Pretty fun challenge... a friend asked if I could do a set of scales to match his barber’s chair... this peaked my interest. After explaining how slow I am, and that I really have never tried to do something that was someone else’s vision, he said his barber only had one request - she wanted “electric purple.” Now it was getting interesting... even more so when I saw the pic. A 1920’s Koken barber chair. They pulled some cool patents on chairs and how could I not give this a try. First I had to figure out how to get close to that color. I tried quite a few combinations of metallic powder and food coloring. I was feeling pretty good with that one on the bottom right... Pearl White and Turquoise powder mixed with Grape Violet and Royal Blue food coloring. This is not quite traditional , so went with a Japanese blade with a cool gold design in the blade face. Rot Punkt also seems to match the theme. Cast of characters: This will be a display, so not worrying about balance and proportion with the scales... just trying to make it “electric.” A little wider and a wedge end that is out there. Instead of all purple, thought a transition from white would set it off... and the mold is poured. This will be interesting to see just how close I get to that chair. Now I wait for it to set up... and what did I do with my other projects?!???? Have fun. Tom
Thank you Gary. Thank you Scott. I hope she will like it. Funny story about the green scales... and why I haven’t posted progress. I used those sockets to hold down the wood, but fell asleep before taking them off. I am struggling detaching them... this resin is pretty tough stuff.
Thank you guys... I am pretty interested myself to see how this one comes out. I need to do that chair justice.
Thank you. As the scales are setting up, I think the color stayed pretty true. Won’t know exactly what I have until I finish sanding, but I’m liking it so far.
Next phase... shaping and prepping for a super glue finish. Coping saw in hand, I released the scale halves from the mold. I left a little for a 60 grit sanding drum on a dremel to clean up. Hopefully I can bring that color back... but have to make it ugly before it becomes pretty again. Used the dremel to thin it down from the backside, then 180 grit paper on top of my DMT325 to flatten. Then I put the dremel away and spent quite a bit of time hand sanding with 180 and 400. I did take it to 800 prior to the first coat of thin super glue. I really think the color will come nicely back and allow the wood grain to pop. I put that swirl in after the mold had set for 6 hours... seems to have given me the effect I was after. Enjoy your projects. tom
The scales are pretty much done. 5 coats of thin super glue followed with 800/1500/2000 grit sanding. Cut it with some Turtle Wax rubbing compound, and then hit it with Flitz and Renn Wax. The use of Royal Blue food coloring and the turquoise metallic powder does some interesting things depending on the light. Here it is in the shade... Then a little more straight on. It is still purple (less so in the photo) but definitely see the blue. Now, throw some sunshine on it and the purple begins to pop. I am hoping it meets her definition of “Electric purple.” Spent way too much time on these so going to take a little time before starting the wedge. Thinking that I have some of the White from the top... may sandwich that in thin brass... or maybe bone... not sure. Enjoy your projects. Tom