warped folder slabs - mammoth ivory, bone, etc.

S

Shotgunone

Joined
Oct 1, 2000
Messages
244
I'm having a problem working with these materials. I know getting them hot while grinding will cause them to warp but how do you do it and not get them hot. I am trying to thin the material down to 1/8 inch or so for my handles.

I have ground them down, left them for a day, and hand sanded the bow out of them. But they continue to warp! And even epoxing them to the liners don't help it just warps the linners.

Is there a secret to getting this material thin and flat.



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Tony Huffman
thuffman@texinet.net
Sporting Clays & Shotguns ... my other bad habit!
 
When working with natural materials, make sure they are stable...Store them indoors in a dry place for a while...(Six months or more?)

Next...-no heat-! It will warp your material everytime...

If you want to grind, slow down the grinder and use fresh belts...Try to work on more than one piece at a time...Grind a little, then set it down and work on another piece...

A good idea is to use files and rasps...No heat and leaves a better finish than grinding belts...

Did I mention -no heat-?
smile.gif


Running Dog

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Running Dog Knife Company
http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
runningdog@dog.com
mmurphy@premier1.net
 
I saw an article somewhere recently where the maker was taking curved pieces of horn and flatening them. Using a slab of steel for a base, he put slight pressure on the high point of the bow with a C clamp and placed the rig in a 200 degree oven, tightening the clamp a bit every few minutes. He added clamps to either side of the first when the horn slab was finally worked all the way down. The idea was to slowly work the piece down and let it cool when it was completely flat. Haven't tried this but it seemed reasonable to me. Hope this makes sense.

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Dave Larsen
--
The greatest prayer is patience
-Buddha
 
Cow horn (not antler) can be sliced in half, steamed and pressed flat...

This was a common way to produce scales and handles...It can be split into thin sheets and molded into many items...Common before the invention of bakelight (sp?) and then plastics...

I don't think this works with antler or ivory...

Running Dog

------------------
Running Dog Knife Company
http://www.runningdogknife.bigstep.com
runningdog@dog.com
mmurphy@premier1.net
 
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