Loose scale fix

[IMR4198]

    I don't remember when the first loose SAK scale became an object of my attention.  Been some time now.  I have used automotive trim adhesive.  Smells like model car glue.  Used that on nylon.  I have used contact cement.  Ticklish to use.  I have used epoxy.  Works, but is permanent, more or less.  What I wanted was-
1) To tighten up annoying loose scales on a SAK.  Talking cellidor here.
2) Non-permanent.  Leave it be if I choose but still able to remove the scales.
3) No scale damage or difficult clean up on the cellidor in case I decide to epoxy.
    I am experimenting with ALEX.  Painter's acrylic latex caulk.  Comes in the tubes with a pointy end.  What I am using is made by DAP and says ALEX on the side of the container.  Squeeze out a little dab.  Put a small amount into the scale mounting holes.  Push it on.  I didn't even clamp the one I have tried it on.  Dries pretty fast, but needs a couple of days to firm up good.  Doesn't smell and according to the Eastman Corp. doesn't harm cellidor.  So far so good.  Best wishes.  Gary
  
    Might need a photo.  Brace yourself.  84mm Tourist.  Best wishes.  G
  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[LoopCutter]

Would it be better to buy replacement scales and snap on?

I am not that well versed in SAM methods…

[IMR4198]

Hi Looper,
     I don't know what SAM methods are.  New scales are better.  Using the caulk I had on hand was quicker not to mention cheaper.  I might very well pry these off and make a set once things freeze up and there's not so much to do.  Spending let's say $10 for some 84mm scales to put on a SAK worth a buck or two just didn't appeal to me.  If I lose interest in making a set, these will do the job. 
    Thanks for the reply.  Always good to hear from you.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[IMR4198]

    Some early feedback on the ALEX caulk.  I did this about a week ago, and have been carrying the 84mm some.  I snap the blades and corkscrew, etc and handle it.  Everything was tight this morning, but has loosened up at the center post of the SAK.  Still tight on the other posts, but not a perfect repair. 
    Try.  Fail.  Try something else.  The fix is still adequate for carry at this point, but not 100%.  We will see.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[MacGyver]

That drives me crazy too. I also have a slightly loose scale on one of my Tourists, it's just a tiny bit of movement, and i only notice it from time to time.
But the scales are still good and i don't really want to replace them yet.

Id take them off, carefully, i usually use a long and thin Alan wrench on te T&T slots to lift from the first rivet and a thin blade to lift the other points, and then rub just a little bit of epoxy in the fixing slots, so you can take them off, even if you need to break them off next time to do so, but it will relatively easy to take the rest of glued to the fixing points.

[Mitch-O]

When my SAK felt on the floor, the scale got loose. I used a vise (or vice) to slightly squeeze them. Beeing careful not to squeeze too much, and protect the scales sides with some cardboard. The problem was solved perfectly (saw Felix Immler do something similar when he swapped scales)

[IMR4198]

Hi Mitch,
     If the scale is lifted slightly from the pins, then squeezing them back is what you need.  I don't generally use a vise.  I pad the scales up like you said, then use a small C-clamp.  I can tighten down on just that one place and do it with a little more touch.  I did just as you suggested with a Tinker a few weeks ago.  Fixed it right up. 
     Unfortunately, this old 84mm has had the scales taken off several times by previous owners and the pockets for the pins are loose.  Glue is about all that's left short of finding some new scales.  I like to watch Felix Immler.  He seems like a jolly sort of person. 

Hi Mac,
     I know what you mean about the loose scale making you crazy.  It doesn't affect the usefulness of the knife.  (I used mine today to cut up some boxes for recycle.)  I just have to tap the loose scale with a finger when I pick it up and hear it go 'tick'.  Oh well, I guess I will just try something else to stick it down with.  Or finally make some new scales. 

Best wishes to both of you.  Gary

[Helvetica Bold]

Will a tiny drop of superglue work?

