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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: Jack Guard on February 06, 2008, 05:17:00 PM

Title: Flattening Handle Scales
Post by: Jack Guard on February 06, 2008, 05:17:00 PM
Hey  Guys, i am in the middle of making a knife from a circular saw blade.  I have cut the blank out of the saw blade, shaped the blade, drilled holes for the pins, and sanded a bit of a edge on the blade.  

I have identified some wood for handle scales and split it on a band saw.  the problem is that i am not sure how to get the scales perfectly flat to attach to the knife blank.  i dont have a lot of power tools, ok, that should have read, i dont have any, i do most of my work by hand or use a friends shop when available.  

Do you guys have any advice.  Thanks in advance, Jack
Title: Re: Flattening Handle Scales
Post by: drewsbow on February 06, 2008, 07:10:00 PM
well you could use a sanding block or put sandpaper on a piece of glass and sand the scales back and forth :0)
Title: Re: Flattening Handle Scales
Post by: Lin Rhea on February 06, 2008, 07:49:00 PM
I agree with drewsbows. A scrap piece of glass or Granite and some sandpaper will do it. A figure 8 motion is what most guys use. If the sandpaper slides around, you can use some spray adhesive on it. Apply even pressure.
   Show some pictures please.   Lin
Title: Re: Flattening Handle Scales
Post by: OconeeDan on February 06, 2008, 09:10:00 PM
Another tip if you don't have a belt sander...
buy a sanding belt , say about a 3" wide x whatever length they come in.  Cut a 1x4 board so that it is a snug fit in the sanding belt.  Lay it on your bench and you can rub the scales on it.  And you have 2 sides to work with. Then you can finish with sandpaper on glass as Lin suggested.  
I am suggesing you start with a course belt to flatten it out quick, then go to finer on glass/slate to finish with.
That sanding belt tool I mentioned, comes in handy for a lot of other things than knives.
Dan