Thread: Wooden scales and their treatment?

Hello folks,

I've had a go at making my own micarta and to be honest, it's a lot of fannying about so I'm going to change direction and maybe come back to it at a later date. Now I'm thinking of using wood to make some scales. The question I want to ask is "What do I need to do to the wood to protect it?" And is there a type of wood that is better suited to this. I would guess that tropical hardwoods would be very suitable and resistant to the ingress of moisture. Also, where can I buy small pieces of wood for making scales or is it a case of buying big pieces and swallowing the cost. Any advice on any aspect of this subject would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Pete

Pete,

There are a number of threads around the traps about timber and the various finishes.

I would that many timbers would fit the bill. Tung Oil and CA finish (see link) are popular and work really well.

Have a search through some of Glen's (gssixgun) restores, his work is beautiful and he uses a range of timbers and finishes.

CA-Super Glue, Finishing Hints and Tips

Wood for scale


As to where you might pick some timber up in the UK I can't help.

Hopefully some of the timber experts and restore gurus will chime in here.




Stu

With wood, there are a couple of things to consider.
Hardwoods are best, for they are usually better resistant to moisture.
Leave the wood to rest a couple of weeks in your environment before working it.
Difference in humidity might cause wood to warp slightly if you work it immediately upon receiving.
Wear breathing masks or respirators. Wood dust may be toxic or irritating to your airways or eyes.

After shaping the scales, you can either treat them with some sort of wax (I use antiques wax) or seal them with CA.
CA has the advantage that it will completely seal the wood. Wax has the advantage that it retains the feel of the wood.
Both can be used, but CA is more appropriate if you live in humid environments or are a messy shaver