[BarbaBaba]

    I don't remember when the first loose SAK scale became an object of my attention.  Been some time now.  I have used automotive trim adhesive.  Smells like model car glue.  Used that on nylon.  I have used contact cement.  Ticklish to use.  I have used epoxy.  Works, but is permanent, more or less.  What I wanted was-
1) To tighten up annoying loose scales on a SAK.  Talking cellidor here.
2) Non-permanent.  Leave it be if I choose but still able to remove the scales.
3) No scale damage or difficult clean up on the cellidor in case I decide to epoxy.
    I am experimenting with ALEX.  Painter's acrylic latex caulk.  Comes in the tubes with a pointy end.  What I am using is made by DAP and says ALEX on the side of the container.  Squeeze out a little dab.  Put a small amount into the scale mounting holes.  Push it on.  I didn't even clamp the one I have tried it on.  Dries pretty fast, but needs a couple of days to firm up good.  Doesn't smell and according to the Eastman Corp. doesn't harm cellidor.  So far so good.  Best wishes.  Gary
  
    Might need a photo.  Brace yourself.  84mm Tourist.  Best wishes.  G
  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

If you want it not to be permanent, I would suggest the use of bathroom sealant silicone. And, whenever removing celidor scales, put the knife in a cup of hot (from the boiler/kettle) water for 30sek before prying them off.

[IMR4198]

     Thanks for the suggestions awl.  I think one of the scales had been superglued at one time.  This knife has been around.  Silicone would probably work.  I don't happen to have any on hand at the moment. 
      Mostly I just got annoyed at picking up the knife and feeling the scale click.  My experimental fix is more like wrapping duct tape around a pipe.  Temporary fix until something better comes to mind. 
      The little knife is strictly a utility item.  The small size makes it a great carry.  I will see if the current temporary fix is working well enough over the next little while.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[Enginears]

Will a tiny drop of superglue work?

This is what I use on old loose scales, and it works quite well. It also is easy to pry them back off and clean up the dried glue when the time for new scales comes.

[gustophersmob]

<-- Smiles in alox 

 

[PitCarver]

Will a tiny drop of superglue work?

My preferred method.
If I ever need to replace the scales, the SG isn't that hard to remove.

[marlowe221]

Thanks for the superglue tip folks!

I've got a couple of SAKs with "clicky" scales that drive me a little bonkers. I don't want to replace them, since there's nothing wrong with the scales otherwise, and applying pressure with some padding and a clamp didn't seem to do much.

I thought about something like superglue but didn't know how hard it would be to remove if/when it came time to replace the scales entirely.

[IMR4198]

    I have been looking for something less permanent than epoxy and superglue.  Might try some rubber cement if I can locate a bottle.  I had made a longer reply, but decided to modify it.  Best wishes.  G
 

[PitCarver]

Thanks for the superglue tip folks!

I've got a couple of SAKs with "clicky" scales that drive me a little bonkers. I don't want to replace them, since there's nothing wrong with the scales otherwise, and applying pressure with some padding and a clamp didn't seem to do much.

I thought about something like superglue but didn't know how hard it would be to remove if/when it came time to replace the scales entirely.

When it's time to replace the scales entirely just pop them off.  There may be some plastic left in the ridge on the studs but it's easy enough to remove.

I'm generally a cheap old guy and for loose or cracked scales I just use Super Glue.   If I have a larger chip I use some JB Weld.

[MacGyver]

Will a tiny drop of superglue work?

I'm terribly weary of using super glue on Cellidor, that stuff melts/softens plastic. If there is any super glue that doesn't attack plastic it would be OK i guess.
But i usually prefer epoxy. But i just rub a tiny bit in the fixing slots "walls" , just enough for the barb on the bushing to grab around it. Never taken a glued one off, nut i guess it would not be that difficult..., even if i have to break the scale off... 

[Enginears]

    I have been looking for something less permanent than epoxy and superglue.  Might try some rubber cement if I can locate a bottle.  I had made a longer reply, but decided to modify it.  Best wishes.  G
 

Sounds like a good solution, let us know how it goes when you try it.

[Steelej1976]

Hi Mitch,
     If the scale is lifted slightly from the pins, then squeezing them back is what you need.  I don't generally use a vise.  I pad the scales up like you said, then use a small C-clamp.  I can tighten down on just that one place and do it with a little more touch.  I did just as you suggested with a Tinker a few weeks ago.  Fixed it right up. 
     Unfortunately, this old 84mm has had the scales taken off several times by previous owners and the pockets for the pins are loose.  Glue is about all that's left short of finding some new scales.  I like to watch Felix Immler.  He seems like a jolly sort of person. 

Hi Mac,
     I know what you mean about the loose scale making you crazy.  It doesn't affect the usefulness of the knife.  (I used mine today to cut up some boxes for recycle.)  I just have to tap the loose scale with a finger when I pick it up and hear it go 'tick'.  Oh well, I guess I will just try something else to stick it down with.  Or finally make some new scales. 

