Micarta help

nmikash · Post by **nmikash** » Fri May 11, 2007 3:29 am

I have plans to put some Micarta scales on a Schrade SQ587 XTAC. Does any one have some tips for working with Micarta? I was planning on cutting with a Dremel tool and a cutting wheel. Shaping with a file & a sanding drum, and then working down with wet/dry sandpaper. I have read that it can be finished with superglue, waxes or just buffing. Any tips will be appreciated.

Thanks
Nick

Diligence · Post by **Diligence** » Sat May 12, 2007 2:01 am

I've had good luck working it by hand. I did find that the dust bothered me a bit so I always wear a mask when using it....and my wife thinks it smells like cat pee so I have to leave those clothes in the shop after I'm done for the night.

I have only used black paper micarta, and never linen or canvas.

I've gotten a good shine using sandpaper up to 1500 grit, with a bit of oil as a lubricant.

Remember that although micarta is rock hard, it will still chip out if you force the pins through.

Try it! You'll do fine.

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Sun May 13, 2007 5:42 am

Definitely wear a respirator when working Micarta (the companies that sell it usually specify that). The resins in it are not a good thing to have in your lungs!

It is hard, probably impossible to get a good polish on linen or canvas Micarta, due to the nature of the material.

I have had good results with paper Micarta by sanding it to 2000 grit and then using micron paper up to 6000 to 8000. After that I buff it with No Scratch Pink compound on a loose buff. It comes out with a nice shine. I have only done this with the black Micarta, not the white, but I imagine it would work the same.

Diligence is right, it will chip, so don't try to force it.

I hope this helps,
Dale

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Sun May 13, 2007 1:35 pm

my homemade jeancarta is real flexible, I've never had any chip out (knock onwood) but then again the companies probably use a higher density resin too. Definately wear a respirator, I grind it outside if I can. It's hard to get a glossy finish on micarta, my I usually sand my jeancarta to 600 grit and buff with white or pink and it gives it kind of a semi gloss finish

nmikash · Post by **nmikash** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:21 am

Thanks for the tips guys. I have started my handles and will try and keep photos coming as I go. I started by using the stock scales as a template to trace onto the micarta slab. Using a reinforced cutting wheel I cut out the rough shape for the handles. Next I used a sanding drum on the dremel to shape them up. And of course I used a mask and gloves while I did the Dremel work. As you can see I worked outside. I taped the original scales over the micarta and tried to sand them as close to the originals as possible.

More to come when I get some more free time...

Nick