Tapered Tang by Hand?

[The Gopher]

Is there a "best way" to taper a tang by hand? I have never done it and don't have a surface grinder or anything, just files and determination! I was just wondering if there are any helpful hints to get started? thanks, Dan

 

[james terrio]

Drill all your holes first. Mark your centerline the same as you would for a blade edge, except all the way around the tang to serve as a guide, and get to work Try to keep the plane of the "bevel" parallel/square to the center of the blade.

Draw-filing will be very helpful in keeping the tang "bevels" straight and flat. Use a surface plate, or nice flat piece of glass or even steel to check for flatness and lap the tang.

 

[SBuzek]

Drill all your holes first. Mark your centerline the same as you would for a blade edge, except all the way around the tang to serve as a guide, and get to work Try to keep the plane of the "bevel" parallel/square to the center of the blade.

Draw-filing will be very helpful in keeping the tang "bevels" straight and flat. Use a surface plate, or nice flat piece of glass or even steel to check for flatness and lap the tang.

James pretty much nailed it.

 

[Rick Marchand]

The only thing I would add is to make a sanding block about a 1/2" wide to "hollow" out the tang a bit. Even just a few thou will make laying the scales much easier and preserve some of the adhesive should you clamp too tight.