Thread: Resins in the UK

Hello all,

I'm wanting to have a go at making my own scales for a couple of blades that I have picked up cheaply. The blades need some work but that's another story! So, I'm in the UK (Manchester) and would like to know which resin product to buy and where to buy it. I've been in Halfords and a couple of local motor stores and they stock a resin called "Davids Fastglass". When I've asked about this product I've been told that it has a reddish colour and is also opaque. For those reasons I didn't buy it. What should I but then?

Thanks in advance

Pete

I'd go to a hardware store. Not a halfords, but a decent store where professional carpenters / ironworkers / ... buy their stuff.
Or even a properly equipped DIY store. They should have a wide range of products from 'bison' or similar brand, with different types of epoxy and resin based products.

What is the reason it has to be resin?

Because it has to be doesn't it, or am I missing something? I say that cos that's what all the guys on the YouTube vids call it. It's fibreglass or epoxy resin isn't it?

Do you mean solid sheet material, or liquid resin? I thought you meant liquid.

You don't need special materials for making scales.
I usually use tropical hardwood. I've used bone as well.
I've seen people use micarta, fibreglass, poured resin, ivory, bone, wood, aluminium, even printed circuit boards or other material.

You can make scales out of practically anything, and many people here do.
Just be sure to wear a breathing mask or respirator if you start sanding and sawing, because with some materials, the dust is quite bad for your health.

Thanks Bruno, good advice. I go a bit hung up on the thought of making my own micarta for the scales but maybe I'm complicating the issue. The thought of some nice dark wood scales really appeals to me. If I do go down that route, what do I need to do to the wood to protect it. Would it be a case of applying a coat of beeswax or is there a product out there that better suited to it? I'm going to post this on the forum too as a question to get other opinions. Thanks again, you've just sent me in a whole new direction!

Pete