Cutting Micarta into ferrules

M

mrinsatiable

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
does anyone if making ferrules from old yellow micarta needs to be cut with the grain or it doesn't matter.

Upon first glance micarta doesn't seem to have any grains but with close inspection you can tell that the paper asbestos has been sandwich together.

does it matter if ferrules are made alongside the grain or cross grain *like a laminated tip.
 
If you cut them cross grain, they will break easier. I'd cut them with the grain.
 
mrinsatiable said:
does anyone if making ferrules from old yellow micarta needs to be cut with the grain or it doesn't matter.

Upon first glance micarta doesn't seem to have any grains but with close inspection you can tell that the paper asbestos has been sandwich together.

does it matter if ferrules are made alongside the grain or cross grain *like a laminated tip.
Click to expand...

It is made two ways, rolled and stripped. Rolled is like a tight roll of paper towels. Stripped is made from lamination's. The old stuff you used to see on the SW cues was from stripped cut with the length. That is why it often resembled ivory once it was turned. The lamination's created sort of a grain effect when turned. When they made change in the old yellowish Micarta it was no longer any good for ferrules. When you tried to drill it, it split almost every time. That was the end of using it it was no good anymore. Rolled is certainly stronger but the old Micarta was plenty strong enough to be cut length wise and not split.

If you in fact have the old stuff it is fine to do it with the grain as you call it. However, I have to be skeptical that is what you have, it is really hard to come by. The last I saw was at a garage sale. It was about 2 sq feet 1 1/2 inches thick that belonged to a guy who made knives who had died. Last minute as i tried to buy it his son changed his mind and said he was keeping every thing his dad had for knife making. That was a while ago and was before all the interest lately in Micarta for ferrules, in fact before this forum even existed. Today I would have made him an offer he could not have turned down.
 
Last edited:
I'm assuming that you are familiar with the health hazards involved with cutting the material, yes?
Mr H
 
I just bought some from knifemaker here on AZ and need to know of any special safety ideas before bandsawing it up.--Leonard
 
Micarta Rod

Sheldon said:
If you cut them cross grain, they will break easier. I'd cut them with the grain.
Click to expand...

moneypics049.jpg
Stew (Stupendous) Mortinson holding a 3" Dia. Micarta Rod from the 60s.

Hi,

This 1960s piece of GE Micarta rod has the sheet material in a spiral pattern within the construction as opposed to the Westinghouse Micarta made as flat layers. This makes for a great structure for very rare & special ferrules. I bought this piece 2 years ago and use it for cue projects only where the customer wants this stuff and understands what they are paying for.

Rick Geschrey
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top