Best wishes to both of you.  Gary

I hate that 'ticky' sound.  I have a Recruit that is doing it.  When it happens I pull the scales off both sided and put a drop of super glue in each rivet hole on the scale and place a heavy box on it for an hour.  Superglue hardens continuously as time goes on.  If I ever have to break the scale off it will be because it has to be replaced due to chipping so I don't worry about it.

[GrouchoM]

Would hot glue hold sufficiently?

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[BerkshireHunter]

Thanks for the superglue tip folks!

I've got a couple of SAKs with "clicky" scales that drive me a little bonkers. I don't want to replace them, since there's nothing wrong with the scales otherwise, and applying pressure with some padding and a clamp didn't seem to do much.

I thought about something like superglue but didn't know how hard it would be to remove if/when it came time to replace the scales entirely.

Yeah, I have a camper with a loose Stayglow scale (Shame they discontinued those.) I was thinking epoxy but I may try to add super glue instead. It’s too bad Victorinox doesn’t make interesting or plus scales cheap or easy to source.

[IMR4198]

   You know, I never thought about using hot glue.  Might work.  Might not.  Cellidor melts fairly easily.  I think Barba might be on the right track with the silicone seal.  That stuff has a very acidic smell to it before it cures.  It makes me think twice.  Some of this stuff should probably be tried out on a scrap scale first.
   Lots of super glue suggestions out there.  I personally wouldn't use it.   
   Mac says it melts the cellidor.  He might be right.  I don't have any on hand to try on a SAK scale.  I don't remember whether I have ever pried the nylon scales from my 108mm.  It is loose again.  Scales are split too.  It has been glued with several different things. 
   I will keep looking for a non-permanent attachment solution, I think.  I used epoxy the last several times I stuck scales on.  Padded up the surface and clamped it.  Maybe I used some on the 108 nylon scales.  I don't remember.  Best wishes.  G
 

[GrouchoM]

There's lower temperature hot glues.  I'd imagine that even the higher temperature ones can be applied to the metal first and then the scale attached without damaging the scale.

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[IMR4198]

   Sounds like that could work.  My last exposure to hot glue was when a friend tried to fix his broken hot glue gun with..... hot glue.  I found a bottle of Elmer's wood glue in a box of seldom used things the other day.  I thought about trying it.  A brief internet search got an advisory from Elmer (or maybe Elsie) that their wood glue is a flop for plastic.  There isn't a stick of hot glue in the house, or I might try heating a drop with a lighter or something.  I have put my SAKs back in storage for now (challenge).  Then I might experiment some more.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[DavZell]

Just throwing this out there:  isn't there a "thick" Loc-tite for bolts with looser thread contact?  I wonder how that might work.

Re: someone asking about "other Super Glues," Super Glue is a trade name for what is generically called CA glue or Cyanoacrylate.  It is this chemical that eats the plastic.  So there may be other glues that work, but CA glue, aka Super Glue or Cyanoacrylate, under any name or formulation (there is thin, medium, thick, gel, and colors), will unfortunately eat many plastics.

[PitCarver]

The only issues I've ever had with super glue and Celidor is when I got some on the outside of the scales.   Sure the SG melts the Celidor a bit but I actually think that melting it around the studs is a good thing, helping it grab.

[AzteCypher]

Not sure these ideas would work but thought I would offer them up anyways.

I have used super glue in conjunction with baking soda to recreate missing pieces from some of the kids toys.  Mostly plastic screw stands and such.

This would be pretty fiddly work but, you could try reducing the inner diameter of the pocket for the pins ever so slightly.  You could put a very thin layer of super glue and then sprinkle some baking soda on it.  The baking soda absorbs the super glue becoming pretty solid.  You could even sand it down slightly if you used too much.  This might create the friction fit that it had previously.  Like I said, fiddly work.  Not sure if it would be worth the effort unless it was a hard to find scale.

The other idea I had was using that Blu-Tac stuff that's used to hang up posters and such.  It wouldn't be permanent and it might be enough to do away with that 'clicking" sound you hear when you press against the scale. 

[IMR4198]

     Now that's an original idea.  And since you would be using the super glue and soda mix to rebuild the oversize pocket in the scale, it wouldn't be permanent.  Just a rebuild of the scale.  Glue is dried already when you press it back on. 
     I remember the poster gum.  That should remove the excess movement.  Definitely not a permanent bond, just a tightener.  I read on one of the forums that Swiss Bianco suggested using two-sided tape for a temporary solution.  That might work on the solid scales.  Best wishes.  G