What material is easy to work with to make scales/inlaysfor the first time?

BloodyDonnie

BloodyDonnie

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I want to make some carbon fiber inlays for a Sebenza 31 I just ordered, carbon fiber inlays are not yet available for the 31.

But I have never made scales before. I want to use marbled CF, but I've read that CF is tricky to use.

The only tool I have to make the inlays are a dremel style rotary tool and some sandpaper. I will be cutting the shape out with the cut off wheels and grinding with the grinder wheels.

Would CF be too difficult to work with given that I've never made inlays or scales before and my also with my limited tools?

And if so, what material would you recommend that will be easier to work with?
 
Any material that's "easy" to work with is going to be less durable in use. Wood would be the plan A) stuff but good stabilized stuff is expensive.

CF needs special PPE to grind and process so make sure you read up on that. Some woods also require PPE to avoid inhaling dust.
 
BloodyDonnie said:
I want to make some carbon fiber inlays for a Sebenza 31 I just ordered, carbon fiber inlays are not yet available for the 31.

But I have never made scales before. I want to use marbled CF, but I've read that CF is tricky to use.

The only tool I have to make the inlays are a dremel style rotary tool and some sandpaper. I will be cutting the shape out with the cut off wheels and grinding with the grinder wheels.

Would CF be too difficult to work with given that I've never made inlays or scales before and my also with my limited tools?

And if so, what material would you recommend that will be easier to work with?
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As mentioned CF is nasty stuff, it grinds into little fish hooks that if the get into your lungs, you can’t get out:eek:. Start with a wood and a mask is still a good idea if you plan on working it much ..
 
I would say you can do the cf BUT

do a practice run on some basic wood first, so you can avoid the mistakes you'll make then, when you do the c.f.

Do the cf outside and wearing a mask

C.f. takes a lot of sanding to look good and is easy to make look bad. Less dremel, more files and sandpaper
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
As mentioned CF is nasty stuff, it grinds into little fish hooks that if the get into your lungs, you can’t get out:eek:. Start with a wood and a mask is still a good idea if you plan on working it much ..
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Yea I read a lot about how nasty CF is, definitely gonna cover up and get a respirator or something.

I was also thinking to do maybe G10 or micarta instead, as it seems like it will be easier than CF, do you know if micarta or g10 is indeed easier to work with than CF?
 
Danke42 said:
CF needs special PPE to grind and process so make sure you read up on that. Some woods also require PPE to avoid inhaling dust.
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the typical p100 filters will work for carbon fiber. ALL dust is very bad to inhale. ken h, i am going to guess they are both just as bad. your body/lungs cannot break them down. i dont like CF because it takes more work because its denser and harder, uses more sandpaper, and ruins my bandsaw blade lol.
 
John, I do fully agree all dust is bad, and fiberglass dust is MUCH worse than it's rated in industry. I've got mild COPD now, perhaps due to all the fiberglass grinding I did on boats over the years when I was young, dumb and full of..... Well, dumb for sure to be grinding fiberglass with no respirator.
 
Try a wood that's not that hard and has fine, tight grain. I used traditional curly birch for the first time and it was tight and pleasant. Easy to cut with the grain and simply sanding to 400 grit already makes it smooth and shiny. Ultimately very easy to work with not much gear, cheap, not toxic (although you want PPE) and durable enough in real life scenarios.
 
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