fast of a belt speed if you're using a belt grinder. It'll definitely scorch/burn if it gets too hot.

What I do after mounting the scales is rough them out with an old 36 grit belt, contour them with a 120 grit belt and then hand sand them to 400 grit to arrive at the final finish I'm looking for. This all depends on what kind of final finish you're after.

Just remember, you can always take off more, but you'll have a really hard time putting it back on.:D

Taylor
 
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I usually rough my scales out with a pretty sharp belt, a big grit like 36 or 50. A sharp, rough belt will rip into micarta really well at a moderate speed, and no worry about burning. I do this with handle styles I am confident with, not anything experimental. It does save time. After rough shaping, I go to 220 and 400, then back to 280 by hand through 600. Then I buff with white compound. Works well on all micartas I've tried, though white in particular is finicky to hand sand perfectly clean.

I find that slack belting will only get me so far, the important blending is accomplished by hand at the 280 step. Although not as bad as wood will, micarta does sand lower then your fasteners/bolsters if you are not careful to use a firm backing for your paper over these areas.
 
I love working with micarta. Like the other guys said, micarta is tough, consistent, easy to work, and looks great. I use a mix of the methods mentioned above. I usually do rough shaping with a semi worn 60 grit zirc belt, but like Salem said, I would only do that with handles your familiar with because it can cut quick! Personally I like to use my small wheel attachment with a 3/4 inch wheel for most of my handle shaping. I hold the knife vertical and at an angle to the wheel and run it up and down until I have the nice rounded shape I'm looking for. Then I blend in the shape with 100 grit wet/dry paper, then 150, 280, 400, 600, and 800. Sometimes I stop at 400 depending on what type of look I'm going for and sometimes I'll buff with green compound after 800 if a customer wants some shine.

Here is one I worked on tonight that's only been taken to 150 so far. Sometimes even this finish can be really attractive. It all depends on my mood I guess. Have fun with it!

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Thankyou all for the great advise. My only problem now is that ive had the micarta in the vise for over 20 hours and it still isnt hard... I used the dose specified on the catalizer but even so. A little bit I had left over got some sun this morning is now hard I moved it over to a warmer place hoping my first attempt at making micarta isnt too big a failure. I'll have to be patient.
 
I don't understand the fascination with home made Mycarta, when real Micarta is readily available.
-Except for the custom colors, of course.
 
His location is Costa Rica, so it might be prohibitively expensive to import? Just a guess.
 
Exactly right! Living down here Im not sure if Im the only Costarican that knows about it, it certainly feels that way. I also enjoy making things myself, thats why I also make knives and dont just buy them. Besides I dont have to pay for the micarta plus the import and I should get it done faster than the time it takes to get shipped from the US to CR.
 
It also smells like ass when you grind it. Reminds of of someone laying up cheap bass boats.;)
 
Wouter, my dad lives in Sarchi, Costa Rica. When times are better, I like to take a trip or two there each year. If you're around next time I go down, I'll message you and see if you want me to bring you anything, micarta perhaps.

Every get over to Mal Pais? I love that town. Great surfing.
 
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