Rescaling my Wade & Butcher

I have been thinking about doing this for a while now. Today, I took the scales off my Wade & Butcher to get ready new scales. I cut a 1/8 inch thick piece off of some Pau Ferro (AKA Brazilian Iron Wood) that I had laying around. I took pictures until I realized I didn't have the memory card in the camera. I've done that before. Oh well.

Anyhow, this is my first attempt at this, so bear with me.

I removed these scales and used them as a pattern. I glued two pieces of the Pau Ferro together with a pice of paper between them. I traced the the scales on the Pau Ferro.


This is where the lost pictures should be. Sorry about that.

Next, I cut it out using my band saw.



I drilled the holes.


Next, I used my drum sander to get it down to the line and then sandpaper to shape the scales.


I made a wedge and glued it in and set it aside to dry. Next, I will sand the wedge flush with the scales. More to come.

 

Looking Good Jim. Can't wait to see them finished.

 

Nicely done Jim. Please post your progress.

 

Great fun eh Jim? What finish are you going with?

 

Nice work Jim.

 

See, Jim (@Jayaruh ), I told you, you could do it. It's coming along great. J.R.Scale#1. Let me know when you are taking orders, I'll be one of the first to order.

 

We shall see. I don't know if I will be taking any orders.

 

Looking good!

 

You did sand the inside of the scales, right? (I know there have been a few times I've missed the obvious after I already used the glue)

 

Looking good!

 

Nice Job.

 

Well, things were going so good. Then ...


While peening the henge, I must have been a bit aggressive because I split the end of the scale. Back to the drawing board...

 

Awww dang. Take a second swing.

 

Jim,...it happens. Done this a number of times myself.
I learned (through trial & error) that its better to do a 100 light taps when peening a hinge than 25-50 hard strokes. The process takes a little longer— but not as long as starting over with the scales.

 

Yeah, and next time I am going to pay more attention to grain.

 

I guess this isn't the time when getting a bigger hammer will work better??

 

Bummer. The scales were looking nice.

 

4oz jewelers is usually what's recomended but most don't adhere to that. Mine is a heavier antique which I ground the nose right to what I'm comfortable with for weight and shape. Holding closer to mid handle will lighten the taps and lessen the chance of sliding off the target as well. That can wreck a nice set of scales as well.
Hard hits can also mushroom and bend the inner pin causing issues when opening and closing.