Spacer question!

[Mark Barone]

Can a spacer be placed between two pieces of wood to make up a full scale or does that create a week link? or will it be structurally ok if there are sufficient pins in place on both sides? Consider that green line being a spacer.

 

[Gliden07]

Most of the times I've seen spacers like that they also have a liner full length.

 

[John Wilson]

Can a spacer be placed between two pieces of wood to make up a full scale or does that create a week link? or will it be structurally ok if there are sufficient pins in place on both sides? Consider that green line being a spacer. View attachment 66829

Yep. It works fine. But as Gliden says, you’ll also want a full spacer to bond it all together, primarily to keep it all sound before the scales go on. Once it’s all epoxied to the blade it’s probably a non-issue.

 

[Mark Barone]

Great, thanks guys..that makes sense now with the full liner.

 

[KenH]

When I'm doing a spacer I will put a slot in spacer with matching slots in the scale ends. These slots allow epoxy to form a "pin" extending from scale end thru spacer into other scale end to help hold it all together. Even when using a spacer like this maple between the Walnut scales I make sure the epoxy will flow thru the liner material from Walnut to Maple in a side slot. I have used brass pins extending from Walnut scale all the way thru the maple to other Walnut scale, but have decided that is overkill.

 

[Mark Barone]

When I'm doing a spacer I will put a slot in spacer with matching slots in the scale ends. These slots allow epoxy to form a "pin" extending from scale end thru spacer into other scale end to help hold it all together. Even when using a spacer like this maple between the Walnut scales I make sure the epoxy will flow thru the liner material from Walnut to Maple in a side slot. I have used brass pins extending from Walnut scale all the way thru the maple to other Walnut scale, but have decided that is overkill.

I like that idea. That handle is nice, beautiful finish work also.