Hand made kit

[Dranoweb]

I have a new batch of photos - I revisited my methods, and made an alignment jig, and increased my guide holes to 4.
the new runs are perfect!.

Kept the design the same as per advice, and did some fill on my first prototype.
Also have a 3rd mild steel blade as it's a little easier to work than the stainless. Although when I took the photo's this one still had MDF stuck in the design from the molding process (the yellow stuff)

Top: original with epoxy and graphite fill (sparkles in the sun)
Middle: 2nd attempt with better alignment
Bottom: mild steel blade - with MDF still stuck in the detailing.
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Freshly cracked mold - very happy!
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Casting sgian dubh MK-II
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The new methods in use
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Positioning the tang - took a bit of patience
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I'm also working on a blunt, mini-sgian dubh for my little nephew as he will be kitted up as well. Planning on making an acrylic handle to lighten it up so he doesn't loose it from his tiny socks. I have filled similar designs before in the same resin, so it should match, but will adopt a 2nd colour tone according to whatever it's placed against.
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[Dranoweb]

I've made a couple of belts (I have one and Nathan, another X-Marker, has one) with a three strand knotweave. Lots of work. A four-strand is even moreso. Well done, indeed.

I'd be quite interested to see some of your work too. I'm planning on making some leather punches with a variation of my casting methods soon.

[Dranoweb]

A bit more advice if anyone is willing:

I have been tasked to make a few kilt pins/sash pins - I'm thinking of going with the variant of a triskel in a round broach-like presentation.

is there anything special I need to know when pinning a kilt? - other than not to pin both layers together?

[TheOfficialBren]

I'd be quite interested to see some of your work too. I'm planning on making some leather punches with a variation of my casting methods soon.

Here you go, mate. Here's one of the belts that I made a while back and posted to this thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-masses-79240/

PM me if you get a minute. I have an idea to run by you. Your casting is looking pretty sharp. I love your Tree of Life design.

[Dranoweb]

For those of you still following this post - I'm up to the sheath stage.
I'm interested in opinions again, as I feel it may be a little too thick.

Some photos of the assembly stages - in case anyone has better methods.
Anyway enjoy the pics - feel free to throw any comment my way as I take them all on board, and it all helps to create a better end product.

The remaining parts laid out - and the dummy blade for the mini Sgian Dubh going to my nephew
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two prototype halves, out of the laser, sanded and epoxy ready.
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Clamped - waiting patiently for the epoxy to dry
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First look and test fit.
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Checking alignment - this shows the thickness - and what I'm not entirely sure about.
does this look good to you guys?
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Detailing in the laser cutter after 1200 grit sanding
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Almost complete
The design is a slight rearrangement of the knotwork splines used to make the handle.
I just removed the pommel end and converged the splines to a single point - hoping this looks ok, as it's been a long day in the workshop.
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The prototype display with original handle design
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prototype displayed with piper handle design (this one is going to the piper along with a bottle of whiskey for his troubles)
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The sheath still needs some varnish - I'll probably go with spray on marine varnish - I'm considering staining the detail instead of relying on the laser burn to make it stand out.

Another idea was to use epoxy and graphite powder to fill, but I would loose the sheen when I sand it.
I tested this on some leftover epoxy fill and was unable to get a cleanly sanded finish - would be interested if anyone has ever worked with the stuff.

[Leoghan]

that is some great work!! i love the wolf pins!!

[Dranoweb]

The wolf pins were leftovers from a gift to my fiance on our first meeting.
we had been talking for around 10 years prior, but never met in person.

I thought it worth the effort to impress. She was actually the inspiration for my recently acquired skill with white metal, and this project was my first attempt at the craft.
It took me around 3 months to develop the methods and process to make this happen, and I'm still improving on them today.

With the assistance of my laser cutter, and some trickery to make it do things it was never designed to do, I managed to turn out some acceptable quality goods.

One of the originals
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In place on the gift box.
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Front of the box
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The box it'self
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The medallion - my first successful casting
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The box from a distance
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I also have a favorite - limited edition "buckles of America" wolf buckle that I use everyday, but with the possibility of loosing it to airport customs, I decided to make one I could replace for the trip.

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I might point out that this buckle is about 25mm thick and weighs over a kilogram.
but then again, I'm not comfortable with a light buckle.
Still amazed at the fact customs didn't take this off me. I went through so many security checks...
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and a couple of test pieces I made at the time, included for interest.

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[Dranoweb]

On the build topic again - I've chosen a "Japan Black" stain for the hardwood sheath, in keeping with the "hidden black" literal translation of "Sgian Dubh"

Varnish is still setting, so more pics to come.

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[Dranoweb]

Varnish is finally dry enough to photograph.
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[Hopper250]

I like the black, its not ostentatious but still calls the eye to the knot work.