Working with Micarta Question.

Bigfattyt

Bigfattyt

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Jun 23, 2007
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I have a question about working micarta. Can it be done with nice sharp files and sand paper (I have files for metal and wood working)? I have no power tools, except for a drill. Just wondering if I should grab (or make some micarta) or if I should make the scales for my first knife out of an easier working material. I can go visit my dad and use some of his power tools if it ends up being necessary.

If I choose micarta, which is the easiest to work? Paper, linen, canvas, G-10 (I would think that paper would work the easiest)?

Thanks.
 
ive been working with electrical linen micarta, it files nicer than wood does. cuts well with a coping saw or hacksaw. So nice to work with.
 
Good to know. I though I heard some where that without power sanders it was super hard to shape.
 
You should be able to work micarta similar to wood. If you want to try G10, it's a bit harder. Files and sandpaper should be OK. Micarta and G10 dust is VERY BAD FOR YOU!!
Wear a respirator, not a dust mask. I'm not kidding.

Have fun!
 
Try micarta, you'll like it. I find I like working with it better than with the various woods I've tried so far. It does seem to produce a finer dust that gets everywhere, and as mentioned WEAR A RESPIRATOR, but it works great.

I don't like to highly polish my canvas micarta. I like the grippiness if you leave it just a bit rough.

Charlie
 
I have a fitted rubber respirator with cartridges, so no worries about that.

it must have been some other material that needed power tools to work it.
 
Bigfattyt said:
I have a question about working micarta. Can it be done with nice sharp files and sand paper (I have files for metal and wood working)? I have no power tools, except for a drill. Just wondering if I should grab (or make some micarta) or if I should make the scales for my first knife out of an easier working material. I can go visit my dad and use some of his power tools if it ends up being necessary.

If I choose micarta, which is the easiest to work? Paper, linen, canvas, G-10 (I would think that paper would work the easiest)?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


You placed them in the exact order of difficulty to work in my experience. With power tools there is little difference except of the G-10, with hand tools you might notice a little difference. You should have no difficulty working these materials with hand tools.
Thanks,
Del
 
When working with micarta, wear a respirator and do it in a VERY Well ventilated area. Don't be coo-coo and filing on that stuff in a garage with the door closed or anything like that! Has an almost abnoxious smell when it's filed and it becomes very powdery when filed and sanded. Paper and Linen micarta seem to file and sand just the same for me. Just use a file with some teeth to get it going.
 
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