Questions (How to) on Jeweling/machine turning and white/Ivory Micarta -Please Help-

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mmtmatrix

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May 15, 2000
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Hello Guys, I have a few questions that I would love some help on, I am thinking about doing some customizing on a knife and could use any help that is provided.

First off, what is the difference between Jeweled and Machine Turned metal (like liners and bolsters for example)?

How do you Jewel or Machine something, what tools/process do I need?

Can either of these process be applied to both steel and titanium?


Also my second set of questions is regarding White/Ivory Micarta. I believe that the only Micarta in this color is paper (based) , is that correct?

Where would one get a small piece of this color Micarta? I really don't need a ton of it (only need to be about 1/4 in. or more thick) and don't want a huge hassle or to waste a lot, is there any where that I can get a small piece at a low price?

Also what do you use to work the Micarta? Can use just use, grinders and sandpaper to shape/finish it?

Thanks for all the help guys -- I really appreciate it!!!
mmtmatrix
 
Jeweling or engine turning can be done with a drill press, a wooden dowel of the desired diameter, and some valve grinding or lapping compound. Just a matter of indexing the workpiece an equal distance for each time you bring the dowel in contact with the metal surface (works on any metal). You can also use a Cratex cylinder, and there are other methods as well.

White (paper) micarta is nasty. The stuff available today shrinks and swells, making pins either proud of the surface or indented. It catches buffing compound and shows ugly black specks in the open pores -unless you want to go to a *whole* lot of trouble using super glue to fill those voids before buffing. You'd be better advised to use plain white cow bone.
 
I've also heard of a pencil, chucked eraser down, in a drill press for jeweling. Sheffield has white linen micarta. It seems to burn easily on the grinder though, slow speed, sharp belt I guess.
 
How about white corian? I have tons of it and will never use it. Email me if you want a chunk. I'll be gone the rest of the week....heading off to the folder-in at Tom Anderson's!
 
Thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate it!!! I have a few more questions though.

So is Jeweling and Machine turning the same thing?

What is valve grinding or lapping compound and where would I get some?

Also, what is Cratex cylinder?

What type of finish do I need to have on the surface before I do this process?


Also, is there anything good to be said about White/Ivory Micarta? Is there any way to get around these things or special materials process that would work better? Are some Micarts better than others? I really like the look of it...

Thanks for all the help so far.
mmtmatrix
 
Valve lapping compound comes in a tube (like toothpaste) from auto supply stores. Cratex is kind of like an eraser with abrasives of various fineness imbedded in it. I can be mounted in a foredom tool or drill chuck, and it comes in many shapes and sizes, including long eraser like chunks for hand polishing. Jewelry or knife supply stores have cratex. For jeweling try the pencil trick with a little toothpaste on a piece of scrap metal, and see what happens (I'm serious, though I haven't tried it--don't experiment on a new Emerson).
If you are going for an ivory look, there is a false ivory available, though I haven't tried it. Linen micarta in black or maroon looks nice, it's the white that looks like it might be hard to keep clean.
 
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