Sgian for a bet...

**cacunn** · 25th April 07, 04:22 AM

Something tells me that if there were a need for cold fusion to go with a kilted outfit someone on the forum would figure out how to do it with what they have in their kitchen and garage.

Good work - great post.

Thanks a lot.

**Sean_the_Kilted** · 25th April 07, 04:28 AM

For those of us without a grinder, any suggestions about how to cut and shape a blade as you did with cheap tools? I have access to a wood shop, but there are no metal working tools.

**BEEDEE** · 25th April 07, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Sean_the_Kilted

For those of us without a grinder, any suggestions about how to cut and shape a blade as you did with cheap tools? I have access to a wood shop, but there are no metal working tools.

You could try drilling a series of small holes just outside the profile. Then file through two or three holes to get a hacksaw in to cut between the holes to the rough shape. Then file to finish shape.

Brian

Raptor · 25th April 07, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Sean_the_Kilted

For those of us without a grinder, any suggestions about how to cut and shape a blade as you did with cheap tools? I have access to a wood shop, but there are no metal working tools.

If I wasn't working to a deadline (one of the conditions to the bet!) my preference would have been a hacksaw & files. As the blade in question is fairly thin & stainless steel, I could have got through it with a bit of patience & elbow grease.
The saga continues: The epoxy cost me $3.95, so my total so far is $5.45

The tang fixed into the hilt with a mixture of 2 part epoxy & sawdust. (a couple of chips from the handle off-cuts took care of the slack from the round hole. The hilt has had two coats of carbon black (powdered charcoal from the timber offcuts) mixed with turpentine. Note the vaseline on the blade to keep the epoxy off

The start of the blade recess in the sheath.

The two halves of the sheath setting up to dry (Epoxy again)

Some of the hardwoods I have put aside for the next projects, just to wet some appetites. All is just roughsawn so the pics dont do the timber justice, I've just wet it down with some turps to show as much of the grain as possible):

Fiddleback Redgum

Blackwood

Beefwood (I love this stuff. An extremely hard, dense, desert sheoak, but I wont even be attempting to carve it!)

**Skweres** · 25th April 07, 08:12 AM

Nice!

**Arlen** · 25th April 07, 09:49 AM

Very, very nice. I'm impressed.

**Piper** · 26th April 07, 04:37 AM

While I've never had a problem with epoxy, I've taken to using a polyurethane glue (gorilla glue is one brand). It eliminates the mixing, is waterproof, and while I'm not sure how the strength compares to epoxy, it's certainly strong enough for the uses I put it to. Have you tried working with the polyurethane glues?

**pipesndrumsnun** · 26th April 07, 11:59 AM

Absolutely beautiful! You did a GREAT job!! Nice work!

Raptor · 26th April 07, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Piper

While I've never had a problem with epoxy, I've taken to using a polyurethane glue (gorilla glue is one brand). It eliminates the mixing, is waterproof, and while I'm not sure how the strength compares to epoxy, it's certainly strong enough for the uses I put it to. Have you tried working with the polyurethane glues?

No, I've never used it. I've always stuck to the epoxies (pardon the pun

) because I've always had success with them & I work on the theory "if it aint broke, dont fix it!"

Raptor · 26th April 07, 04:09 PM

Well, here it is basically finished! I have a mate bringing over some carnouba wax tonight, & I have to buy some emery paper to buff up the blade a bit. (3 sheets @ $1 each) The blade is a little loose in the sheath, but precision wasn't really a concern with this project. I'll do better next time.

5 days extremely part-time work
Total of $8.45 invested
All materials either scrounged or purchased for the job.
I win