|
|
Post by ride57 on Sept 26, 2011 20:52:35 GMT
Jayhawk, I got the brass rods at the local lumber/hardware store, they were in the metal bin. I think ACE or True Value should also have them. I will sharpen the blade and break out a tamishigeri mat and see how it is.
I think this weekend or next I will try to find a welder.
|
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Oct 1, 2011 5:17:26 GMT
I got a new piece welded on the tang today. I also had him weld the 2 pieces I had left over on each side. We did it a bit back from the handguard as he couldnt get the welder in close to weld the ends. The tang is about 2x the thickness of the welded on tang at that point, so I don't really see a issue. Also put a couple spot welds on the sides. I ground everything down and drilled/tapped and put in 2 bolts, one from each side, then ground off the heads flat with the tang. I also used red locktite and staked them after I ground them down. I used some Locktite Putty to fill in near the handguard. I cut the 2 wood pieces (oak) and traced out the tang. Just have to figure out how best to route it out. (I don't have a router)   |
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Oct 2, 2011 0:46:10 GMT
I have gotten the oak pieces routed out. I used a dremmel flat bottom burr in the drill press to remove the wood. There is a slight curve to the new tang, so I had to route out a wider (than I thought I would need) channel for the tang (so it can slide on) I rasped a slight angle at the handguard so it would be even there. I need to trim off a bit at the back to leave room for the ring to be welded on. Now I need to plane the edges and get it rounded, seal it and glue together.   |
|
|
|
Post by Sir Tre on Oct 2, 2011 19:35:18 GMT
the bottom half of the weld tang is soft metal if i remember correctly... not HT
|
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Oct 8, 2011 3:24:40 GMT
I decided that instead of making the handle, slipping it on, welding the ring and then using wood strips to tighten the handle to the tang. That I would weld the ring on first and then put the handle on. I don't plan on taking it off. I filled in the space between the tang and where I had routed. I had routed wider because I was originally going to slip the handle on. I used putty, just like glass bedding a rifle. I put small pieces of Q tip stick for alignment. You can see I am holding one in the first pic. I pre drilled holes on one side of the handle and then predrilled the tang. I cut off pieces of brass rod for the pins. I am using 2 1/4 in for the top (nearest the handguard) and 3 for the rest.  Then, once i got every thing to fit and align, I used epoxy in the tang channels of both sides of the handle. then, put together and clamped. Tomorrow I will drill out the holes, apply sealer/stain, put the pins in. I will have to get some leather for wrap. I think that that will be the strongest. Almost done :mrgreen:  |
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Oct 9, 2011 0:28:08 GMT
The handle is on. I put 2 1/4 in pegs nearest the handguard and 3 3/16th pegs at the ring end. It is hefty and no slop at all. For wrapping, so far the longest leather that is 1/2 in wide is 6 ft long. I could put smaller width leather on, but I don't know if I want to put small stuff on. I did find some 3in wide kevlar for sale on ebay though.   |
|
|
|
Post by Polarclaw on Oct 9, 2011 2:03:42 GMT
You're doing an awesome job man. Keep it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Oct 15, 2011 3:08:30 GMT
Well, I got some leather strips at Tandy Leather today. 1/2in x 6ft, 1/4in x 6ft and 1/8 in x 6ft (shoelaces) Here is the 1/2 in, its to thick for a good wrap(IMHO):  Here is the 1/4 in. I decided to go with this. I will play around with the spacing of the wrap:  But wait! there's more!!! I took the 1/2 in strap and ran it down the side and then wrapped it with the 1/4 in. It fills out the handle and makes it more rounded. I like this!  I will soak the leather before I wrap it so when it dries it will shrink to a tight fit. I will try to carefully epoxy it as I wrap (yes, I am imagining the mess already  ) also some small brass nails to hold it. ETA: I could either use the original wrap for the ring, or use the 1/8 leather for that. decisions |
|
|
|
Post by Taiwandeutscher on Oct 15, 2011 12:33:29 GMT
Your handy work is amazing, really. But for the handle wrap, I would use even thinner leather or cotton/silk threads, and look up some traditional methods, before using epoxy or other glues etc.. You also could check with Peter Dekker at his Mandarin Mension www.mandarinmansion.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Oct 26, 2011 4:37:03 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by ride57 on Dec 14, 2011 21:58:42 GMT
Ok, I ~finally~ got around to getting pics. :oops: I went with the leather. So far it feels ok. I will cut a mat with it next time I get some ready. I am gonna try to rewrap the ring with the lace that came with it. I will probably mess it up a few times :shock:    |
|
|
|
Post by Jayhawk on Dec 14, 2011 23:47:57 GMT
Good job...that looks nice.
Eric
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2011 9:11:47 GMT
Nice.
It's too bad the blade and tang weren't from a single piece of metal; I have seen that item numerous times but didn't feel like buying from a lack of information.
|
|
) also some small brass nails to hold it.
