Removing epoxied scales

B

Boriqua

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
655
I have some beautiful Ironwood in my exhibits shop that I bought for another project. I have a knife with Micarta scales that have been epoxied in place that I want to replace with wooden ones. Is there any solvent that I can use to loosen the epoxy. Is there anything short of Grinding them off (which Im not going to even attempt)that I can do to make the swap from Micarta to My own scales.
Thanks for any help


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Alex

My Knife Page
 
Hey,

I have had that problem myself, being that the material you want to take off is micarta, i would use a heat gun and heat the scales up with it which in turn will loosen the glu bond underneath, heat it up then use light tap`s with a mallet after any pins or screws attaching the handle have been removed. My .02

Regards,Allen
 
Howdy There...!
First question is, do you want to save the slabs that are on there now. If not take the blade to a bandsaw and make cuts from the slab to the tang at several points along the slab. The next thing that you would need to do is take a cold chisel and break the blocks off the tang, then cut the pins loose with a hacksaw or bandsaw.
You can also use a heat source to heat the expoxy enough to make it release. Good Luck...!
"Possum"

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Thomas Clegg
 
Alex, if the scales have pins that can be driven out with a pin punch, then you can either heat up the epoxy as recommended above or shear the scales off by driving something sharp (i.e. old chisel) between the scales and the tang. If you decide to shear them off, pick a spot on the tang that can be reground a little should you mark it when cutting in.
 
the best and carefullest way is to grind the existing scales off to within 1/16" or so, more if this makes you uncomfortable, and then heat the remaining up with a propane torch until you see the scales release, pry it off with a screw driver....etc.
 
Or you could just send it to me and I'd take care of it for you, along with applying the new scales.
smile.gif


Nick
 
Epoxy softens with heat. Quick-dry epoxy softens at the lowest temperature and slow-curing epoxy that requires heat to cure it tolerates the most heat. Somewhere between boiling water and oven temperature your epoxy will be reduced to the strength of library paste and you can get things apart pretty easy. I would use a heat gun or a propane torch on the slabs and then tap a sharp putty knife between the slabs and the metal.

Alternately you could soak the whole thing in Xylene (carburetor cleaner) for a couple days then use the putty knife.
 
200-225 deg.,oven leave in about 1/2-1hour,then just pry the scales off.Just be careful of micarta fumes.Hope this helps.

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MIKE
 
According to the late Bob E., the easiest and safest way was to immerse the handle in boiling water until the epoxy softened (somewhere below 300F).
 
Thanks everyone for the great replies !!

Being completley ignorant of the heat treat voodoo magic I will ask what may be a real dumb question. No laughing please. Will putting the handle in boiling water generate enough heat to mess up the heat treat ?

Ok go ahead and laugh
smile.gif


Im so excited about the project. Ill make sure to take before and afters.


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Alex

My Knife Page
 
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