Had a very busy day yesterday, two contractors on site for two big jobs. One replacing a drain line 150 feet long. Took an excavator to dig the trench. Rather then dig up the old line, we dug a parallel line and put in a new line. The second contractor was repairing a section of (old) water damaged subfloor and replacing the flooring. The damage was hidden by the seller prior to the sale and finally come to light. The floor had started to sag and we were in danger of falling through. Nice to be safe again.
After getting them started, I went out to the shop and mixed up some two part epoxy and added some black tint to the mix for this part of the project. About to set the bone accents against the blade guard, and since it's natural bone, I wanted any epoxy that might peek through to blend. I had tried to square up the bone and smooth it as best I could, but no matter what some might suggest, I am not a ro-ro-ro-bot.
Carefully, I got each piece aligned, and then slowly applied pressure with the can't twist Clamps. This things are awesome. I left the blank and bone to cure overnight and went in to monitor the work. They certainly didn't need my help, or advice. I left them to do the work, it's what we pay them for. I'm sure they appreciated me staying out of the way.
Happy New Year All!
December Hunter Project
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7257
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: December Hunter Project
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You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7257
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: December Hunter Project
However, after the trench was dug and the new PVC pipe was all plumbed, Tina did get the tractor out and help put all the dirt back. She loves her tractor and the contractor didn't mind that part. He had stuff to do at HIS farm... horses to feed before dark and such. 
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7257
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: December Hunter Project
This morning, I was back at it. I took the blank out of the clamps, and then using the 1" vertical belt sander and the oscillating sander, I shaped the bone accents, PRIOR to moving on to mounting the scales. The knife will move to polishing together, but I wanted the bone shaped before I started to mount the scales. They look pretty good for now.
The right side accent...
and the left...
Still a lot more to do.
The right side accent...
and the left...
Still a lot more to do.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
Re: December Hunter Project
Blank is looking good, less blanky… 
Too bad about the home repair, nice you have “a guy” to help out.
Too bad about the home repair, nice you have “a guy” to help out.
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7257
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: December Hunter Project
Had a long session in the shop this morning. First, I got the scales ready to drill. I lined the scale up on the blank, and placed a scrap piece of Carbon Fiber on the Birdseye side, to prevent blowout. When I was certain I had the scale where I wanted it, I used the Kant Twist Clamps to hold them in place and tightened them down.
With the scrap on the back side against the birdseye, the bit coming out of the panel can't blow out the wood upon exit and ruin the panel. I have had this happen, and then you have to figure out how to salvage the panel or start over... not the place you want to be.
After repeating the process with the second scale, I moved onto making the pins from the rod stock, and the lanyard pin from the hollow brass stock. This simply entailed cutting the rod stock to length, then rounding the ends, and polishing the stock until it slid smoothly thru the holes. I sanded the scales from 120 through 800 on the flat sides, to reduce the work load one they are on the blank, and rounded the face that contacts the accent bone.
Began the glue up by coating the one side, applying the panel, and pushing the pins through. Then coated the second side with glue and preparing to seat the second scale.
Seating the second scale is critical. The holes have to be exactly vertical and the pins properly aligned. Early on, I had made minor errors, and found that the second scale cracked when trying to force the scales into place. This is why I take so much care in alignment during the drilling process, and check and double check each step. In this case, the scale dropped into place and a light pressure seated 'er. I applied even pressure along the scales with the Kant Twist clamps and an additional clamp from the collection. (Normally used for woodworking.) I will order another pair of Kant Twist... I have needed them for some time now.
Still more to do, but we are getting close to the end. We are moving to the shaping and final sanding phase. Soon we'll apply finish and be rewarded with that pop of color from the Birdseye.
With the scrap on the back side against the birdseye, the bit coming out of the panel can't blow out the wood upon exit and ruin the panel. I have had this happen, and then you have to figure out how to salvage the panel or start over... not the place you want to be.
After repeating the process with the second scale, I moved onto making the pins from the rod stock, and the lanyard pin from the hollow brass stock. This simply entailed cutting the rod stock to length, then rounding the ends, and polishing the stock until it slid smoothly thru the holes. I sanded the scales from 120 through 800 on the flat sides, to reduce the work load one they are on the blank, and rounded the face that contacts the accent bone.
Began the glue up by coating the one side, applying the panel, and pushing the pins through. Then coated the second side with glue and preparing to seat the second scale.
Seating the second scale is critical. The holes have to be exactly vertical and the pins properly aligned. Early on, I had made minor errors, and found that the second scale cracked when trying to force the scales into place. This is why I take so much care in alignment during the drilling process, and check and double check each step. In this case, the scale dropped into place and a light pressure seated 'er. I applied even pressure along the scales with the Kant Twist clamps and an additional clamp from the collection. (Normally used for woodworking.) I will order another pair of Kant Twist... I have needed them for some time now.
Still more to do, but we are getting close to the end. We are moving to the shaping and final sanding phase. Soon we'll apply finish and be rewarded with that pop of color from the Birdseye.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
-
markiver54
- Deputy Marshal
- Posts: 10984
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:49 am
- Location: Biue Ridge Mountains, NC
-
BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7257
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: December Hunter Project
I am looking forward to that as well. This has gone much slower than it should have, other priorities popping up. Inside and outside the house. We spent half a day taking down the bay window curtain rods, putting up new heavy duty double curtain rods, then hanging new insulated floor to ceiling drapes and the ruffled trim thingees at the top on the second rod. Big difference. Stopped that cold seeping thru the windows.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
-
markiver54
- Deputy Marshal
- Posts: 10984
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:49 am
- Location: Biue Ridge Mountains, NC
Re: December Hunter Project
It's hard to stay on course when there are many other pressing needs. I get side-tracked by lots of other little things when trying to stay focused on a project. I guess that makes it even more rewarding when it's complete. 
I'm your Huckleberry
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BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7257
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains
Re: December Hunter Project
Hopefully, after breakfast, I'll be back at it this morning. Fueled by a couple cups of coffee, this is the best part. I love these last steps.
I love these last steps. You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
Re: December Hunter Project
May the force be with you. Ready to enjoy the finished product.BrokenolMarine wrote: ↑Sat Dec 13, 2025 9:27 amHopefully, after breakfast, I'll be back at it this morning. Fueled by a couple cups of coffee, this is the best part.