Need to thin Fractal burn scales

Mark Barone

Well-Known Member
I bought these scales. Because I am also adding spacers, I need to probably take off 1/8 or maybe more on the tang side. It has to be pretty accurate because I can’t sand down the handle after epoxy or I will lose the burn effect. I feel if I just try to grind it down, I won’t keep it even. I was thinking of just sharing it off on the table saw but I want to keep my fingers. Any suggestions? I wanted also to try this process until I found out it could kill you unless you really understand electricity




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I would put them to a disc sander with a course disc. keep putting calipers to them to keep the sanding progression even.
 
This sounds similar to cutting veneer. Here's a link on cutting veneer that might help. Start at about 3:45 to see how to build a fence to keep everything straight.Veneer
 
Great suggestions, I think I will try J Doyle’s idea, I feel confident using my table saw and that will keep my fingers away. I think I will buy a new blade for this.
 
I had never heard of Fractal burning before - that is neat! From what I read it around 5,000 (or more) volts. I might have to try that - I've got a 10,000 volt variable supply I made for testing for tube amp building. That does leave interesting patterns. I'd think to make the scales to fit, then do the burning would be a good idea. I'll have to do a bit more reading about that.

Thanks for posting.
 
It's an interesting art form but I agree with Jason. I was an electrician for 9 years and while I never took a serious hit, most of us know electricity has a bad bite. while the machines in our shops will happily cut, grind, burn, put stuff in your lungs and eyes, it's not often they'll stop your heart for good by making one mistake.
It's one thing to get hit by 110 once in a while, it's another to get hit by a high voltage transformer.
as often as I would think I would ever use wood like that I think I would just buy it like retroguy did verses setting up and having one more killer contraption in my shop. :D
 
Thanks for the concern folks but I do think I'm well aware of the dangers. I spent my life working in electrical world, worked as electrician and retired doing electrical engineering. I've been building tube amps (and HV power supplies) where voltages run 2,000 to 4,000 volts DC, and testing "leaks" with up to 10,000 dc. Yea, I've been "hit" more times than I can count with 120vac, but only once (or twice?) with 277VAC (one leg of 480 to ground). That HURT!!! Almost forgot, a yr or so ago I got into a guitar amp that didn't have bleeders across the caps and got hit with around 400 VDC. That HURT - and took me a while to fully recover.

So, yea I'm well aware of the dangers of high voltage - it's scary!
 
You mite try some quality double stick tape to fasten it a block of wood, I use it to cut thin pieces in my lathe and mill just keep it cool. Deane
 
I thought about making one of the burners but I sent the link to my father who was an electrician for 40 years and he said no way, way to dangerous. He has had hits from 240 volts supplies that have thrown him off a ladder.

As Ken says one mistake.....we all know how dangerous our buffers are and we will all have had close shaves and scares from them but a mistake with those voltages / amps zapping across disrupting your heart.



Hence why I never made one.
 
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