Can mammoth scales be removed? Sure...

[Mr. Whippy]

I've carried my mammoth scaled Vic Executive most days to work since I bought it (2012?)  Today, I noticed that one scale was separated a bit more than usual.  So, I ran a fingernail under it.  Lo and behold, it was delaminating from the tool!   

Slipping a thin knife blade in there and working GENTLY, the scale popped right off!





This is a shot of the scale right after I bought it, (basically right out of the box):


I'm going to sand down the scale and see if I can get it flatter, then re-attach it.  Basically, it looks like a standard epoxy glue.

BTW, the scratches weren't of my doing.  I'm guessing they had a time getting this scale on originally.

[Syph007]

Ya the bright side is you can make it better.

To sand the scale perfectly flat I like to use a piece of ceramic tile.  They are always close to a true surface.  Wet it a bit and the sandpaper sticks right to it then sand away.

I dont love gluing sclaes on.  I think exposed rivets would have been nicer, but I can understand its not the easiest for them to do.

Good luck with the fix!

[enki_ck]

Well at least you get to play with it, clean under the scales and reassemble it.

Sorry to see this. Please post pics of how the restoration was done.

[Mr. Whippy]

I flat sanded the scale on a piece of leftover soapstone.  I knew i wasn't perfectly flat, but I didn't want the scales to be markedly different in thickness.  Still, it's better than it was originally...