How do you get that rounded look on homemade SAK scales?

[Agent X68]

How do you get that rounded look on homemade SAK scales? This is NOT my scale. I am looking to round my homemade polycarbonate scale.

Polycarb is a type of plasctic.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm going to move this to the mod forum so the modders can see and maybe answer it. 

For the record, when I do that, I cut a 1" wide strip of sandpaper and run it back and forth like I was trying to polish a shoe.
 
Def

[Sparky415]

I have only done one so far but after the shaping is done (by file or machine) as Def says it needs to be finished by hand 

[nuphoria]

You can get it in to the basic shape with a dremel type tool, but the fine work has to be by hand. If you're working with a hard wood or other tough stuff, it's going to take a while - no getting round that!

Work down to a really fine grit in stages and you should get the result you want. Have fun

[Sparky415]

You can also try fine wire wool if you don't have fine sandpaper 

[Andreas]

One good tip is to find a belt sander, preferably a large table mounted version. Between the rollers on each side and the flat area there will be a small area where you can push down the sand paper, creating a groove. Put some old, well used fine grit paper on the sander and use that groove to push the scale down. It will create a sanding surface that rounds off the scale, and the fine grit worn out paper will make sure it doesn't dig through the entire thing.

Another version of this trick is with a precision belt sander: http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=18866
Using fine grit, worn out paper on a low speed you can get the same groove at some points along the line with that one. I've used both this method and the one above to create scales.

Alternately you can use the palm of your hand with normal sand paper, takes more time but it works.

[sappyg]

One good tip is to find a belt sander, preferably a large table mounted version.

+1.... i nearly took the tip of my favorite finger of a while ago with a hand held belt sander turned on it side. LOL... it took me about three times before i realized i should put on gloves. 

[Sparky415]

One good tip is to find a belt sander, preferably a large table mounted version.

+1.... i nearly took the tip of my favorite finger of a while ago with a hand held belt sander turned on it side. LOL... it took me about three times before i realized i should put on gloves. 

 



 




 

[DaveK]

You can get it in to the basic shape with a dremel type tool, but the fine work has to be by hand. If you're working with a hard wood or other tough stuff, it's going to take a while - no getting round that!

Work down to a really fine grit in stages and you should get the result you want. Have fun

That's my method. I use a Dremel (actually a Proxxon but same thing) to put a bevel on the "squared" edge, then sand by hand with ever-decreasing grits, then wire wool, and lastly bri-wax polishing.

This is an old pic, looks to be half way through the process:

[Agent X68]

Thanks for your advice everyone, much appreciated.

[Sparky415]

As you know by now we will need pictures! 

[Andreas]

Don't know who you meant should post pictures but either way here's some of mine

[Agent X68]

I am adding the company's logo.  The knife is a good quality coast knockoff.  I will have pics soon.

[Agent X68]

Here are the pictures.  I am not the best modder or have the best camera, but here they are.


My workbench is very dirty right now, and the tan thing in the first picture is a wooden dowel.
It is 1/2 to 3/4 done.

[Sparky415]

Don't know who you meant should post pictures but either way here's some of mine



Everyone! I like pictures they give me more ideas and show me whats posible 

[Agent X68]

I Dremeled a trench and then stuck the logo plate in there.
by the way, how do you get the vic logo out of a used scale for a new scale?

[Andreas]

Very sharp pointy knife

[John]

Very sharp pointy knife

Yep I just bend the scale slightly where the tip of the knife is until it lifts slightly,then work around prying with a small very sharp SAK blade