Magnacut Handle Build

[MightyQ]

Well with plenty of help and great info from people and posts here on the forum I started my Magnacut's Handle build. For this I used Purple Heart wood that my grandfather gave me. He also helped with starting the shaping so this will definitely be a keeper. Much of my build was done by referencing Xplorer's how to handle build post (viewtopic.php?t=89740) To start I traced my mule on a piece of paper, cut it out, then glued it on my scales, and cut it out and shaped it with a band saw and a drill press sanding drum. That got me to here.

Then I drilled out the pin holes for my 3/16th brass pins using my tracing on the scale. Next I started sanding the top of the scales because it would have been much harder to do once the knife is glued together.

After that was complete I glued it up and stuck it in the vice. To clamp it with this vice I took to scrap pieces of wood and drilled holes matching that of my mule so that the pins would not be clamped but the handle would.

After leaving over night I ground down the pins on the bench grinder being careful not to let them get too hot.

Then basically spent the rest of the day hand sanding it increasing grits from 120, 300, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, and finally 2,000.

Then again referencing Xplorer's post I ground down some brass to scrape off the excess Epoxy around the blade and on the spine. Which has me to my current state so far.

Next is applying some finish and possibly torching the wood or trying the acetone method recommended by Bolster to make this purple heart really purple!

[MightyQ]

Sorry about the sideways photos! Guess phone photos have to be landscape!

[Bolster]

Nice job! That purple heart already looks great!

[ykspydiefan]

Wow! I'm not really excited about purple plastic handles. Purple heart wood is really exciting, especially the way it ages. Hopefully, you have some LittleQ's, and you can hand that beauty down in time. Intergenerational work is where it's at!

[Xplorer]

Wow! Great job!

The Purple heart looks great. You did a really nice job on the mounting and shaping.

You've now turned that purple heart from your grandfather into a useful and valuable tool you can use. Congrats! You certainly picked a great Mule steel upon which to preserve this wood. Now through using it you can fill it with even more sentimental value created by the memories you make with it.

Well done!

I look forward to seeing how it looks after you apply whatever finish treatment you decide to go with.

[MightyQ]

Thanks everyone! Yes I’m very pleased with it so far!

[RustyIron]

Lovely work!

[burlyspyder]

Looking good!

Check out my "Adventures in Mule scaling" thread to see updates on my wood scales. I plan on setting up a a few runs of handles once I get my process down.

Cheers, and happy woodworking!
-burly

[MightyQ]

Took the handle to the buffing wheel and wow! I love how it made it feel! Color is changing as well.

[TomAiello]

Fantastic work! That looks great!

Are you putting finish on the wood?

[MightyQ]

Fantastic work! That looks great!

Are you putting finish on the wood?

Yes! I will be! I’m thinking BLO but possibly something else with UV inhibitors to maintain the color. But might just finish the BLO treatment with some UV resistant wax.

[TomAiello]

I really like the look of that purple-izer that someone (bolster?) posted. I might have to try that. I'd love to see if I can combine that technique with stabilization somehow.

Definitely post some pictures with the BLO. :)

[MightyQ]

I really like the look of that purple-izer that someone (bolster?) posted. I might have to try that. I'd love to see if I can combine that technique with stabilization somehow.

Definitely post some pictures with the BLO. :)

Agreed it is a very cool invention, however since I’m in a sunny location I may just leave it by the window or something occasionally flipping it and see how that goes! And will do.

[MightyQ]

Soaked the handle in BLO for 24hours. Left it in the sun during the day to both warm it up and perhaps make it even more purple! Now I'm letting it dry out and will repeat the process the traditional way! I also found some UV resistant wax combo to rub on once finished! Excuse the dirty car roof.

[Xayaza]

Looking good! I see the purple starting to come out

[standy99]

Looks good….Great job.

As above, hope you get years of good use and enjoyment using something you have created.