Matt
Well-Known Member
Hi there, this is sort of a continuation of my John Barber thread, but I will share some other homegrown restoration tips as they go along.
Why guerilla? Well, I have no other tools than Dremel, some cutting/sanding/buffing wheels, a file, sanding papers, pastes and that would be all. Not much like serious restorers' workshops (while we're on it, I don't have any of that kind, either ).
The thing I found out recently, when I was unpinning a razor, is to apply a layer, or two, of masking tape on a scale, before you do the pin sanding. Although the pictures will show a razor with a tube fit into a pivot hole (an application as much useful), the idea is identical. You just stick masking tape on your work area and file through it. When sanding down the pin, it's preferable to use two layers, so that when you go through the first one, it's a warning sign that you should be extra careful not to ruin the scale below.
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Next there is work in progress with the John Barber. As I was mentioning earlier, I decided to upgrade (or pimp up, thank you, Pithor ) a pair of scales by adding white liners to it and then adding a dark wedge. The liners were glued with epoxy to the scales, than I had a hard time cutting them down to the shape of the scales. The thing was twofold: one, the liner material is pretty hard by itself (I don't actually know what this is, I'd describe it by feel and smell as some kind of stabilized paper, it definitely smelled like cellulose when it was burning during cutting - both this and the wedge provided by our Ray - thank you again), two - excess epoxy that came out wasn't making it any easier - quite the opposite, actually. I also sanded the scales a little, 220/500/1200/2000 progression and polished them. Now there's a (again, I bet it's some horn, judging by the smell) wedge glued in temporarily (CA), hole drilled through, and it needs proper gluing with epoxy.
If I don't screw this up, this might end up looking pretty good. :thumbup: I'll definitely will need to work some more on this blade, now the scales will be too flashy for it.
[c]
[/c]
regards,
Matt
Why guerilla? Well, I have no other tools than Dremel, some cutting/sanding/buffing wheels, a file, sanding papers, pastes and that would be all. Not much like serious restorers' workshops (while we're on it, I don't have any of that kind, either ).
The thing I found out recently, when I was unpinning a razor, is to apply a layer, or two, of masking tape on a scale, before you do the pin sanding. Although the pictures will show a razor with a tube fit into a pivot hole (an application as much useful), the idea is identical. You just stick masking tape on your work area and file through it. When sanding down the pin, it's preferable to use two layers, so that when you go through the first one, it's a warning sign that you should be extra careful not to ruin the scale below.
[c]
Next there is work in progress with the John Barber. As I was mentioning earlier, I decided to upgrade (or pimp up, thank you, Pithor ) a pair of scales by adding white liners to it and then adding a dark wedge. The liners were glued with epoxy to the scales, than I had a hard time cutting them down to the shape of the scales. The thing was twofold: one, the liner material is pretty hard by itself (I don't actually know what this is, I'd describe it by feel and smell as some kind of stabilized paper, it definitely smelled like cellulose when it was burning during cutting - both this and the wedge provided by our Ray - thank you again), two - excess epoxy that came out wasn't making it any easier - quite the opposite, actually. I also sanded the scales a little, 220/500/1200/2000 progression and polished them. Now there's a (again, I bet it's some horn, judging by the smell) wedge glued in temporarily (CA), hole drilled through, and it needs proper gluing with epoxy.
If I don't screw this up, this might end up looking pretty good. :thumbup: I'll definitely will need to work some more on this blade, now the scales will be too flashy for it.
[c]
regards,
Matt