Working giraffe bone

H

h2ostx

Joined
Sep 3, 2004
Messages
154
This is the first time I have worked on a knife with some giraffe bone. I need to thin it down to get it to somewhat match the bolster thickness. I'm planning to work it from the backside.

My question is, how does most everyone trim the thickness down? What tools and methods?

And how do you trim it to match the contours of the bolsters. If trimming it from the topside, does that not effect the look or colors? (I know......, some of you would think that would help!:D )

Thanks for your time.

Kelly
 
Basicly I shape it with the belt grinder. Use sharp belts, I get the basic thickness by removing material from the back side then grind to shape. Just make sure you use fresh sharp belts or it will burn. And slow down on the finner belts. I normaly don't go finner than 120 grit on bone, then to hand sanding to 600 grit and buff.
 
Thanks for the info, Will.

I'll give it a try with an 80 grit belt, ten I'll finish with the disc sander.
I've never trimmed any before, so it will be a learning experience for me.

Thanks,

Kelly
 
Working from the back to reduce thickness will maintain the color. I have used disc sander and last time I used my milling machine. It gave me 2 scales very close in thickness. As far as matching the bolsters, Are you dovetailing or shaping in some other way. if you are dovetailing then I would suggest making or buying a dovetail jig. This will enable you to grind or file to the exact angle on both the bolsters and scales. Good luck.

Chuck
 
Thanks Chuck,

I am planning to dovetail the bolsters. I have a table on the disc sander, so I can set the angle.

I may have to give the mill a try, as this will not heat up the bone too much. Never milled bone material before......

Should it be cut running the endmill fast or slow?

Kelly
 
Milling is easy. I used a new sharp endmill 1/2 inch i think, ran the millpretty fast. If you get any burning turn it down. I made a fixture at 30 degrees for my mill. Just put in the pieces and mill them off. The nice thing about a fixture is you can do it over and over and still have exactly the same angle. The table on you disc will have to be set and left until you get done. Then if something goes wrong "like it never does" then you may need to match the ange. It can be done but it is tough. For the effort my dovetail jig makes my life so much easier.

Chuck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top