- 3/8 inch scales from 1 - 7/8 scale? Would the resultant handle be wide enough after shaping?
How in the heck would I cut these things in half anyway!?
I'm just a noob but I've done three handles so far. 3/8 sounds a little thin to me, its late and I have everything put up or I would go out and get some measurements for you. For instance I ordered handle blanks from Dixie, the osage came in pairs (no need to slice) but the bocote and zebrawood (and some ziricote that I already had) I cut them with a $100 bandsaw that I bought. It is the old CRAFTSMAN 12" BANDSWAW SANDER. the fence I made by C-Clamping a piece of two by four and the cuts came out nice, I didn't even measure anything (hey, we are supposed to be having FUN here) and I was pleased. I got a drill press for forty bucks and it is very crucial for cutting straight holes and counterboring. I also have a router bit on the way so I can hog out a slot for a hidden tang.
I just ordered some small sanding drums and sleeves from klingspors, the kit was eight bucks and something.
The way I do my pins is I ordered some 5/32 brass rods from Tower Hobbie. I just glue everything up, leave about an 1/8" of pins sticking out then peen them into the counterbore that I drilled in the pin hole.
the most expensive thing I bought (beside the blades) was the 1x42 Kalamazoo. I got a set of belts in different grits and I was scared to death to grind the edge but starting out with the coarse and dipping in ice water all the way until I got to the 320 then 400 grit followed by the leather belt holy cow do I have some SHARP A$$ KNIVES.